Academic fees for medical education in the government and private medical colleges in Maharashtra are set to rise considerably according to senior officials at the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER). The Maharashtra Education Regulatory Authority (MERA) has already formed a committee to frame the new fee structure. "There is a strong possibility of raising the academic fees in medical and dental education," said Dr. W.B. Tayade, Joint Director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research [DMER], Maharashtra. So far, the prevalent annual fees for MBBS course (payment seat) is Rs. 1,30,000 per year. The free seat fees are Rs.16, 000 for government colleges and Rs. 18,000 for private colleges.

A committee comprising of Dr. Mrudula Phadke, former Director of Medical Education (Education), former auditor with the Maharashtra government Mr. Kanojia (Finance), representatives of private medical colleges, Kamal Kishore Kadam and Datta Meghe, and few other members from various government health departments has been formed to devise the new fee structure for academic year beginning October 2003.

"The committee has just commenced work. The new fee structure will be ready within three weeks," said Dr. Phadke. The admissions for the year will begin by August-September. The current fee structure for dental admission is less compared to the MBBS course. However, it is also expected to considerably increase from this year.

Some medical college students, in constant interaction with their faculty claim about the chances of free seat to go beyond Rs. 30,000 per annum and payment seats touching Rs. 2,00,000. There are 33 medical colleges in Maharashtra, out of which 17 are government owned.