The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a directive to all medical colleges in India, mandating that they charge MBBS students fees only for the 4.5 years of academic study, which is the officially recognized duration of the course. This decision comes in response to reports that some institutions have been charging fees for five years or more, which exceeds the approved academic period. The NMC emphasized that the compulsory rotating internship, which lasts for one year, does not count towards the academic duration for which fees can be charged. The directive cites the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) Guidelines, 2024, to reinforce its stance. The NMC warned that any failure to comply with this directive would lead to serious consequences under existing laws. The Commission also referenced several Supreme Court rulings that highlight the need for reasonable and transparent fee structures in medical education. Institutions are now required to adhere strictly to this directive to avoid penalties.