Issue of exorbitant medical fees raised in parliament – The burning issue of fees for medical colleges remaining out of reach for most middle class families was brought up in parliament where solutions were sought to resolve the problem.

 

In case of Government medical colleges, the respective State Governments are responsible for fixation of fees. However, in the case of private unaided medical colleges, the fee structure is decided by a Committee set up by the respective State Governments under the Chairmanship of a retired High Court Judge in pursuance of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. It is for the Committee to decide whether the fee hike proposed by an Institute is justified and the fee fixed by the Committee is binding on the Institute.

 

With the passage of Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Act, 2016, a uniform entrance examination for admission to Undergraduate and Postgraduate medical courses in the country viz. National Eligibility–cum–Entrance Test (NEET) has been introduced from the Academic Year 2016-17. It would help curb malpractices in medical admissions especially in private medical colleges, will lead to greater transparency and ensure better standards of Medical Education.

 

Further, Medical Council of India with the prior approval of the Central Government has notified amendment in Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997 and Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 for prescribing mandatory combined counseling for admission to all UG and PG medical courses.

 

Also see : NEET Exam 2019