Tamil Nadu Imposes Rs 5 Lakh Penalty for MBBS/BDS Graduates for Breaking Bond

MBBS/BDS candidates in government or private medical/dental colleges in Tamil Nadu will face a Rs 5 lakh penalty if they fail to fulfill a bond which is to serve in rural areas of the State for five years post-graduation. Additionally, a Rs 10 lakh fee on candidates who leave the course midway after counseling, starting from the year of admission and any subsequent dates.

These bond terms are given in the prospectus released by the State Directorate of Medical Education and Research for admission to MBBS/BDS degree courses in Tamil Nadu. This includes government medical and dental colleges, management minority/NRI quota seats, and seats in self-financing medical/dental colleges affiliated with Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University and State Private Universities.

Service Bond Terms for MBBS/BDS Courses

In the 2024-2025 session prospectus for admission to MBBS/BDS degree courses, Tamil Nadu included an Agreement Bond form for candidates admitted. Clause 3(i) states, "The candidate shall, on demand made by the Government within two years from the date on which the candidate registers himself/herself as a Medical Practitioner, serve for a period of not less than five years in rural areas specified by the Government through General or Special orders."

If candidates violate these bond terms, they must pay a penalty of Rs 5 lakh or as directed by the Government. 

Seat Leaving Penalty

For all candidates admitted to MBBS/BDS courses, a seat leaving penalty of Rs 10 lakh is imposed if they discontinue or leave the seat.

Discontinuation Fee

Clauses 23 and 20 of the respective prospectuses for government and private MBBS/BDS seats specify that candidates who discontinue the course after the cut-off date must pay a Discontinuation Fee of Rs 10 lakh via Demand Draft drawn in favor of "The Secretary, Selection Committee, Kilpauk, Chennai-10," payable at Chennai. 

If a candidate selects a seat in the final stray round but fails to join the course, they must pay the Discontinuation Fee and forfeit the Security Deposit and Tuition fee.

The prospectus mentions that admission to MBBS/BDS degree courses for 2024-2025 will close on the cut-off date as per guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission/Dental Council of India. 

The prospectus states that information regarding fee structure, course content, bond, rendering of service in rural/tribal areas, and other conditions has been provided by the medical/dental colleges. The Tamil Nadu Medical Selection Committee does not take responsibility for this information. Candidates are advised to visit college websites or contact college authorities directly for any queries regarding the same. Once choices are locked, they cannot be modified, and changes will not be entertained by the Selection Committee.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Rutika Mehetre/MSM)