The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially commenced the process for establishing new medical colleges and expanding MBBS seats in existing institutions across India. This marks a significant step towards augmenting the country's medical education infrastructure for the upcoming academic cycle.
Revised Fee Structure: A Major Overhaul
In a decisive move, the regulatory body has introduced a completely revised and steeply increased fee structure for the application and processing of new medical colleges. The average hike exceeds 50% compared to previous charges. A key change is the introduction of separate fee slabs for government and private institutions, moving away from the earlier uniform fee model.
For private entities, the new application fees are substantial. Proposing a 50-seat college will now cost Rs 7.5 lakh plus GST, a 100-seat college requires Rs 15 lakh plus GST, and for a 150-seat institution, the fee is set at Rs 22.5 lakh plus GST. Previously, a flat rate of Rs 6.5 lakh was charged to all.
Government medical colleges will pay relatively lower, yet increased, fees: Rs 6.2 lakh plus GST for 50 seats, Rs 12.5 lakh plus GST for 100 seats, and Rs 18.7 lakh plus GST for 150 seats.
New Charges for Seat Expansion and Security Deposits
In another significant update, the NMC has introduced fees for expanding MBBS seats in current colleges, a cost that did not exist before. Private colleges seeking a 50-seat increase must pay Rs 7.5 lakh plus GST, while government colleges will pay Rs 6.2 lakh plus GST for the same.
Furthermore, the commission has mandated substantial security deposits, to be maintained for a period of six years. These deposits are scaled according to the proposed intake: Rs 15 crore for 50-seat colleges, Rs 20 crore for 100-seat colleges, and a hefty Rs 25 crore for 150-seat colleges.
Application Window and Additional Mandates
The NMC has announced a strict application window for the academic year 2026-27. Interested institutions can submit their proposals between December 29 and January 28.
The notification also includes several new disclosure requirements. Applicant institutions must now reveal if the trust or society managing the college operates other medical colleges in different states. Additionally, a non-refundable application fee of Rs 2 lakh has been made compulsory for all applicants.
These revised norms represent a major policy shift aimed at streamlining the approval process while imposing higher financial commitments on aspiring institutions. The move is expected to influence the landscape of medical education expansion in India significantly.
