‘Med college makes hostel stay mandatory, seeks extra 8.2L’

‘Med college makes hostel stay mandatory, seeks extra 8.2L’ 

29.09.2026

Chennai: Students allotted seats at private medical colleges in the state have written to Directorate of Medical Education, saying they were told after allotment that the MBBS programme was fully residential and would cost an extra 8.2 lakh. 

“We received complaints that students were asked to pay excess fees, including hostel charges. Complaints were forwarded to the fee committee for further action,” said selection committee secretary Dr V Lokanayaki. The fee fixation committee decides annual tuition fees for private institutions, excluding deemed universities. 

For 2026, MBBS tuition fees in private colleges range from 4.35 lakh to 5.4 lakh for govt-quota seats in self-financing colleges and state private universities, and from 15 lakh to 16.2 lakh for management seats. 

Parents said Kanyakumari Medical Mission Medical College and Research Centre made hostel accommodation compulsory while admissions were under way. “My niece chose this college because she can stay at my place. Her travel time will be just half an hour. Why should she stay at a hostel for 8.27 lakh? If they had informed us about this before counselling, we would not have opted for a seat here,” said S Sarala. 

The college, a constituent of St Joseph University, told parents that it has made it mandatory for MBBS students to stay in approved hostels for the four-and-a-half-year course and the one-year internship. Attempts to reach the college administration by TOI were unsuccessful. 

“Doctors at the college told parents the policy was intended to ensure academic continuity, clinical training, safety, and discipline. Parents were surprised by this decision when they came to pay the fees,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. 

The National Medical Commission said colleges cannot make hostel accommodation mandatory. Senior officials confirmed that while colleges must provide accommodation, students are not obliged to live on campus or pay hostel fees if they live elsewhere. 

“Complaints are filed every year. The selection committee forwards them to the fee committee, but no action is taken. Colleges then target students who complain. The selection committee must amend its rules to gain powers to act on complaints,” Arumugam said. 

Times News Network 

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