Private Medical Colleges Challenged Over Rs18.9Lac Fee Cap

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has taken strict measures to enforce the Rs18.9Lac fee cap for private medical colleges. The move aims to prevent colleges from charging students excessive tuition fees.

Professor Rizwan Taj, PMDC President, said 12 institutions have received show-cause notices for allegedly collecting fees above the permitted limit. He emphasized that any extra fees must be refunded or adjusted in the next academic year.

“The directive is clear,” Professor Taj told reporters. “No fee increase will be allowed without proper financial justification.” Some colleges have already challenged the fee cap in court, but PMDC has vowed to ensure strict compliance.

The fee cap follows PMDC’s January 30 order, which fixed total tuition for MBBS and BDS programs at Rs18 lakh for the 2024–25 session. After a 5% adjustment announced in October 2025, fees for the 2025–26 session are set at Rs18.9 lakh per student. The council also stated that future increases after 2026 will be linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with prior notification.

PMDC’s strict approach underlines the importance of transparency in medical education. Colleges must submit full documentation supporting any fee changes. Failure to comply could result in severe penalties, reinforcing the council’s commitment to protecting students.

Education experts believe this action sets a precedent for accountability in Pakistan’s private medical sector. By enforcing the Rs18.9Lac fee cap, PMDC aims to prevent exploitation and ensure that medical education remains affordable for students nationwide.

The council has sent a clear message: private colleges cannot arbitrarily raise tuition fees, and students’ financial rights must be respected.