Key Clarification by NMC

According to the official notice, the MBBS programme structure comprises:

• 4.5 years (54 months) of academic study

• 1 year of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI)

The NMC has explicitly stated that fees can only be charged for the 4.5-year academic period, as the internship phase does not involve formal classroom teaching.

The Commission emphasized that charging fees beyond this academic duration is inconsistent with the prescribed course structure and amounts to collecting money for a period that does not include academic instruction.

Background: Complaints Against Colleges

The directive follows multiple reports that medical colleges and universities were charging students for:

• The entire 5 or 5.5-year duration, including internship

• Additional internship-related fees, despite it being a training phase

Such practices, the NMC noted, unfairly increased the financial burden on students and violated established norms.

Legal and Regulatory Basis

The NMC grounded its clarification in:

• The National Medical Commission Act, 2019

• Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Guidelines, 2024

• Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER)

These frameworks clearly define the MBBS course as 4.5 years of academic learning followed by a one-year internship.

Additionally, the Commission cited key Supreme Court judgments, including:

• T.M.A. Pai Foundation vs State of Karnataka

• Islamic Academy of Education vs State of Karnataka

• P.A. Inamdar vs State of Maharashtra

These rulings establish that fee structures must be:

• Reasonable

• Transparent

• Non-exploitative

• Linked only to actual academic services provided

Supreme Court Observations and Internship Concerns

The NMC also referred to observations made by the Supreme Court in the Abhishek Yadav vs Union of India case, where issues such as:

• Non-payment of stipends during internships

• Charging fees for internship periods

were taken seriously by the apex court.

The Commission reiterated thatinternship is a practical training phase, not an academic teaching period, and therefore should not be billed as tuition.

Strict Warning to Institutions

Issuing a stern warning, the NMC has directed all medical colleges, institutions, and universities to:

• Immediately comply with the 4.5-year fee rule

• Stop charging fees for internship duration

• Follow all statutory and regulatory provisions

Any violation will attract strict regulatory action under applicable laws.

What This Means for MBBS Students

This clarification brings major relief for MBBS aspirants and students:

• Reduced financial burden due to elimination of internship fees

• Greater transparency in fee structures

• Protection against unfair and non-compliant practices

The move is expected to standardize fee practices across medical institutions in India and ensure that students pay only for actual academic instruction.

Key Takeaway

The NMC’s latest directive makes it clear:
- MBBS fees are applicable only for 4.5 years of academic study
-  No fees can be charged for the one-year compulsory internship

This step reinforces regulatory oversight and ensures fairness in medical education financing.