NEET’s top two scorers: Protest is a right, reform is the answer

NEET’s top two scorers: Protest is a right, reform is the answer

 Manash.Gohain@timesofindia.com 23.07.2026

New Delhi : Aryan Gupta and Panshul Bansal felt the same anger and sense of injustice as lakhs of NEET-UG aspirants when the May-3 examination was cancelled after a paper leak. They believe students were within their rights to protest. But instead of joining the demonstrations, they stepped away from the noise, revitalised their will and prepared for the June 21 re-exam — a decision that took them to the top.

Both scored 715 out of 720, with Gupta securing All India Rank 1 and Bansal placed second under the tie-break rule. They now want computer-based testing (CBT), tighter security and two NEET attempts a year to help examinees avoid what they experienced this year. “Although it was unfair, it was not unfair only to me. It was unfair to everyone,” Gupta said, adding that he treated the re-test as a chance to improve his performance. He had expected around 696 marks in the first examination. 

The cancellation left him “devastated and disappointed”, but he focused on what remained in his control. Bansal did the same. As reports about the leak and protests multiplied, he stopped following the news for nearly two months because it was giving him “negative thoughts”. But both defended students’ right to demonstrate. “Protest and dissent are basic rights of a citizen. They are very essential for a democracy,” Gupta said. Bansal said his job was to prepare, while it was govt’s responsibility to repair the system. Their re-examination experience was better. 

Gupta said the June-21 test was conducted in a “much more secure and much better manner”, with police, an ambulance and firefighters at his centre. During the first test, invigilators kept speaking and shouting for nearly two hours. “During the second examination, decorum was maintained.”

NMC ends routine faculty eligibility clearances, puts onus on colleges

NMC ends routine faculty eligibility clearances, puts onus on colleges

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 

New Delhi : 19.07.2026

Medical colleges across the country will now decide faculty appointments and promotions on their own, with National Medical Commission (NMC) ending routine eligibility clearances. Only exceptional cases involving regulatory ambiguity will be taken up by regulator for a non-refundable fee of Rs 25,000 plus GST. 

The decision comes after the regulator observed that a large number of requests from faculty members, medical colleges, universities and NBEMS-accredited hospitals were being referred to it despite the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, clearly laying down the qualifications, teaching experience, research publication and training requirements for teaching posts. 

Officials said the responsibility for deciding whether a candidate is eligible for. promotion or designation rests with the appointing authority, medical institution or university concerned. Accordingly, Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) will no longer entertain cases where eligibility can be decided directly under the regulations. 

Only cases involving genuine ambiguity, difficulty in interpreting regulations, equivalence of qualifications or transitional provisions will be considered by PGMEB. Such references must be routed through the dean, director, principal or registrar of the institution with supporting documents.

Individuals may approach NMC directly only if their institution fails to forward a genuine case within 60 days, after fulfilling the prescribed conditions and paying the stipulated fee.

 “Many candidates approached the NMC even in straightforward cases because an NMC eligibility certificate was rarely questioned,” MARB president Prof M K Ramesh told TOI. NMC has also introduced a review mechanism for applicants dissatisfied with an institution’s decision.

With 15k MBBS seats, K’taka now leads medical edu race

With 15k MBBS seats, K’taka now leads medical edu race 

6 Govt Colleges File Appeals Seeking More

 Sruthy Susan Ullas & Srinivasa M | TNN 

Bengaluru :  19.07.2026

Karnataka has become the state with the highest number of MBBS seats in the country this year, with the total rising to 15,395. The tally could increase further, as six govt medical colleges have filed appeals seeking additional seats 

The latest increase comes from three govt colleges — HK Patil Institute of Medical Sciences, Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute, and Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences — each of which has been allotted 50 additional MBBS seats. 

Across the state’s 24 govt medical colleges, the existing intake stood at 4,250 seats. With the addition of 150 seats, the total govt MBBS intake has now risen to 4,400. 

Two new private medical colleges — Alva’s Institute of Medical Sciences and Chettinad Institute of Medical Education — have been granted 150 and 100 seats, respectively. In addition, 15 other private colleges have received approval for increased intake. 

PES University Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, and BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences have each been allotted 100 additional seats, while the remaining colleges have received 50 seats each. Altogether, private medical colleges have added 1,150 seats, taking their total MBBS intake to 10,995.

 “Compared to private medical colleges, only a handful of govt medical colleges have 250 seats despite handling a much larger patient load and higher admissions in their teaching hospitals. Increasing intake in govt colleges will benefit both Karnataka students and candidates under the All-India quota. The National Medical Commission (NMC) should consider this factor while increasing seats,” a medical education department official said.

 “Six govt colleges — in Karwar, Yadgir, Koppal, Haveri, Kodagu, and Shivamogga — have 1 appealed. We’re hopeful as NMC continues granting approvals until the last minute if the govt gives an undertaking to address deficiencies,” said Sujatha Rathod, director of medical education. 

The new seat matrix released by Medical Assessment and Rating Board of NMC shows that the intake at govt run Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) has increased from 150 to 200 seats. Farookh Academy of Medical Education Hospital and Research Institute, Mysuru, has also been permitted to raise its intake from 100 to 150 seats. 

MIMS director Dr Narashimhaswamy P said: “We will meet all the requirements stipulated by NMC for increasing the intake.” Last year, the annual MBBS intake at the century-old Mysore Medical College and Research Institute was increased from 200 to 250 seats. Another premier institution in the city, JSS Medical College, also has an annual intake of 250 seats. There is, however, no change in the annual intake of four other govt medical colleges in the region — Chikkamagaluru Institute of Medical Sciences, Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences and Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences. The Hassan institute continues to have an annual intake of 200 seats, while the other three colleges have 150 seats each.

NMC moves to allow for-profit med colleges Non Profit Tag May No Longer Be Mandatory

NMC moves to allow for-profit med colleges Non Profit Tag May No Longer Be Mandatory

Rema.Nagarajan@timesofindia.com 18.07.2026

For-profit medical colleges may become a reality if the draft amendments to National Medical Commission’s (NMC) regulations for establishing a new medical college go through.

The proposed amendments to Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Assessment & Rating Regulations, 2023, which were placed in the public domain on July 13, include one that will allow companies with the primary objective of profit generation to become eligible to establish medical colleges or medical institutions. Objections and suggestions to the draft are to be submitted within 30 days.

The 2023 regulation allowed only “Section 8 companies” to establish medical colleges. Under Section 8 of Companies Act, such a company is a non-profit organisation in which surpluses can only be reinvested in charitable objectives. The amendment will allow all companies incorporated under Companies Act, 2013, to start medical colleges.

In Jan 2017, the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI) amended Establishment of Medical College Regulations, 1999, to allow all companies registered under Companies Act, 1956, to be listed among organisations permitted to set up a medical college.

The same amendment notification also allowed any autonomous body/society/trust to be converted into a company. However, MCI was disbanded and replaced by NMC, constituted in Sept 2019. The fresh regulations for establishment of medical colleges drafted by NMC allowed only Section 8 companies to set up colleges.

In May 2017, Vedanta, the mining conglomerate, established the first private limited medical college, Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences, in Palghar through the entity Vedantaa Institutes of Academic Excellence Private Limited. The institute wrote to Maharashtra govt that since it was registered as a private company, it was allowed to make profits and that its fees did not require approval of the state fee regulatory authority. Though the institute was later forced to submit to fee regulation, its fees remain among the highest among private medical colleges in the state ( ₹15.7 lakh for management seats in 2025), barring deemed university colleges.

Ironically, fees charged by deemed university medical colleges, which are established by trusts and societies and are supposed to be non-profit, are among the highest, and states do not have any quota of seats with lower fees in these institutions. Fees charged by these colleges are not controlled by any regulatory body.

GOING EXTRA MILE: The 2023 regulation allowed only ‘Section 8 companies’ to establish medical colleges

NMC adds 950 MBBS seats to state roster Clears Decks For 9,911 More Seats In India

NMC adds 950 MBBS seats to state roster Clears Decks For 9,911 More Seats In India

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK 16.07.2026

Chennai : Medical colleges across Tamil Nadu together expanded MBBS seats by 950 this year, with 13 existing institutions raising their intake. A new private college, APS Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, was added to the roster with 150 seats, according to a seat matrix released by the National Medical Commission. 

The additions bring the state’s capacity to 13,999 seats across 78 medical colleges for the academic year 2026-27, up from 13,049 seats at 77 colleges. 

Across India, NMC has cleared the decks for 9,911 additional seats — including 2,111 seats in govt colleges. The list does not include central govt institutions such as AIIMS. Namakkal, Thiruvallur and Tirupur govt colleges each expanded their intake from 100 to 150 seats, adding 150 seats in the public sector, taking the seat tally in 37 govt colleges to 5,349. Among private institutions, NMC has permitted an increase of 800 seats, including the newcomer. 

Of these, 150 are added to three deemed universities. The remaining 650 will be added to the state matrix, for which the state selection committee will conduct admissions. The additions come as a consolation for a state that has lost 800 MBBS seats from its own counselling matrix after some self-financing colleges and private universities were granted deemed university status. Seats from at least four institutions are expected to be removed from the state list and included instead in the Central pool overseen by Medical Counselling Committee. 

Admission to deemed universities, conducted by the MCM, follows merit in NEET but has no reservations. The annual tuition fee is at about ₹20 lakh. In Tamil Nadu, selffinancing colleges and private universities offer up to 60% seats for govt quota, for which the selection committee follows 69% rule of reservation, and sets aside 7.5% seats for govt school students. 

The annual tuition fee varies from ₹4.35 lakh to ₹5.40 lakh for govt quota seats, and ₹15 lakh to ₹16.20 lakh for managementquota seats. The net effect may not be a squeeze, said a senior official. “150 seats in govt colleges and 650 from private colleges will be added in the state basket,” he added. Health minister K G Arunraj said the state is going ahead with negotiations and moving courts against the grant of deemed university status to some universities. “But the state will ensure new seats are added to the seat matrix,” he said.

NMC plans ban on medical seat hike if buildings not yet complete

NMC plans ban on medical seat hike if buildings not yet complete

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com   14.07.2026

REGULATORY TIGHTENING

New Delhi : Medical colleges will no longer be allowed to seek regulatory approval — for increasing MBBS seats — while their hospitals or academic buildings are still under construction, under amendments proposed by National Medical Commission (NMC). 

The draft regulations — to tighten norms for new medical colleges and MBBS seats —require institutions to have all prescribed infrastructure and statutory approvals in place before applying. Temporary arrangements for hospital and college buildings will no longer be permitted, and institutions with projects still under construction (“work-inprogress”) will not be considered for further processing. 

NMC has also proposed rejecting incomplete applications without giving institutions an opportunity to rectify deficiencies. Those applications lacking mandatory documents or other records specified by Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) will not be treated as valid proposals and may be rejected at the initial stage. 

Under the proposed amendments, applicants must submit a valid ‘consent of affiliation’ from a recognised university at the time of application. Solvency certificate based on the previous financial year, issued by a chartered accountant within 90 days before the application deadline, will also be mandatory.

In another significant change, new medical colleges, as well as those already functioning, will have to maintain a dedicated corpus fund for the operation of the institution. The amount will be decided by MARB and may be revised periodically, with colleges required to furnish documentary proof whenever asked. 

REGULATORY TIGHTENING

அரசு பள்ளி மாணவர்களுக்கு முக்கிய அறிவிப்பு! 7.5% மருத்துவ இடஒதுக்கீட்டுக்கு இனி பள்ளிக்கு செல்ல வேண்டிய அவசியமில்லை

அரசு பள்ளி மாணவர்களுக்கு முக்கிய அறிவிப்பு! 7.5% மருத்துவ இடஒதுக்கீட்டுக்கு இனி பள்ளிக்கு செல்ல வேண்டிய அவசியமில்லை

Published On: 10 Jul 2026, 7:05 AM

| By Santhosh Raj Saravanan

தமிழ்நாட்டில் 7.5 சதவீத அரசு பள்ளி மாணவர்களுக்கான சிறப்பு இடஒதுக்கீட்டின் கீழ் எம்பிபிஎஸ் (MBBS), பிடிஎஸ் (BDS) உள்ளிட்ட மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளுக்கு விண்ணப்பிக்கும் மாணவர்களுக்கு முக்கிய மாற்றம் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இனி Bonafide Certificate (போனஃபைட் சான்றிதழ்) பெறுவதற்காக பள்ளிகளுக்குச் சென்று அலைவதற்கான அவசியம் பெரும்பாலான மாணவர்களுக்கு இருக்காது. மாணவர்களின் பள்ளிக் கல்வி விவரங்கள் EMIS (Educational Management Information System) தரவுத்தளத்தின் மூலம் சரிபார்க்கப்படும் என்று மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கை வழிகாட்டுதலில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இந்த புதிய நடைமுறை மூலம் அரசு பள்ளி மாணவர்களின் விண்ணப்ப செயல்முறையை எளிமைப்படுத்துவதுடன், தேவையற்ற ஆவணச் சுமையையும் குறைப்பதே நோக்கமாகும். குறிப்பாக, 7.5 சதவீத உள்ஒதுக்கீட்டின் கீழ் மருத்துவப் படிப்பில் சேர விரும்பும் மாணவர்களுக்கு இது பெரிய நிவாரணமாகக் கருதப்படுகிறது.

யாருக்கு இந்தச் சலுகை? 2022–23 கல்வியாண்டு அல்லது அதற்குப் பிறகு அரசு பள்ளிகளில் 6-ஆம் வகுப்பு முதல் 12-ஆம் வகுப்பு வரை படித்த மாணவர்களின் கல்வி விவரங்கள் ஏற்கனவே EMIS தரவுத்தளத்தில் இருப்பதால், அவர்கள் தனியாக Bonafide Certificate சமர்ப்பிக்க வேண்டியதில்லை. அந்த விவரங்கள் மின்னணு முறையில் சரிபார்க்கப்படும்.

ஆனால், 2022–23-க்கு முன்பு மேல்நிலைப் பள்ளிப் படிப்பை முடித்தவர்கள், 7.5 சதவீத அரசு பள்ளி இடஒதுக்கீட்டின் பலனைப் பெற மாவட்ட முதன்மைக் கல்வி அலுவலரிடம் (CEO) இருந்து பெறப்படும் Bonafide Certificate-ஐ சமர்ப்பிக்க வேண்டும் என வழிகாட்டுதலில் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

7.5% இடஒதுக்கீடு யாருக்கெல்லாம்? தமிழ்நாட்டில் அரசு பள்ளிகளில் 6-ஆம் வகுப்பு முதல் 12-ஆம் வகுப்பு வரை முழுமையாகப் படித்து, NEET-UG தேர்வில் தகுதி பெற்ற மாணவர்களுக்கு மருத்துவம் மற்றும் பல் மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளுக்கான அரசு ஒதுக்கீட்டு இடங்களில் 7.5 சதவீத சிறப்பு முன்னுரிமை வழங்கப்படுகிறது. இந்தத் திட்டம் பொருளாதார ரீதியாக பின்தங்கிய அரசு பள்ளி மாணவர்கள் மருத்துவக் கல்வியில் அதிகளவில் சேர்வதை ஊக்குவிக்கும் நோக்கில் செயல்படுத்தப்பட்டு வருகிறது.

மருத்துவச் சேர்க்கைக்கு தேவையான முக்கிய ஆவணங்கள் மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கைக்கான ஆன்லைன் விண்ணப்பத்தில் மாணவர்கள் NEET மதிப்பெண் அட்டை, 10 மற்றும் 12-ஆம் வகுப்பு மதிப்பெண் சான்றிதழ்கள், மாற்றுச் சான்றிதழ் (TC), சமூகச் சான்றிதழ், தேவையான இடங்களில் இருப்பிடச் சான்று (Nativity Certificate) உள்ளிட்ட ஆவணங்களைப் பதிவேற்ற வேண்டும். அரசு பள்ளி 7.5% ஒதுக்கீட்டின் கீழ் விண்ணப்பிக்கும் மாணவர்களுக்கு EMIS சரிபார்ப்பு நடைமுறையின்படி Bonafide Certificate தேவையா என்பதை வழிகாட்டுதலின் அடிப்படையில் உறுதி செய்து கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

மாணவர்கள் கவனிக்க வேண்டியது மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கைக்கான விண்ணப்பத்தைப் பூர்த்தி செய்வதற்கு முன், தங்களது பள்ளிக் கல்வி விவரங்கள் EMIS பதிவுகளுடன் பொருந்துகிறதா என்பதை உறுதி செய்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். ஏதேனும் தகவல் பிழை இருந்தால், உடனடியாக சம்பந்தப்பட்ட பள்ளி அல்லது கல்வி அலுவலகத்தை அணுகி திருத்தம் மேற்கொள்வது நல்லது. மேலும், மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கை தொடர்பான அனைத்து அறிவிப்புகளையும் தமிழ்நாடு மருத்துவ மாணவர் தேர்வுக் குழுவின் அதிகாரப்பூர்வ இணையதளத்தில் தொடர்ந்து கவனிப்பது அவசியம்.

இந்த புதிய நடைமுறை, அரசு பள்ளி மாணவர்களின் மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கை செயல்முறையை மேலும் எளிமையாக்கும் முக்கிய நடவடிக்கையாக பார்க்கப்படுகிறது. குறிப்பாக, தேவையற்ற ஆவணங்களை பெற பல அலுவலகங்களுக்கு செல்ல வேண்டிய சிரமம் குறைவதுடன், ஆன்லைன் தரவு சரிபார்ப்பு மூலம் விண்ணப்ப செயல்முறை வேகமாகவும் வெளிப்படையாகவும் நடைபெறும் என கல்வி வட்டாரங்கள் கருதுகின்றன.

Med colleges repackage fees as NMC bars internship charges

Med colleges repackage fees as NMC bars internship charges 

Five-Year Fee Payable In 4.5 Years; Cost Unchanged 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK   11.07.2026

Chennai : Medical colleges are complying with the National Medical Commission’s April 2026 order barring tuition charges for the mandatory one-year MBBS internship. But instead of reducing costs, institutions have spread the same five-year fee total, or a higher amount, over 4.5 years, raising annual instalments while the overall payout stays the same — or higher. 

A revised fee chart published on the website of a deemed university for its 250 seat MBBS programme illustrates the pattern. Annual tuition fee now stands at ₹25 lakh, billed every year for 4.5 years — a total of ₹1.12 crore — up from ₹21.97 lakh paid across five instalments ( ₹1.09 crore) under the earlier structure. 

Under the NRI quota, students now pay US$52,000 per year, again compressed into 4.5 annual cycles, against US$46,800 per year paid over five instalments earlier. 

Hostel fees ( ₹1.9 lakh for non-AC, ₹2.6 lakh for AC accommodation), transport ( ₹1 lakh for air-conditioned buses) and refundable caution deposits of ₹25,000 each for college and hostel remain unchanged from prior years. 

Another university, which had allowed students to pay ₹28 lakh per year for five years — a total of ₹1.40 crore — has now told parents that if the same amount is paid over 4.5 years, the annual instalment will exceed ₹31 lakh. A third college has told parents it will allow the 4.5 year fee to be paid in five instalments instead of four. 

“It is framed as flexibility, though it changes nothing for families financially,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. Fees for self-financing colleges and private universities are fixed by the state fee fixation committee, but there is no cap on fees charged by deemed universities. 

NMC said colleges cannot ask students to pay fees during their internship year. Last week, state health minister K G 1 Arunraj said the govt will ensure all medical colleges fell in line. “Complaints against management charging additional fees, or those not paying a stipend, can be made anonymously on the state helpline 104,” he said.

State government to take legal action over deemed university status for three private medical colleges

State government to take legal action over deemed university status for three private medical colleges

Health Minister K.G. Arunraj

at the inauguration of the NalamAI WhatsApp chatbot service.B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI. 09.07.2026

With three private medical colleges obtaining ‘deemed to be university’ status, Tamil Nadu will lose 461 medical seats from the State quota, Health Minister K.G. Arunraj said on Wednesday. He added that the State government was exploring legal action, and would file a writ petition soon.

Two days ago, the State government came to know from the website of the National Medical Commission that Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital, and St. Peter’s Medical College had been granted deemed university status, he said.

As a result, the State will lose 461 seats from its pool, Dr. Arunraj said, adding: “These institutions will no longer be required to follow the reservation policy, 7.5% horizontal reservation for government school students, or adhere to the fee structure prescribed by the State government. Instead, they could fill MBBS and BDS seats independently.” Additionally, 35 seats under the 7.5% quota would be lost, he said.

The State government will also take up the issue with the Centre to make a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the State government mandatory for private medical colleges to obtain deemed university status, he said.

“Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and Srinivasan Medical College are owned by DMK MLA Kathiravan. As they fall under the Tamil Nadu Private University category, they did not apply for NOC with the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, and applied directly to the University Grants Commission,” he told reporters after inaugurating facilities at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.

The deemed university status had been granted to St. Peter’s Medical College, Hosur, subject to an appeal filed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, he said. Karpaga Vinayaga Medical College had also applied for the status, he added.

Explaining the process, the Minister said private institutions seeking deemed university status must first obtain an NOC from their affiliated university. The affiliated university is required to issue the NOC within 60 days, failing which it shall be deemed to have been granted as per UGC rules.

In June 2023, the Karpaga Vinayaga institution, which has an engineering college and a medical college, had applied to Anna University and Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University for an NOC. 

However, no action was taken for 60 days. The NOC was issued in September 2023 during the previous regime, and the same was revoked two months later. The institution approached the High Court, and in April 2025, the court ruled that as the NOC was not issued within 60 days, it was deemed to have been issued as per UGC rules. No appeal was filed against the order by the previous government, he said.

The Minister also launched NalamAI, a WhatsApp chatbot service. The service, available on 96192 22999, has been introduced in 22 districts, where the public can generate the outpatient slips without having to wait in queues.

Four pvt colleges exploited legal loopholes: Min ‘Owned By DMK, AIADMK Leaders’

Four pvt colleges exploited legal loopholes: Min ‘Owned By DMK, AIADMK Leaders’ 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK    09.07.2026

Chennai : At least four private colleges that exploited legal loopholes to gain deemed university status, sidestepping the state’s seat-sharing rules and fee caps, are managed or owned by leaders of DMK or AIADMK, health minister K G Arunraj said Wednesday. 

At least 462 govt-quota MBBS seats and 35 seats reserved for govt-school students under the 7.5% quota, along with management-quota and BDS seats, are likely to be stripped from the state’s seat matrix, since allotments to deemed universities are made by the Centre’s medical counselling committee.

 “Two more colleges have applied for deemed status,” Arunraj said. First, two of the colleges by passed the state altogether, going straight to national regulators for approval. Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Medical Sciences and Srinivasan Medical College, both previously classified as state private universities, were granted deemed status without the state’s knowledge; the govt learnt of it only two days ago, Arunraj said. 

The state will move a writ petition seeking cancellation of the new status. “The college owned by DMK MLA S Kathiravan (Manachanallur) never applied for an NOC, yet it is listed as a deemed university. They used procedural loopholes to bypass the process and approached the UGC directly,” Arunraj said. 

“They violated state rights and social justice. “They are denying meritorious and govt school students their seats,” he added. The DMK govt also ignored mandatory procedures and failed to act on legal options in time. Karpaga Vinayaga sought clearance from Anna University for its engineering programmes and Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University for its medical college, on June 7, 2023. But neither responded within the mandated 60-day window. “So, as per the rules, it was deemed granted. Three months later, the DMK govt issued the NOC. 

For reasons unclear, it was revoked two months later. The college moved the court and got an order in its favour since no reply was given within 60 days. The govt did not appeal the ruling,” Arunraj said. St Peter’s Medical College’s application was decided within the mandated period in Dec 2023; but it was communicated six days late. The college moved Delhi high court and secured a favourable order. The state has appealed against this order, he said. Two other institutions received no response within the deadline, and their NOCs were deemed granted by default. 

The minister called the pattern evidence of political bias in vetting such applications. The state will negotiate with the Centre for legislative amendments while pursuing that legal route. “We want the govt to withdraw the amendments issued in the May 2026 notification and amend the UGC Act to restore state powers,” he said. 

A permanent fix would require moving education to the state list. But as an interim step, the state is pursuing fee caps for deemed-university colleges and seat-sharing arrangements similar to Karnataka’s system, he said. Students facing excessive fees or denied stipends at these institutions can file anonymous complaints with the state’s 104 helpline, the minister added

TN mulls legal action over deemed univ tag for med colleges

TN mulls legal action over deemed univ tag for med colleges 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 08.07.2026

Chennai : Tamil Nadu is considering legal action, including moving the Supreme Court early next week, after some medical colleges in the state were granted ‘deemed university’ status — a change that could wipe out state quota seats and reshape access to medical education across the region.

Officials said that while 650 MBBS seats are likely to be removed from the state’s seat matrix since allotments to deemed universities are handled by the Centre, three more colleges have told the govt that they are expected to be added to the list soon. These institutions will no longer be obligated to reserve seats for students admitted through the state’s counselling process. “This will mean at least 700 govt quota seats, and more than 50 seats meant for govt school students, will be affected,” a senior health department official said. 

On Tuesday, after day-long discussions with legal experts, a senior legal officer questioned how these institutions were granted the permission, since UGC norms for this status require a high NAAC grade across three cycles, or NBA accreditation for two thirds of programmes, or a top  100 overall or top-50 discipline-specific NIRF ranking for three consecutive years. 

While a legal challenge may take months to resolve, student counsellors and academicians have urged the govt to rein in fees at deemed institutions, as directed by the HC. The state has no control over fees charged by deemed universities, since they fall outside state fee committee’s purview. Under the existing structure, the committee fixed annual MBBS tuition for govt quota seats in self-financing colleges and private universities at ₹4.35 lakh to ₹5.40 lakh, and for management-quota seats at ₹15 lakh to ₹16.2 lakh. 

The Centre has not fixed tuition fees for deemed universities, which charge between ₹20 lakh and ₹35 lakh a year. “Earlier, an association of private universities moved the court to prevent this from being implemented. For some reason, that case was withdrawn. So the state or the Centre must now implement the high court order,” said N Narendran, a NEET coach.  If the govt cannot immediately regulate fees, experts want it to adopt Karnataka’s approach.

 “In Karnataka, deemed universities continue sharing seats with the state govt despite their elevated status. At least six of the 12 deemed universities share around 188 seats with the state quota, at fees ranging from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. “That’s one way to ensure meritorious and govt school students passing out this year are not punished,” he said. 

“For many meritorious students from modest backgrounds, this is a critical pathway into medicine, as they can only afford subsidised, govt-regulated seats,” he added. The state medical university, meanwhile, is appealing to UGC and NMC, stating that it never issued a no-objection certificate for the change in affiliation to these institutions.

TN may lose 650 MBBS seats, admissions to get tougher, fees set to soar. State health officials say deemed university status granted despite no NOCs

TN may lose 650 MBBS seats, admissions to get tougher, fees set to soar

 

Pushpa.Narayan@timesofindia.com 07.07.2026

Chennai : 07.07.2026

Getting admitted in acollege in Tamil Nadu will be harder and more expensive this academic year. At least 650 MBBS seats will be removed from the state’s seat matrix in 2026, as three colleges have been conferred deemed university status. Officials in the health department said the number could double, as at least three more colleges have told the state they are expecting University Grants Commission’s approval soon.

 Admissions to all self-financing medical colleges affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University and state private universities are done by the state selection committee. The National Medical Commission website now lists St Peter’s Medical College (250 seats) and two other institutions — Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Medical Sciences and Srinivasan Medical College (400 seats) — as deemed universities. 

 State health officials say deemed university status granted despite no NOCs

 A senior health official said, “Until now, these institutions shared 50-65% of seats with the state for admission under govt quota, including 7.5% for govt school students. At least 350 govt quota seats, including 25 under the 7.5% quota, will be a big loss.” 

If three more colleges are granted deemed university status, the number will cross 700 govt quota seats and 50 seats under the 7.5% quota. Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre has announced deemed status on its website, while NMC’s records still list it as affiliated to TN Dr MGR Medical University. 

Admission to MBBS seats in deemed universities is done by the central Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), for students across the country. Besides competing with students nationwide, aspirants will have to pay at least ₹20 lakh a year as tuition fees. Under the existing fee structure, annual tuition at private colleges has been fixed by a panel at ₹4.35 lakh to ₹5.40 lakh for govtquota seats in self-financing colleges and state private universities, and ₹15 lakh to ₹16.20 lakh for managementquota seats. 

Fees for students from govt colleges is paid by the govt. Centre has not fixed a tuition fee for deemed universities, which charge anywhere between ₹20 lakh and ₹35 lakh a year. State health officials said they would write to Centre stating that deemed university status has been granted to affiliated colleges despite objections from the state university. 

Ever since the TN Dr MGR Medical University vice-chancellor stepped down in May, the university has been managed by a five-member committee. “No objection certificate from the university is mandatory to get deemed university status. We have not issued it to anyone,” said Dr S Pushkala, member of the university’s administration committee. 

Officials from St Peter Institute of Higher Education and Research said the status came after a legal battle. The institution moved Delhi high court against UGC and TN Dr MGR Medical University after its bid to convert its Hosur medical college into an off-campus centre was blocked. In 2025, HC ruled in the institution’s favour on a narrow procedural ground — the university’s refusal letter, though dated within the mandatory 60-day window, was communicated to the college six days after the deadline lapsed.

 HC held the university’s consent was deemed granted by default, and quashed UGC’s rejection and the university’s NOC refusal. “We have appealed against this order. We don’t know how other colleges got deemed university status,” said Dr Pushkala. 

The state health department said it applied to NMC for increase in 50 seats each in govt medical colleges in Tirupur, Tiruvallur and Namakkal. “The inspections have been completed. We are awaiting their nod,” a senior official said. 

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Supreme Court dismisses plea raising concerns that EWS candidates can't afford private medical college fees

Supreme Court dismisses plea raising concerns that EWS candidates can't afford private medical college fees

The Court refused to interfere with a Rajasthan High Court ruling that EWS reservation applies only at the stage of admission and does not entitle candidates to subsidised fees in private medical colleges.

Supreme Court

 

Debayan Roy

Published on:

24 Jun 2026, 1:37 pm

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea questioning how the ₹8 lakh income ceiling for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) candidates could be reconciled with the high fees demanded by private medical colleges, which could run up to ₹25 lakh annually [Harshvardhan Singh v. State of Rajasthan & Ors].

A Bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Joymalya Bagchi upheld a Rajasthan High Court ruling, which had found the fee structure fixed by the State Fee Regulatory Committee to be legally valid.

During the hearing today, Justice Nagarathna also observed that private colleges cannot be expected to offer its courses at subsidised fees like government colleges.

“You cannot say private educational institutions shall charge the same as government institution. That cannot be. One person cannot come and say that private is exorbitant, so make it like government. These are self-financing institutes. For government ones...they get grant (subsidies) from the State. There is a vital difference,” the judge observed.

 

Justice BV Nagarathna & Justice Joymalya Bagchi

Referring to established precedent, Justice Nagarathna added,

“Please see TMA Pai (caselaw). Capitation fee is banned...but that does not mean general college fees cannot be taken.”

The Court also cautioned against undermining the role of private institutions in medical education.

“Assistance of private medical colleges to the State in the field of medical education will stop then...We need doctors,” said Justice Nagarathna.

On the issue of affordability when it comes to private college fee structures, she remarked,

“If you are unable to pay...get scholarship...subvention...”

The plea had been filed by an EWS candidate who submitted that tuition fees in private medical colleges in Rajasthan range between ₹18.9 lakh and ₹25 lakh per year. This, he argued, effectively renders the EWS quota ineffective in practice, as candidates within the ₹8 lakh income bracket cannot realistically afford such education.

The Rajasthan High Court had rejected this contention, noting that the fee structure had been fixed by the State Fee Regulatory Committee in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Islamic Academy of Education v. State of Karnataka.

It had held that EWS reservation applies only at the stage of admission and does not create any entitlement to subsidised or differential fees in private colleges.

The High Court had further observed that the absence of any statutory provision mandating fee concessions meant that high fees, by themselves, could not be treated as a denial of EWS reservation, even if they limited practical access for eligible candidates.

Today the Supreme Court refused to interfere with this ruling.

“We don't find reason to intervene with the High Court order. Dismissed. Question of law, if any, is kept open," the top court said.

We need doctors in this country’: SC dismisses plea seeking cap on private medical college fees

We need doctors in this country’: SC dismisses plea seeking cap on private medical college fees

Court upholds Rajasthan HC order, refuses directions on fee regulation despite concerns over affordability for EWS candidates.

Petitioner argued annual fees of up to ₹25 lakh undermine EWS reservation benefits; court says issue falls within regulators’ domain.(File Photo | ANI)

Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty

Updated on:

25 Jun 2026, 7:56 am

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to interfere with the fee structure of the private medical colleges in Rajasthan, observing that “we need doctors in this country” while dismissing a petition that called the charges exorbitant.

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi heard a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging a Rajasthan High Court order. The HC had earlier rejected a plea by a medical aspirant claiming annual tuition fees in private colleges range from `18.90 lakh to `25 lakh, which, he said, was inconsistent with the `8 lakh income cap for EWS reservation.

“We need doctors in this country,” said the top court while refusing to entertain a plea which alleged that the fee structure in private medical colleges in Rajasthan was exorbitant.

The counsel argued that high fees made MBBS unaffordable for EWS candidates despite quotas and urged the court to direct the state and Centre to cap fees at affordable levels.

The bench, however, declined to step in and refused to pass any order on the plea. “Medical education requires infrastructure, faculty, and equipment. Fee fixation is a policy decision for regulators,” it said while dismissing the plea.

Noting that fee regulation falls within the domain of the state authorities and bodies like the Medical Council, the SC clarified that judicial interference is warranted only if there is manifest illegality or arbitrariness, which was not shown here in this present case. “One person cannot say that it is exorbitant in private institutions and make it on par with government institutions,” the bench observed.

The bench observed that one has the option to avail a scholarship. “We need doctors in this country,” it said. “We don’t find any reason to interfere with the impugned order passed by the high court. The special leave petition is dismissed. Question of law, if any, is kept open,” the bench said.

With this, the SC upheld the High Court’s order. No directions were issued to the Centre, Rajasthan government, or MCI/NMC on fee caps.

The petitioner is a general category candidate, who possesses an EWS certificate. He felt aggrieved that the counseling board allocated him a seat in a private college despite he giving preference for 73 colleges.

He argued that EWS students were charged the same fee as other general category students, thus making medical education unaffordable to the EWS students. He also relied on a National Medical Commission notice, which stated that 50 per cent of seats in private colleges should be at par with government colleges.

EWS student allotted general MBBS seat, college demands ₹19L annual fee

EWS student allotted general MBBS seat, college demands ₹19L annual fee

 Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesofindia.com 25.06.2026

New Delhi : Supreme Court on Wednesday said that private medical colleges can not be prevented from charging higher fees than govt ones and forcing them to do so would result in their closure and harm to medical education. 

The bench while hearing a plea by an EWS student who was allotted a general category seat in a private medical college where he would be required to pay nearly ₹19 lakh as annual tuition fee, noted that the private medical colleges are barred from taking capitation fees and are selffinancing. 

“The annual tuition fee cannot be the same in a private medical college and a govt one. In the self-financing private colleges, every expense is to be borne by the colleges whereas the govt subsidies the expenses in the colleges under it”, said Justice Nagarathna. 

“The private colleges are also contributing in the field of higher education, including in the medical stream. If they are asked to take fees at govt rate, then they will close down and the medical education would suffer. If other states have implemented the EWS quota and if Rajasthan has not done it, the courts cannot direct private colleges to reduce fees”, she said. 

The petitioner whose parents have an annual income of less than ₹8 lakh, cleared NEET-UG 2025, said that he was “arbitrarily” allotted a general category seat in a private medical college and that ₹19 lakh being demanded of him was way beyond his means. His counsel said, “Non implementation of the mandatory 10% EWS reservation by providing only 12 EWS seats in the college having 150 seats diluting the constitutional mandate and prejudicing the Petitioner who was given admission in unreserved category despite having validly applied in EWS category.

Pvt colleges, deemed univs launch digi regn drives ahead of NEET counselling

Pvt colleges, deemed univs launch digi regn drives ahead of NEET counselling

Experts warn Of Backdoor Admissions, Fee Deals

Pushpa.Narayan@timesofindia.com 25.06.2026

Chennai : Weeks before NEET counselling for undergraduate medical admissions begins, private medical colleges and deemed universities have quietly launched digital registration portals for MBBS aspirants — a practice academicians and student counsellors say has no legal standing and could pave the way for backdoor admissions and under-the-table fee arrangements. 

The registrations, once conducted discreetly on campuses, have now moved online. Under the existing regulatory framework, admissions to MBBS seats are governed exclusively by state and central counselling committees. After NEET-UG results are declared, the Medical Counselling Committee under the Directorate General of Health Services, New Delhi, allots candidates to central institutions, deemed universities and 15% of state medical college seats, based on merit in NEET, reservation norms and student preference. 

State committees allot candidates to the remaining 85% of govt seats and all seats in self-financing and state private colleges. Colleges are barred from directly admitting students. Yet, the portals ask prospective candidates to submit personal details — name, address, mobile number, NEET admit card number and scores. “Some parents assume early registration will help their children secure seats,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. “Colleges then meet parents, offer financial incentives such as fee discount of up tos 5 lakh a year and ask them to pay a part of the fee in advance. 

They also help them fill admission forms in ways that could steer allotments toward the college," he said. These arrangements can affect merit, he said.  

A parent said a college official promised a discount of up to 5 lakh a year — on annual fees that already run as high as 30 lakh — in exchange for early registration. “I decided to pay and pick the seat in the first round of counselling. But my son's teacher warned me I could lose the money,” said Varadharajan S, who works for an IT firm.

Philippines MD degree meets NMC norms: Indian Embassy

Philippines MD degree meets NMC norms: Indian Embassy 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

22.06.2026

The Indian Embassy in Manila has once again clarified that the Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme offered by HEIs recognised by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines complies with key academic requirements prescribed under India’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, providing fresh clarity for Indian students considering medical education in the country. 

In an advisory issued recently, the embassy said CHED had informed that the MD programme offered by recognised institutions satisfies the NMC requirements, including a 54-month medical course, mandatory subjects prescribed by the NMC, English as the medium of instruction, and a compulsory 12-month internship conducted in the same institution or its affiliated hospital. 

The clarification comes amid growing interest among Indian students in overseas medical education and uncertainty over the recognition of foreign medical qualifications under India’s revised regulatory framework. The embassy further noted that House of Representatives of the Philippines adopted Resolution No. 73 in March 2026, endorsing that MD degrees awarded by CHED-recognised institutions are compliant with NMC norms. 

The resolution also states that graduates of these programmes, including foreign nationals, are eligible for practice of medicine in the Philippines after qualifying PLE and complying with immigration requirements

NMC proposes to reinstate 10-year rule in MBBS without diluting rigour

NMC proposes to reinstate 10-year rule in MBBS without diluting rigour

The proposed relaxation is likely to benefit students facing academic losses, and health concerns, offering them more flexibility 

Rajlakshmi.Ghosh@timesofindia.com 08.06.2026 EDUCATION TIMES 

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed a key amendment to the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, which could give MBBS students an additional year to complete their undergraduate medical education, taking the total duration to 10 years. The draft notification, titled ‘Graduate Medical Education (Amendment) Regulations, 2026’, has been placed in the public domain for feedback and objections. 

Under the existing regulations, students are required to complete the MBBS programme within nine years from the date of admission. The proposed amendment seeks to extend this limit to 10 years, including the compulsory rotating medical internship, offering students greater flexibility to manage academic, personal, or unforeseen challenges during the programme. 

Speaking to Education Times , NMC officials say, “The proposed amendment seeks to provide limited additional flexibility to students for completion of the MBBS programme in exceptional circumstances, while fully preserving the academic standards and competency requirements prescribed under the Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER) 2023. The amendment does not reduce, dilute or waive any academic requirement. Students will continue to be required to successfully complete all professional examinations, mandatory competencies and the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship before being awarded the MBBS degree. 

The proposal merely extends the maximum permissible period for completion of the course from nine years to 10 years.” Medical education being a long-duration programme, students may occasionally face genuine academic, personal, health-related or other unforeseen circumstances that interrupt the normal progression of their studies. “The proposed amendment is intended to address such situations in a humane and pragmatic manner without compromising educational standards,” the officials add. 

A former NMC official on condition of anonymity, points out that the proposed amendment will be beneficial for students from rural Rajasthan, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who have entered medical education through NEET but struggle to follow lessons in English. “The additional year can be a critical buffer, reducing the risk of students dropping out early due to language barriers,” he adds. 

Cap on Attempts 

Under the proposed changes, no student will be allowed more than four attempts to clear the first professional MBBS examination, a provision that remains unchanged. However, students would be allowed to continue the undergraduate medical course for up to 10 years from the date of admission, including the internship period. 

This is in alignment with the NMC’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) regulations, 2021. “A cap of four attempts in the first professional exam is unjustified, more so if students are in their first year and are still new to the system. If all MBBS students are given one year’s additional time, then why restrict them at a crucial stage?

 Further, the proposal will give private players an opportunity to blackmail students if they have faltered on fee payment. The cap could be used as a tool to instil fear among them with threats of imminent failure if they do not pay up,” the source adds. 

The proposed relaxation which seeks to bring back the 10-year rule, is likely to benefit students facing academic losses, health concerns, personal emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances, offering them more flexibility to complete their medical education without losing eligibility