NMC Mandates Transparent Disclosure of Course Fees and Stipends in All Medical Colleges

In a significant move to promote transparency and accountability in India’s medical education system, the , junior residents (JRs), and senior residents (SRs) on their official weNational Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a directive mandating all medical colleges to publish their course-wise fee structure and stipend details for internsbsites. This measure, which aligns with recent Supreme Court rulings and existing NMC regulations, aims to protect students from hidden charges and irregularities in stipend disbursements.

Public Notice in Response to Supreme Court Judgments

The NMC’s directive, released via a public notice, follows critical observations made by the Supreme Court of India in two significant cases concerning fee disclosure and stipend irregularities.

In the April 29, 2025 judgment in the case State of Uttar Pradesh and Ors. vs. Miss Bhavna Tiwari and Ors., the apex court emphasized mandatory disclosure of tuition fees, hostel charges, caution deposits, and all miscellaneous charges by private and deemed universities, specifically before counselling sessions. This legal mandate was introduced to safeguard prospective medical students from being blindsided by unexpected and often unjustified expenses after admission.

In another case — Writ Petition No. 730 of 2022 (Abhishek Yadav and Ors. vs. Army College of Medical Sciences and Ors.) — the Court noted non-payment of stipends and the illegal imposition of internship fees. In response, interim directions were issued to ensure fairness and financial accountability on the part of medical institutions.

Google Form for Uniform Disclosure and Monitoring

To facilitate systematic and centralized monitoring, the NMC has developed a Google Form that all approved medical colleges must complete. The form requires institutions to submit:

• Course-wise tuition fees
• Hostel charges
• Caution deposit
• Any other miscellaneous fees
• Stipend amounts paid to MBBS interns, JRs, and SRs

This data must be entered within seven days of issuing the public notice on the NMC website.

While some colleges have already uploaded such details to the Intra MCC portal, the NMC has noted that these disclosures are often incomplete or not comprehensive. The new system is designed to eliminate ambiguity and set a uniform benchmark for all colleges under the Commission’s jurisdiction.

Penalties for Non-Compliance: Strict Measures Ahead

The NMC has clearly stated that non-compliance will invite regulatory action. Institutions that fail to disclose the required information face:

• Show-cause notices
• Financial penalties
• Withdrawal of course recognition
• Suspension of admissions

This is by Regulation 4.3 of the PGMER, 2023, which states that all medical colleges must disclose course fees during the seat matrix submission stage. If the data is not provided, the seat in question will not be counted during counselling. Furthermore, any collection of undisclosed or unapproved fees will be deemed unauthorized and subject to punitive action.

Stipend Transparency: Interns and Residents Protected

The NMC directive also reaffirms that stipends must be paid as determined by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution or university concerned. This is a crucial safeguard for MBBS interns and resident doctors who often face inconsistent or delayed stipend payments. The directive ensures that no medical trainee is deprived of rightful financial support during their service period.

In this context, the NMC’s instructions ensure:

• Standardized stipend structures across institutions
• Elimination of arbitrary or delayed payments
• Clarity on who qualifies for stipend support
• Alignment with judicial mandates

Aligning with Ethical and Fair Medical Education Practices

The NMC reiterated that these steps are part of its broader mission to foster a fair, ethical, and transparent environment in medical education. The regulatory body overseeing quality standards across India's medical colleges has been actively working to curb exploitative practices that adversely impact students.

By enforcing financial disclosure and addressing stipend-related grievances, the NMC aims to build institutional accountability and restore student trust in the medical education system. These new requirements also ensure aspiring doctors can make informed decisions regarding their education and finances, instead of facing hidden charges after admission.

Next Steps for Institutions and Students

• Medical colleges must complete the Google Form within seven days of the notice being posted on the NMC website.
• Colleges should immediately publish the required fee and stipend details on their websites.
• Students and parents are advised to verify this information on institutional websites before participating in counselling or admissions.
• The NMC will monitor compliance and take action against violators to uphold the directive’s integrity.

Conclusion: Reinforcing Trust in India’s Medical Education System

The NMC’s directive is a landmark move that brings much-needed clarity and regulation to medical education in India. With the support of the Supreme Court’s judgments, the Commission is actively addressing long-standing concerns around fee transparency, unauthorized charges, and stipend injustices.