Why are Neeraj Kumar, Ashwani, and Harvinder Singh struggling to pay the MBBS fees in Punjab?

The three meritorious students, who secured admission to the Government Medical College in Punjab, are unable to afford the high fees, which can cost up to ₹15 lakh for the entire MBBS course.

How do the MBBS fees in Punjab compare to other states?

The MBBS fees in Punjab are among the highest in the region, significantly more expensive than neighboring states like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, where the total cost of the course is around ₹3-4.5 lakh.

What is the Punjab government's stance on the high medical education fees?

The Punjab government recently hiked the MBBS fees by 5%, claiming it was a routine revision. However, the government has not introduced any financial aid schemes to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections, leaving them struggling to arrange the funds.

Home / Education / Meritorious Students Fail to Afford Punjab's Steep Medical Fees

Meritorious Students Fail to Afford Punjab's Steep Medical Fees

16 Aug

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Summary

Neeraj Kumar, Ashwani, and Harvinder Singh secured admission to medical college but cannot pay the high fees
MBBS fees in Punjab are among the highest in the region, costing up to ₹15 lakh for the entire course
Punjab government recently hiked fees by 5%, despite no financial aid schemes for economically weaker students

Meritorious Students Fail to Afford Punjab's Steep Medical Fees

As of August 17, 2025, several meritorious students in Punjab are facing an insurmountable hurdle in their pursuit of a medical career - the steep admission fees. Neeraj Kumar, who cracked the NEET-UG exam with 493 out of 720 marks, secured a seat at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Patiala. However, the ₹1.8 lakh admission fee proved to be a significant challenge for the son of a farm laborer.

Neeraj is not alone in this struggle. Ashwani, a school topper with 564 marks, and Harvinder Singh, who scored 429 marks, also secured admission at GMC but are unable to pay the high fees. The total cost of the five-year MBBS course in Punjab, including tuition, hostel, books, and other expenses, can reach up to ₹15 lakh, making it one of the most expensive in the region.

The Punjab government recently increased the fees by 5%, claiming it was a routine revision. This decision has further exacerbated the financial burden on students from economically weaker sections. Currently, the state's medical education fees are the highest compared to neighboring states and union territories, such as Haryana, New Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Experts have criticized the government for making medical education unaffordable, as meritorious students from humble backgrounds are unable to pursue their dreams. The Resident Doctors' Association at GMC has been strongly opposing the exorbitant fees, stating that the Punjab government should review the MBBS and PG course fees to make them more accessible.

Unfortunately, as of August 17, 2025, there is no government policy in place to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections in pursuing higher education, especially MBBS. The Punjab education minister has acknowledged this lacuna and promised to explore ways to help needy students, but concrete measures are yet to be implemented.

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