Aspiring medical students in the state will face a slight increase in fees when seeking admission to private unaided colleges this year. Most colleges have either maintained their fees or witnessed an increment of up to Rs 1 lakh per annum.
In certain colleges, the heightened scrutiny by the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) has resulted in a reduction in tuition fees. The additional fees in the institutional quota and NRI quota, which contribute to the colleges’ income, have been among the reasons for the fee hike in recent years.
Parents are expressing concerns about the affordability of these fees, as most colleges charge over Rs 10 lakh per annum, inclusive of caution deposits and other expenses.
For instance, Prakash Institute of Medical Sciences in Sangli, which saw a reduction of almost 40% in fees last year, has now increased to Rs 7.05 lakh per annum. Last year, the fees were reduced from Rs 8.4 lakh to Rs 4.84 lakh. An FRA official stated that the college underwent a review last year, and the final fee was fixed at Rs 5.75 lakh. This year, the college has witnessed the highest increase compared to others.
The FRA invites proposals for fee hikes from colleges and carefully examines their expenditure and balance sheets before determining the fees. While colleges propose an increase, the FRA approves it only if it is justified. The finalized fees are then documented in the FRA’s minutes, and colleges can request a review later. With the exception of two colleges, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Hospital in Pune and Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences in Palghar, the fees for all medical colleges are fixed for the 2023-24 session.
An FRA official mentioned, “For the last few years, we have been considering the higher fees charged under the NRI and institutional quotas as part of the colleges’ income, which has helped in maintaining stable fee hikes.” The decline in expenditure during the pandemic may have also contributed to the lower fee increases.
Students aspiring to join Kashibai Navale Medical College in Pune this year will have to pay a tuition fee of Rs 14.23 lakh, compared to last year’s Rs 13.91 lakh. Kashibai is among the colleges that charge relatively higher fees.
While the fees at a couple of colleges were at Rs 6 lakh a few years ago, they have now increased to Rs 8 lakh.
Parents, like Priya A, expressed their concerns, stating that although the tuition fees remain stable, some colleges impose higher caution money and other refundable deposits, which amount to several lakhs of rupees.
The increase in fees for unaided medical colleges has sparked discussions about the financial burden on medical aspirants and the need for affordable education opportunities in the field of medicine. As the authorities continue to review and regulate fees, it remains crucial to strike a balance between the quality of education provided and the financial feasibility for students and their families.
