By Rajesh Pandey
In a momentous relief to hundreds of medical students, the Allahabad High Court has put on hold the Uttar Pradesh government’s notification dated July 5, 2025, which had ordered a steep mid-academic session hike in tuition fees for MBBS students for the 2024–25 academic year.
The notification had increased the annual tuition fee from ₹11 lakh to ₹14 lakh, triggering widespread concern among students and parents, as the hike came after the academic session was already underway. The decision was challenged in court by Aanya Porwal and 239 other MBBS students, who approached the High Court seeking justice.
The matter came up before Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, who, after hearing both sides, decided to stay the operation of the notification until the next hearing. The court has directed both the state government and the concerned medical college to file their replies within two weeks.
Petitioners’ Arguments
Counsel for the petitioners strongly criticized the government’s move, arguing that the July 5 notification was arbitrary, unjustified, and issued without proper application of mind.
The students had already been burdened earlier in the session when miscellaneous charges were raised, and now they were being asked to bear a second, substantial tuition fee increase within just eight months.
The petitioners contended that such a mid-session hike was unfair and unreasonable, especially when the additional miscellaneous charges had already been deposited by the students.
They stressed that there was no urgent necessity or justified reason for the state to impose another increase in the middle of the academic year.
Respondents’ Stand
On the other hand, counsel for the respondents defended the fee hike, maintaining that the decision had been taken by the law and after due consideration. They argued there was no illegality or procedural error in the notification, and urged the court to dismiss the writ petition because it lacked merit.
Court’s Observations & Order
After listening to the detailed submissions from both sides, the court noted: Taking into consideration the submissions made by the counsel for the petitioners as well as the counsel for the respondent and the contents made in the writ petition, I am of the view that the matter requires consideration.”
Accordingly, the court has listed the matter for fresh hearing on September 17, 2025, and ordered: Then, the operation of the impugned (under challenge) notification dated July 5, 2025 shall be kept in abeyance.”
The interim stay means that students will not be required to pay the increased tuition fee until the court hears the matter again. This development has brought temporary relief to hundreds of MBBS students and their families, who had been facing severe financial strain due to the sudden and sharp hike.
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