Gujarat Slashes GMERS Medical College Fees

Gandhinagar : In a significant move aimed at making medical education more accessible, the Gujarat state government has announced a reduction in the fees for GMERS (Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society) Medical Colleges. The government has also approved a 15% salary increase for doctors and healthcare workers treating patients under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

On Tuesday, the Gujarat state government announced a major decision to lower the fees for students at GMERS Medical Colleges. This reduction affects both government and management quota seats, bringing significant financial relief to aspiring medical professionals.

The revised fee structure sees the government quota fees reduced from the previously announced ₹5.50 lakh to ₹3.75 lakh, a decrease of ₹1.75 lakh. Similarly, the management quota fees have been slashed by ₹5 lakh, from ₹17 lakh to ₹12 lakh. These changes come in response to widespread protests and concerns about the affordability of medical education in the state.

Earlier, GMERS had increased the fees on 75% of government quota seats in its 13 medical colleges from ₹3.40 lakh to ₹5.50 lakh annually. Management quota fees had been raised from ₹9.75 lakh to ₹17 lakh, and NRI quota fees had increased from $22,000 to $25,000 per year. These hikes had sparked significant backlash from students and their families, who argued that the high costs were driving many to seek education abroad, where fees are comparatively lower.

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) had notably protested against the fee hikes, organizing demonstrations and presenting their grievances to the deans of various medical colleges. The protests culminated in a dramatic demonstration at Gotri Medical College, where NSUI workers threw fake currency notes at the dean and chanted slogans against the ruling BJP. Following NSUI’s actions, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also staged protests and filed petitions against the fee increases.

In response to the unrest, a high-level meeting was convened in Gandhinagar under the chairmanship of the Health Minister. This meeting included students, parents, representatives of the National Medical Organization (NMO), and student union leaders, who collectively voiced their concerns over the fee hikes and the contractual employment system at GMERS Medical Colleges.

In addition to addressing the fee issue, the state government has announced a 15% salary increase for doctors and healthcare workers treating patients under the PM-JAY scheme. This decision is part of broader efforts to improve working conditions and ensure fair compensation for those providing critical healthcare services.