NEET 2025: Over 1 Crore Rupees Now Required for MBBS at 32 Deemed Universities as Fees Soar

New Delhi, July 20, 2025 — The cost of pursuing an MBBS degree at India’s deemed universities has reached unprecedented heights, with updated fee structures for the 2025-2026 academic year revealing that more than half of these private institutions now charge over Rs 1 crore for the full program. This escalation comes as 36 out of 54 deemed universities have announced fee hikes, prompting concern among aspirants and their families over the accessibility of medical education in the country.

Steep Fee Increases Across the Board

A recent review shows that while most universities raised annual charges by a few lakhs, some have implemented increases as high as Rs 8 lakh per year. The average fee hike stands at approximately Rs 1.45 lakh, with the highest per-annum MBBS fee now pegged at Rs 30.5 lakh. This rise means that, factoring in tuition alone over the 4.5-year course duration, the total can reach Rs 1.37 crore. When accommodation and other university-related costs are included, the expense for becoming a doctor at certain institutes surpasses Rs 1.5 crore.

• Three years ago: Only 16 institutes charged more than Rs 1 crore.

• Current scenario: 32 of 54 deemed universities now have fees above this threshold.

Most Expensive MBBS Institutes in 2025

Sree Balaji Medical College in Chennai leads as the costliest medical college with an annual fee of Rs 30.5 lakh, following a steady increment from Rs 25 lakh over the past three years. Not far behind, Sri Ramachandra Institute has held its rate at Rs 30 lakh.

Notable Hikes in Other Institutes

• JR Medical College (Villuppuram) raised its annual fee by 44% from Rs 18 lakh to Rs 26 lakh, joining the ranks of the most expensive MBBS providers.

• Smt BK Shah Medical Institute (Gujarat) increased its fee from Rs 18.75 lakh to Rs 22.75 lakh.

• Aarupadai Veedu Medical College (Puducherry) and Meenakshi Medical College (Chennai) raised annual fees to Rs 23 lakh.

Institutes With the Lowest MBBS Fees

While the majority of deemed universities have raised their rates, a handful remain committed to lower fees. These institutes, many of which have not changed their fee structure in recent years, are now among the most affordable options for MBBS aspirants.

Symbiosis Medical College for Women in Pune remains the most affordable, maintaining its Rs 10 lakh per annum fee since 2022.

Factors Affecting Fee Structures

Deemed universities, unlike self-financing or government medical colleges, are not strictly bound by government-imposed fee regulations. This autonomy has contributed to the wide disparities in fee levels, especially as the demand for medical seats remains high.

Medical colleges tend to adopt varied strategies:

• Some revise their fees annually.

• Others keep fees constant for several years.

For instance, the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi maintained a stable fee before a sharp increase in the last academic session, after which it has remained unchanged.

Disclaimer

This article is based on publicly available data as of July 20, 2025, and fee structures are subject to change by the respective institutes. Students and guardians are advised to directly verify current fees, additional costs, and admission requirements with the relevant universities before making any financial commitments or academic decisions.