UGC Targets DY Patil Over Fee Hike
• MBBS Students Cry Foul on 5th-Year Fees
• Fee Committee Under Fire for Secrecy
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
The UGC has initiated action against Dr. DY Patil Medical College, Pune, following complaints of excessive MBBS fees and lack of transparency in its fee committee. The NMC and Health Ministry are involved, demanding accountability and compliance with regulations. Sprouts News highlights rising scrutiny of private medical college practices.
UGC Probes DY Patil Medical College Over MBBS Fee Irregularities
In a significant development shaking the private medical education sector, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched an inquiry into Pune’s Dr. DY Patil Medical College. The action follows a formal complaint by Dr. Divyansh Dwivedi, a current MBBS student, alleging exorbitant fees, lack of transparency in the fee fixation committee, and unlawful charges for the fifth academic year—raising alarms across India’s medical education oversight bodies.
The issue, now under the lens of multiple regulatory agencies, including the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, highlights longstanding concerns about profiteering and governance irregularities in deemed universities.
DY Patil Medical College MBBS Fees Controversy: Allegations of Fifth-Year Overcharging
One of the most contentious points raised in Dr. Dwivedi’s petition is the alleged unauthorized charging of full tuition fees for the fifth year of the MBBS program. According to NMC guidelines, fees should be capped at 4.5 years, aligning with the course structure. The extra billing, as claimed by the petitioner, not only breaches regulatory norms but also places a heavy financial burden on students.
Moreover, Dr. Dwivedi accused the college of violating the NMC’s 2019 regulations, which explicitly ban capitation fees and emphasize that medical education must remain not-for-profit. These claims, if proven, could severely impact the institution’s regulatory standing.
UGC Action on Private Medical Colleges: Scrutiny of Fee Fixation Committee
The complaint also brings into focus the internal mechanisms of fee determination, particularly the fee fixation committee, whose composition and procedures remain undisclosed, according to the petitioner. Dr. Dwivedi has requested official documentation regarding the committee’s establishment, member affiliations, and decision-making protocols.
Citing the UGC Act Section 3 and previous Supreme Court judgments, the student has called for transparency and accountability in fee governance. These demands resonate with broader systemic calls for reform in private medical institutions across India.
Regulatory Response: UGC, NMC, and Health Ministry Step In
The issue, formally recorded under RTI Appeal No. UGCOM/A/E/25/00652, has prompted a string of high-level correspondences:
•UGC Forwarding Letter (No.VPS-18/01/2025(E)-Admn): Issued by Under Secretary Sarita Chauhan, this document directed the matter to both the NMC and Maharashtra Chief Secretary, calling for a formal investigation.
•NMC Communication (H-UOIS(23)/13/2025-UGMEB-NMC): The Undergraduate Medical Education Board flagged the case to the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Maharashtra, warning that continued non-compliance could impact the college’s annual renewal for 2025-26.
•Health Ministry Letter (U.12012/06/2025-ME-I(Pt-5)): Issued a parallel directive to Maharashtra’s Medical Education Secretary, reinforcing the urgency of action.
These interventions reflect mounting regulatory pressure on DY Patil Medical College and similar institutions accused of opaque operations.
Also read: Maharashtra Illegal Schools: 674 Shut Orders Issued, Zero Action Taken.
Transparency in Medical Education Regulation Under Spotlight
Sprouts News has learned that the NMC emphasized mandatory compliance with its 2019 guidelines, reinforcing that institutions risk derecognition for violations. The UGC also reiterated the need for fee committees to function without conflict of interest, in line with Sections 4.3 and 5 of its institutional framework.
These statements underscore a broader policy thrust toward regulatory compliance in medical education, especially among deemed-to-be universities, many of which operate under hybrid governance models and are frequently scrutinized for fee-related controversies.
Student Demands and Future Outlook: Refund and Transparency Sought
Dr. Dwivedi’s petition calls for several immediate actions:
•Full refund of the excess fifth-year MBBS fees.
•Public disclosure of fee committee membership and meeting records.
•Submission of official documents proving adherence to NMC’s anti-capitation norms.
The matter is expected to reach a decisive point within 15 days, following the NMC’s directive to the Maharashtra government. Education stakeholders, watchdog bodies, and prospective students await the outcome, which could establish precedents for future fee disputes in India’s private medical education landscape.
Sprouts News Continues Coverage on Education Reforms
Sprouts News remains committed to delivering in-depth, fact-based reporting on issues affecting students and regulatory bodies. This case adds to the growing discourse around fee transparency, education policy enforcement, and the future of private medical colleges in India.
