Doctor Dreams Die Under ₹1 Cr MBBS fees Burden.

Unmesh Gujarathi

Sprouts News Exclusive

Becoming a doctor in India is no longer just a matter of merit — it’s become a financial burden crushing the dreams of thousands of middle-class families. According to a recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, pursuing an MBBS degree in private medical colleges now costs upwards of Rs 1 crore, making it nearly impossible for average-income families to afford.

Sprouts News has learned that while government medical colleges charge an average fee of just Rs 50,000 per year, private colleges are demanding Rs 15 to 30 lakh annually, excluding hostel and equipment costs. The committee recommends a mandatory 50% fee reduction in private institutions to make medical education accessible for families earning under Rs 8 lakh per year.

The situation is especially alarming as 55% of India’s 706 medical colleges are privately run. Although the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) filters over 11 lakh eligible students each year, only 56,000 MBBS seats are available in government colleges. This mismatch forces thousands of aspirants into costly private colleges, or even abroad — with Russia, China, Ukraine, and the Philippines emerging as more affordable alternatives.

Sprouts News reviewed the Parliamentary Committee’s detailed findings, which expose that private medical colleges are turning education into a luxury commodity. In one shocking example, a leading private college in Mumbai charges nearly Rs 30 lakh per year, pushing the total MBBS cost above Rs 1 crore. Comparatively, the same course in a government college costs less than Rs 2.5 lakh in total.

To address the crisis, the committee has made several key recommendations:

•Enforce the Capitation Fee Act strictly to prevent exploitative admission fees.

•Encourage Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the medical education sector, enabling corporate-funded infrastructure to reduce costs.

•Provide scholarships to at least 1 lakh students annually to promote inclusivity.

•Offer Rs 10,000 crore in skill lab subsidies to private colleges to reduce their infrastructure burden.

•Mandate tie-ups between private colleges and district hospitals for better clinical exposure and reduced operational costs.

Despite these recommendations, parents continue to suffer under the massive financial strain. “It’s heartbreaking,” a parent told Sprouts News. “My child scored well in NEET, but the fees are just not feasible.”

Sprouts News will continue to track developments on this issue and advocate for reforms that prioritize merit and equity over money. Unless urgent action is taken, medical education will remain a privilege of the wealthy — and not a right for the deserving.