The Kerala High Court ruled that the Fee Regulatory Committee can fix fees only for the prescribed duration of an MBBS course [1].
This decision restricts the regulatory power of the committee and affects how private medical institutions charge students who may extend their studies beyond the standard timeframe. The ruling provides a legal boundary for fee structures in medical education within the state.
The court delivered the ruling in response to a petition filed by the Kerala Private Medical College Managements’ Association [1]. The association sought clarity on the extent of the committee's authority to mandate tuition costs.
The decision stems from a statement by the National Medical Commission, which clarified that the Fee Regulatory Committee's mandate is limited to the prescribed duration of the MBBS course [1]. The commission said that the committee cannot fix fees for periods beyond that established timeframe.
By aligning its ruling with the National Medical Commission's stance, the court has ensured that the regulatory body does not exceed its statutory limits. This prevents the committee from imposing fee caps on extended periods of study that fall outside the standard curriculum duration [1].
“The Fee Regulatory Committee can fix fees only for the prescribed duration of an MBBS course.”
This ruling establishes a legal ceiling on the Fee Regulatory Committee's jurisdiction, preventing it from controlling costs for students who take longer than the standard term to complete their medical degrees. It shifts the financial dynamic for private medical colleges, potentially allowing them more flexibility in pricing for extended study periods while maintaining regulated rates for the core duration of the degree.
