Lok Sabha Question No. 1366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-06
Subject: High Fee for MBBS Students
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ramprit Mandal

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1366 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## HIGH FEE FOR MBBS STUDENTS

## †1366. SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Indian students are forced to migrate to foreign countries to study medicine due to high fees, especially in private medical colleges and the tedious admission process for MBBS in the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government intends to improve the expensive medical education and affordable education to students from economically weaker sections; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (d): The government has made concerted efforts on expanding the medical college infrastructure under various CSS Schemes over last one decade so that medical education becomes more affordable. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare administers a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals' with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. A total of 157 Medical Colleges have been approved in the various districts across the country. Further, support has also been provided for Strengthening/Upgradation of existing Sate Government/Central Government medical colleges to increase the number of MBBS (UG) and PG seats under another CSS Scheme. Under these schemes, additional 4977 MBBS seats and 8058 PG seats have been approved in medical colleges across the country.

As reported by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the number of Medical Colleges have increased by 111.36 % from 387 in 2013-14 to 818 at present. Further, it has been informed that MBBS seats have increased by 151.18%, from 51,348 before 2013-14 to 128,976 at present, while postgraduate (PG) seats have increased by 172.63%, from 31,185 before 2014

to 85,020 currently, thereby contributing to improved accessibility to medical education.

The fee structure for MBBS course differs from State to State in Government / Private Medical Colleges as per the guidelines issued by concerned State Fee Regulatory Authorities. Further, Government continuously endeavours to make medical education more affordable and prevent its commercialization. In order to make medical education affordable and accessible in the country, the fee structure of Government medical colleges is subsidized. In accordance with the provision of the Constitution (103rd Amendment Act, 2019), there is a reservation of 10% in UG/PG medical seats for economically weaker sections of the society.

Guidelines have been framed under clause (i) of Sub- section (1) of section 10 of National Medical Commission Act, 2019 for determination of fees and all other charges in respect of 50% of seats in private medical institutions and deemed to be universities which were issued by National Medical Commission on 03.02.2022. However, the guidelines have been challenged in various courts and are subjudice.

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