The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre and NMC over fees charged to Indian medical students returning from Ukraine and China under the academic mobility scheme, these students are belongs to covid affected batch.
MD Education News | Updated on – 13th May, 2025 – 23:13 IST
New Delhi – The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the Union Ministry of Health and the National Medical Commission (NMC) over a petition filed by medical students who fled war-affected Ukraine and pandemic-hit China. The students are challenging the extended internship fees charged by Indian medical colleges, despite being allowed to complete their training under a humanitarian academic mobility program.
A bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, heard the plea and has sought detailed responses from the Health Ministry and NMC within four weeks.
Who Are the Affected Students?
The 35 petitioners represent a larger group of Indian medical students whose studies were disrupted by the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 lockdowns in China. Under the NMC’s special academic mobility scheme, these students were permitted to complete their clinical training in India but are now being charged substantial internship fees by the host colleges.
Key Arguments in the Petition
Filed through Advocate Charu Mathur, the petition claims:
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Colleges are charging tuition or internship fees even though students are only completing clinical training.
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Many students are denied hospital rotations unless full fees are paid.
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The charges are unjustified given the crisis circumstances and the non-regular nature of their placement.
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Most affected students come from middle-class families already under financial stress due to prior international education costs.
Supreme Court’s Observation
Chief Justice Chandrachud acknowledged the humanitarian aspect of the case and emphasized that the Court would examine whether the current fee structure aligns with principles of fairness and legality. The Court’s notice indicates an intent to protect students from undue financial burdens while ensuring regulatory clarity.
What Happens Next?
The Union Government and NMC have four weeks to submit their replies. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar future crises and lead to policy changes regarding fee structures for displaced students undergoing academic reintegration in India.
This case highlights a critical gap in India’s response to global emergencies affecting students abroad. As the legal process unfolds, hundreds of affected families await a fair resolution.
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Shreya Gandhi is a writer at MedicoDrive.com with a Master’s in English from Mumbai. She covers medicolegal cases, NMC/DCI updates, medical education, and health news from India and around the world. Passionate about journalism, she brings clarity to complex medical topics.