Deemed varsities can't collect break fee from MBBS students, rules HC

IN a significant judgment, the Madras High Court has ruled against collection of break fees from MBBS students by deemed universities in the name of extra classes to take supplementary exams for arrears.

- R SIVAKUMAR @ Chennai

The ruling was given by Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan recently on a batch of petitions filed by the aggrieved students of the Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), a deemed-to-be university, against "forcible collection of break fees in the name of extra classes and withholding their certificates". The judge said no regulation of the UGC and the NMC (National Medical Commission) has prescribed extra classes and no student can be compelled to attend and pay tuition and other fees. "It is clear that the CARE university itself issued the circular for special coaching sessions. No regulation mandates supplementary classes or special classes for supplementary examinations," the judge said in the order.