Sprouts News Impact — Infamous Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College Refunds ₹74 Crore
• ₹74 Cr Refunded After Sprouts News SIT Probe
• Sprouts News Triggers PMO Action
• Students Win, College Pays ₹74 Cr
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
After relentless efforts by Sprouts News Editor-in-Chief Unmesh Gujarathi and whistleblower Dr. Divyansh Dwivedi, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College refunded ₹74.38 crore to MBBS students. The illegal fifth-year fee demand was exposed by the Sprouts News Investigation Team, prompting action from the PMO, NMC, UGC, and Maharashtra Government, setting a national precedent.
Sprouts News Triggers PMO Action
In a landmark outcome exposing the deep cracks in India’s private medical education system, the infamous Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College in Pune has refunded ₹74.38 crore to MBBS students of the 2019 and 2020 batches. The dramatic reversal comes after months of relentless investigation by the Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT), coupled with strategic interventions by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the National Medical Commission (NMC).
The spotlight on this case marks one of the most significant regulatory enforcements in recent memory, reshaping the future landscape of MBBS fee regulation.
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Contents
- Sprouts News Impact — Infamous Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College Refunds ₹74 Crore
- • ₹74 Cr Refunded After Sprouts News SIT Probe
- • Sprouts News Triggers PMO Action
- • Students Win, College Pays ₹74 Cr
- Sprouts News Triggers PMO Action
- Illegal Fee Demand Sparks Nationwide Uproar
- Sprouts SIT Complaint Reaches PMO & Triggers National Action
- Confirmed Refunds: ₹74.38 Crore Credited Back to Students
- NMC Norms Prevail: New Fee Policy in Place
- Stakeholders React: Victory for Student Rights
- Pending Justice: Legal & Regulatory Follow-Up Demanded
- Official Documents Reviewed by Sprouts SIT
- Landmark Accountability in Private Medical Education
Illegal Fee Demand Sparks Nationwide Uproar
Students were illegally coerced into paying a so-called “fifth installment” of up to ₹32 lakh for their final-year MBBS internship — a blatant violation of NMC norms that allow tuition fees only for 4.5 academic years.
Those who resisted were allegedly denied admit cards, failed in practicals, and even had internship stipends withheld. A wave of panic gripped students and their families, many of whom had taken heavy loans to meet these unlawful demands.
Sprouts SIT, after receiving multiple complaints, invoked RTI queries, gathered fee receipts and internal circulars, and uncovered a deliberate pattern of exploitation by the institution.
Sprouts SIT Complaint Reaches PMO & Triggers National Action
Following SIT’s exclusive findings, a formal complaint was filed with the PMO in Delhi, supported by fee documents and regulatory provisions.
The complaint (PMOPG ID: 5932212) included evidence from over 70 affected students, and was spearheaded by Dr. Divyansh Dwivedi, an ex-MS Surgery resident of the same college, who risked his future to bring truth to light.
This led to swift responses from government and regulatory bodies:
•NMC Chairman Dr. B.N. Gangadhar issued a circular (Letter No. U(29)/13/2025-UGMEB) declaring the fifth-year fee “void and illegal”.
•UGC’s Fee Nivaran Cell ordered refunds (Complaint No: 493/Misc.).
•Health Ministry, via a memo dated June 30, 2025, warned the college of disciplinary proceedings.
•Maharashtra Government constituted a three-member probe committee (Notification dated May 2, 2025) to examine the scam.
Confirmed Refunds: ₹74.38 Crore Credited Back to Students
After months of regulatory heat, the college finally admitted wrongdoing. In an official statement on August 2, 2025, Dean Dr. A. Rekha confirmed that “Students of the 2019–2020 batches will have the fifth installment refunded.”
Sprouts SIT has verified bank records that confirm:
•Batch 2019: ₹13,37,057 per student × 250 students → ₹33,42,64,250
•Batch 2020: ₹16,38,496 per student × 250 students → ₹40,96,24,000
•Total Refunded: ₹74,38,88,250
This is the first time a private medical college in India has been forced to repay such a massive amount to MBBS students due to regulatory violation.
NMC Norms Prevail: New Fee Policy in Place
Going forward, the college has committed to charging only 6 months of internship fees, as per NMC guidelines. This brings its policy in line with national standards and protects future students from financial exploitation.
A revised academic fee structure will be applicable from the 2021 batch onward, effectively abolishing the 5th-year demand altogether.
Stakeholders React: Victory for Student Rights
One of the students who led the campaign, Dr. Divyansh Dwivedi, told Sprouts:
“This isn’t just about money — it’s about restoring dignity. The system was broken, and we fixed it using law, truth, and persistence.”
NMC Chairman Dr. Gangadhar added:
“Medical education must not be monetized beyond reason. This refund is a clear message to all private institutions.”
Pending Justice: Legal & Regulatory Follow-Up Demanded
While the refunds are a significant milestone, the case is far from over. Students and academic watchdogs now demand:
•Criminal investigation into college management for harassment and financial fraud
•Immediate release of MBBS degrees and pending stipends
•Nationwide fee audit of private and deemed universities by NMC, UGC, and CAG
Sprouts SIT is actively tracking further developments and will file additional complaints if delays or obstruction of justice are observed.
Also Read: Starbucks Plans to Close Pick-Up Only Stores by 2026.
Official Documents Reviewed by Sprouts SIT
Sprouts News Investigation Team has reviewed and authenticated the following:
•PMOPG Complaint ID: 5932212
•NMC Directive: Letter No. U(29)/13/2025-UGMEB
•UGC Refund Order: Complaint No. 493/Misc.
•Health Ministry Memo: Dated 30/06/2025
•Maharashtra Govt Notification: Dated 02/05/2025
These files are available with our legal and editorial desks for reference and possible judicial follow-up.
Landmark Accountability in Private Medical Education
This case has now become a textbook example of how media-led investigation, whistleblower courage, and multi-agency collaboration can dismantle long-standing exploitation.
The once infamous Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, under scrutiny from national regulators and the public eye, now stands as a cautionary tale for all private universities operating beyond legal bounds.
