In a windfall for MBBS aspirants this year, the Supreme Court has allowed even those private medical colleges seeking increase of intake capacity to admit students in the MBBS course this year on an undertaking given to MCI that if on later inspection the claims made by the college are found to be false, they will be liable for a fine of Rs 10 crore.

As a rider, the Court attached certain conditions for the private medical colleges desiring to get the benefit of the Court’s interim order which came in addition to its previous direction passed on September 18 recently. The previous order was only with relation to those colleges where MCI was unable to conduct inspection for renewing recognition due to paucity of time as last date for filling admissions is September 30.

The bench of Justices AR Dave, Vikramajit Sen and UU lalit allowed the colleges to admit students on the condition that students will be drawn out from the list supplied by State under the All India PMT examination. The fees payable by students will be that which is charged by Government medical college and will remain so till the student passes the course. The college in question was also restrained from admitting its own list of students under management quota. Even these seats will be filled from the State list.

The latest order of the SC will benefit colleges seeking increase in intake capacity but could not do so on account of MCI inspection being due. The benefit of the order will also flow to such colleges where MCI secured an order from any court staying the admission process in any college or institution. However, the order will not apply to those colleges which were disqualified by the MCI or Centre and are prohibited from making any admissions for the current academic year. No regard or exemption would be available to any college based on their status as Minority Institution or Deemed University, the bench clarified.