NMC Notice 2026: Medical Colleges Directed to Charge MBBS Fees for 4.5 Years Only

In a massive relief for undergraduate medicos and their families, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a strict public directive ordering all medical colleges, universities, and institutions to cap MBBS tuition fees strictly at the 4.5-year academic duration.

The End of “Internship Fees”

The NMC stepped in after receiving widespread complaints that several private medical colleges were exploiting students by charging tuition fees for the entire 5 or 5.5 years of the degree. The NMC categorically clarified that the final one year is dedicated to the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI). Since no formal academic classroom teaching is imparted during this phase, charging tuition fees for the internship period is entirely unjustified.

Supreme Court Guidelines Enforced

Citing Section 10 and Section 24 of the NMC Act, 2019, and the newly framed CBME Guidelines 2024, the commission pointed to recent Supreme Court rulings to back its stance. The apex court has repeatedly held that educational fee structures must be transparent, non-exploitative, and directly proportionate to the academic facilities actively rendered.

Strict Action Against Defaulters

The NMC has issued a stern warning to all Chief Secretaries, Directorates of Medical Education, and college deans across states and Union Territories. Any medical institution found violating this directive and continuing to charge for the 5.5-year duration will face severe, immediate regulatory action under existing statutory laws.

Read full notice here: