PATNA: Private medical colleges in Bihar have adopted the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines to charge government-level fees for 50% of MBBS seats. This is a big relief for NEET UG aspirants and their families. This decision has made medical education more affordable and equitable in a state where competition for government seats is huge and private college tuition has been unaffordable for many.
This is one step further towards India’s medical education revolution steered by NMC. In this article, we will understand the regulation and its impact.
What Does This Policy Mean?
According to the NMC Fee Guidelines, all private medical colleges and deemed universities across India are required to charge fees equivalent to those in government medical colleges for at least 50% of their total approved seats.
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Bihar is among the few states that have successfully implemented this rule across its private medical institutions.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Policy | NMC Fee Parity on 50% Seats |
| State | Bihar |
| Impacted Seats | ~650 (across 6 private colleges) |
| Annual Govt Fee Benchmark | ₹1.2 to ₹1.5 lakh approx. |
| Annual Private Fee (full rate) | ₹12–18 lakh (before parity) |
| Implementing Authority | Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) |
| Beneficiaries | NEET UG qualifiers with limited finances |
Private Medical Colleges Covered
The following private medical colleges in Bihar now offer 50% MBBS seats at government-equivalent fees:
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- Mata Gujri Memorial Medical College, Kishanganj
- Lord Buddha Koshi Medical College, Saharsa
- Shree Narayan Medical Institute and Hospital, Saharsa
- Netaji Subhas Medical College, Patna
- Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College, Muzaffarpur
Who Benefits the Most?
Students from the following backgrounds are the primary beneficiaries:
- OBC, EWS, and General-category students with NEET scores not high enough for a govt seat, but unaffordable private fees.
- Rural and low-income families who previously had to give up on MBBS due to cost barriers.
- Middle-rank NEET qualifiers who now get quality education at subsidised rates.
“Bihar’s compliance with the NMC fee guideline is a major win for equitable access. Other states must follow suit to level the playing field,”
says Dr. Rakesh Yadav, MBBS admission consultant based in Patna.
Education analysts believe this regulation can improve the doctor-population ratio in Bihar by attracting more meritorious students from within the state who earlier considered MBBS unaffordable.
Admission & Counselling Process
Admissions to these fee-parity seats are made through state quota counselling conducted by BCECEB (bceceboard.bihar.gov.in). Here’s how it works:
- Register for Bihar NEET UG counselling
- Choose private colleges during choice filling
- Select the “Govt Fee Category” option (for 50% seats)
- Secure admission based on merit and availability
Note: Proof of domicile and income-related documents may be required during document verification for state quota eligibility.
Challenges & Considerations
- Limited seats under parity: Only 50% are available at reduced fees; the rest still command full private tuition rates.
- High demand: These seats get filled quickly due to affordability; competition is almost as tough as for government colleges.
- Hidden costs: Hostel, mess, and exam fees may still vary and are not regulated under this policy.
How Bihar Compares with Other States
| State | Fee Parity Implemented? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bihar | Full compliance | Transparent implementation |
| Maharashtra | Partial compliance | Most colleges resisting |
| Tamil Nadu | Not implemented | Legal resistance from private colleges |
| UP | In progress | Monitoring by DGME |
| Karnataka | Mixed implementation | Mostly in deemed universities |
A Progressive Step Forward
Bihar’s implementation of the 50% fee parity rule in private medical colleges reflects a student-first, inclusive education policy. It provides a golden opportunity for thousands of students from low and middle-class backgrounds to pursue MBBS without falling into debt.
As demand for medical seats continues to rise, this step not only democratizes access to private medical education but also strengthens the public healthcare system by producing more doctors for the future.
