FRA Directs Private Medical Colleges to Adhere to Fee Limits

The Fee Regulatory Authority (FRA) has mandated that private medical colleges must not charge fees exceeding the prescribed upper limit during admissions.

The Fee Regulatory Authority (FRA) has issued a directive to all unaided private professional educational institutions in India, particularly those offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in health sciences and medical fields. The directive mandates that these institutions must not demand fees or any other sum of money exceeding the prescribed upper limit at the time of admission. This measure aims to prevent financial exploitation of students and ensure transparency in the admission process.

Key Directives from FRA

Prohibition of Excessive Fees: Private medical colleges are prohibited from charging fees beyond the approved upper limit during the admission process. For instance, the caution money for MBBS courses should not exceed ₹50,000.

Regulation of Deposits and Caution Money: The FRA has directed that caution money and other deposits should only be collected after the admission process is completed and the admission is confirmed. This ensures that students are not coerced into paying additional amounts during the admission phase.

Refund Policy: Refundable deposits, such as caution money, must be returned to the students after adjusting any legally recoverable amounts within 90 days of course completion. The interest earned on these deposits should be credited back to the students.

Implications for Private Medical Colleges

Compliance with FRA Guidelines: Private medical colleges are required to strictly adhere to the FRA's guidelines regarding fee structures and deposit collections. Non-compliance may result in penalties under the Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Educational Institutions Act of 2015.

Transparency in Fee Structures: Colleges must provide clear and detailed information about all fees to students and parents at the time of admission to ensure that no hidden charges are being levied upon the students.

Conclusion

The FRA's directive serves as a significant step towards safeguarding the interests of students in private medical colleges. By enforcing these regulations, the FRA aims to create a more transparent and student-friendly admission process, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder deserving candidates from pursuing medical education.