Odisha's Private Medical Colleges Hike MBBS Fees by 75%, Sparks Outrage Among Aspirants

Medical education in Odisha is set to become significantly more expensive as three major private medical colleges announce a steep 75% fee hike for the MBBS course, effective from the 2025-26 academic session. Find out how this decision will impact medical aspirants and what the new fee structure looks like. Stay informed with Only Education News.

In a major setback for thousands of medical aspirants and their families, the cost of pursuing an MBBS degree in Odisha's private medical colleges is skyrocketing. In a move that has drawn strong criticism from parents and student bodies, the state government has approved a steep fee hike, with some colleges increasing their annual tuition fees by as much as 75%. The decision, implemented by the Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) Authority based on the recommendations of the Fee Structure Committee, will be effective from the academic session 2025-2026.

New Fee Structure and Affected Colleges

The fee hike primarily affects three private medical colleges in the state: Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital in Bhubaneswar, Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital in Rourkela, and DRIEMS Institute of Health Sciences and Hospital in Cuttack. The revised fee structure is a significant jump from the previous rates, making medical education a costly affair for many.

Here is a breakdown of the new fees:

• Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital, Bhubaneswar: The annual MBBS fee has been increased from the previous ₹6,50,000 to a staggering ₹11,56,000.
• Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital, Rourkela: The annual fee has been hiked from ₹5,50,000 to ₹8,54,000.
• DRIEMS Institute of Health Sciences and Hospital, Cuttack: The fee has gone up from ₹6,50,000 to ₹9,08,000.

This sudden increase also extends to Postgraduate (PG) courses, with a similar hike in fees for both clinical and paraclinical disciplines.

Reasons for the Hike and Public Reaction

The fee hike has been implemented under the Odisha Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission & Fixation of Fee) Act, 2007. The state government's decision is based on a series of meetings held by the Fee Structure Committee. However, this has been met with significant outrage. The Odisha Parents' Federation (OPF) has been at the forefront of the protest, strongly opposing the move. The president of the federation has called the fee hike "educational commercialization" and has threatened to launch a strong protest if the decision is not reversed. Parents are furious about the sudden announcement, which came after the choice locking and filling process for counselling had already been completed.

The concern is that this decision will make medical education inaccessible for meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds. Many students who have cleared the NEET UG exam with a good rank and were hoping to secure a seat in one of these colleges may now be forced to reconsider their options or even abandon their dream of becoming a doctor. This could also lead to more students opting to study medicine abroad in countries with lower tuition fees. The abruptness of the decision has also added to the distress, leaving students and parents in a state of uncertainty and anxiety.

The increased fees, coupled with additional costs like hostel charges, mess fees, and other miscellaneous expenses, will place a heavy financial burden on families. For aspiring doctors, this is a moment of crisis, as a career path that is already challenging is now becoming economically unviable for many. The medical aspirant community is holding its breath, hoping for a rollback of the decision or some form of government intervention.

This is a critical moment for aspirants to stay updated on the latest developments in medical admissions. For regular updates on medical entrance exams, counselling, and news, follow Only Education News.