Allahabad High Court Halts Mid-Session MBBS Fee Hike, Grants Relief to 240 Students
The Allahabad High Court on August 13, 2025, issued a temporary stay on a notification that substantially increased the tuition fees for the MBBS program during the 2024-25 academic session in G.S. Medical College and Hospital in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh.
The bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh provided the temporary reprieve to Aanya Porwal and 239 other students who had filed a writ petition to challenge the fee enhancement. Court also directed the State and the educational institution to submit their counter affidavits, with the matter scheduled for a subsequent hearing on September 17, 2025.
The petition, filed against the State of Uttar Pradesh and the medical college, addressed a notification dated July 5, 2025, which aimed to elevate the annual MBBS tuition fee from Rs. 11,78,892 to Rs. 14,14,670.
Counsel for the students, Advocates Nipun Singh and Sumit Suri, argued that this constituted a second fee increase in a period of eight months and was implemented during the academic session, thereby imposing a significant financial burden on the parents. They further contended that the action was arbitrary, lacked judicious consideration, and was in contravention of the U.P. Private Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Fixation of Fee) Act, 2006. The petitioners' counsel emphasized that the respondents' actions had failed to account for other miscellaneous charges, which had already been enhanced during the current session, and that the students had already deposited these fees. It was also asserted that the petitioners' admission to the institution, identified as respondent no. 3, was predicated on the fee structure provided in the college's official brochure, a fact that the substantial mid-session hike disregarded.
In a compelling submission, the petitioners underscored that their admission had been granted on the basis of a fee structure detailed in the college's official brochure. They accused the Fee Regulatory Committee, identified as respondent no. 2, of elevating the fee at the behest of the institution, without adequately assessing the financial strain on the students. This was particularly pertinent given that miscellaneous charges for the session had already been enhanced and paid. This cumulative increase, they argued, was not only inequitable but also constituted a breach of the institutional commitments made at the time of admission.
On the other hand, the counsel for the medical college, forcefully contested the petition, asserting that the fee increase was fully compliant with legal provisions. They maintained that the notification had been issued following due deliberation and in accordance with Section 10 of the Act, having also received the approval of the Governor. They further defended the composition of the Fee Regulatory Committee, stating it was properly constituted under Section 4 of the Act with a senior officer or Vice-Chancellor as Chairman and two other members with experience in finance or administration. This, they argued, demonstrated that the matter had received appropriate consideration and that the impugned notification contained no illegalities. The defense concluded by seeking the dismissal of the petition.
Following the arguments from both parties, the single judge bench acknowledged that the matter "requires consideration".
"All the respondents are represented by their respective counsel. They are directed to file short counter affidavits within two weeks. Rejoinder affidavit, if any, be filed within one week thereafter," court ordered and directed the matter to be put up on September 17, 2025 as fresh.
Case Title: Aanya Porwal And 239 Others vs. State Of U.P. And 2 Others
Order Date: August 13, 2025
Bench: Justice Chandra Dhari Singh