Bengaluru: Pursuing medical education is a dream in the country that is becoming distant by the day. The reason is not only it is a tough course but also, more importantly, the fee structure is becoming prohibitive.

To prove this point, the State Government on Wednesday decided to hike the Medical Course fees in Government and Private Colleges by 10 per cent every year for three years, starting from this year.

Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharanaprakah Patil announced this yesterday after a meeting with representatives of private medical colleges. The revised fees for Government quota seats will be Rs. 77,000 (up from Rs. 70,000) while, for the institutional quota it will be Rs. 6.32 lakh (up from Rs. 5.75 lakh).

However, no decision has been taken with regard to hike for dental courses. A decision would be taken in this regard within two or three days.

Dr. Patil said that private college managements had argued that the course fees in other States is more than Rs. 10 lakh and hence demanded an increase. However, the Government was ready for only 10 per cent hike, he added.

Admissions would be based on State merit list of National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET). Counselling will begin by July 5. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will conduct the counselling for seats in Government, Private and Religious and Linguistic Minority colleges. In the case of Deemed Universities, counselling will be conducted by Directorate General of Health Services.

350 seats added

This year, additional 350 seats will be available in Government Medical Colleges for MBBS aspirants. In Government Medical Colleges in Shivamogga, Hassan, Bidar, Belagavi, Raichur and Mandya the number of seats has been increased from 100 to 150, while at Karnataka Institute  of Medical Sciences, Hubballi, the intake will be up from 150 to 200.