Kathmandu, June 18, 2025 – A persistent deadlock in Nepal’s medical education sector has left over a thousand postgraduate (PG) students in limbo. Despite the academic session having been scheduled to begin in mid-April, the matching and counseling process remains incomplete due to unresolved disagreements over student stipends between the government and private medical colleges.
Out of approximately 3,000 eligible PG candidates, only 1,100 have been successfully matched with institutions, as private medical colleges continue to oppose the government’s decision to provide a monthly stipend of NPR 48,500 to PG students.
Deadlock Over Allowance
Private institutions argue that providing the stipulated NPR 48,373 per month in living allowance is financially unfeasible under the current fee structure. Although PG students are charged NPR 2.3 million for their entire course, the government decision following a resident doctors’ protest mandates that students receive up to NPR 25 lakh (2.5 million) back as allowance over three years. Colleges claim this reversal imposes an unsustainable financial burden, especially as they have already invested billions in infrastructure, faculty, and facilities—much of it through loans from financial institutions.
Previously, PG students received NPR 20,000 monthly, with NPR 720,000 reimbursed over the course of their study.
Kathmandu University Colleges Threaten to Halt PG Programs
Medical and dental colleges under Kathmandu University have already warned that they may suspend their clinical PG programs altogether. Citing objections to the university’s directive on fee structures, they argue that continuing under the existing model is no longer viable.
No Decisions in Previous Three Meetings
The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has convened three times (15th, 16th, and 17th sessions) to resolve these issues—but without concrete outcomes. Discussions have centered around seat allocations, fee structure, and quotas for foreign students, but the impasse remains.
In the last meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who also chairs the MEC, had promised a decisive conclusion in the 18th session after gathering suggestions. However, no date has been set for the next meeting, leading to growing frustration among stakeholders.
“The Prime Minister promised action in the 18th meeting. But when will that meeting be called?” – a concerned stakeholder
Student Futures in Jeopardy
Of the 1,100 students recommended for PG placements, about 700 were matched to private colleges and 400 to government colleges. With private institutions refusing to begin academic sessions, students remain caught in a state of uncertainty.
“In India, PG studies cost between 10 to 30 million rupees. In Nepal, the fee is capped at 2.3 million. But now, with a mandated stipend of NPR 48,500, the financial model collapses unless adjustments are made.”
Proposed Solutions by Private Colleges
Private medical colleges have suggested four possible resolutions:
- Increase tuition fees to cover rising costs.
- Annually review and revise the tuition structure.
- Increase seat capacity, especially for foreign students.
- Allow institutions to set separate tuition fees for students beyond the 1,100 matched through the recommendation system.
They have made it clear:
“The day our demands are met—including resource assurance and fee revision—we are ready to provide the NPR 48,500 stipend. Why can gold prices rise, but not our fees?”
Urgent Call for Government Action
The delay in the 18th MEC meeting has escalated the crisis. Without immediate intervention from the Prime Minister or relevant authorities, there is a serious risk of disrupting all PG-level academic activities for the current year.
Interview Insight:
This report is based on a conversation with Dr. Karki, President of the Medical and Dental Colleges Association of Nepal.
