‘Get A Scholarship’: SC Backs Private Medical College Fees, Says They Could Shut Down Otherwise | Education and Career News
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NEET-UG: A student questioned how EWS students could afford such high fees and asked what benefit EWS reservation provides if the seats are financially out of reach.
Supreme Court of India | PTI Image
A NEET-UG student from Rajasthan raised a concern that affects many lower-income families who dream of becoming doctors. The issue was about students from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category.
The student argued that families with an annual income of up to Rs 8 lakh qualify for EWS benefits. However, private medical colleges charge between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 25 lakh per year in fees. He questioned how EWS students could afford such high fees and asked what benefit EWS reservation provides if the seats are financially out of reach.
The student filed a petition challenging this mismatch between the EWS income limit and the high fees charged by private medical colleges. He argued that the system is unfair and creates serious difficulties for EWS students. Earlier, the Rajasthan High Court had rejected his petition, saying that the fee structure of private medical colleges was legal and had been approved by the state’s Fee Regulatory Committee according to Supreme Court guidelines.
The student then appealed to the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court also dismissed the petition. Justice B.V. Nagarathna said that private medical colleges cannot be forced to charge the same fees as government medical colleges.
The court explained that government medical colleges receive financial support from state governments, while private colleges are self-financed and run on their own resources. Therefore, the higher fees charged by private colleges cannot be treated as illegal simply because they are much higher than those of government colleges.
“Those who have, will pay…this one person cannot say that it is exorbitant in the private institution, make it on par with the govt institution”, said Justice BV Nagarathna stated.
“Otherwise…all these private institutions…their assistance to the State in the matter of medical education will become nil. They will all close down and diversify. We need doctors in this country”, the judge said, adding “Get a scholarship or subvention or get into a government college…”, reported Live Law.
The Supreme Court also noted that although colleges are not allowed to collect capitation fees, they are still free to charge their regular tuition fees. According to the court, forcing private medical colleges to lower their fees could discourage them from participating in medical education, which could affect the country’s need for more doctors.
The court suggested that students who cannot afford private college fees may seek scholarships or government subsidies. Finding no reason to interfere with the High Court’s decision, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition. However, it clarified that any related legal issues could still be considered in future cases if necessary.
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