MBBS has always been associated with high prices. Private colleges cost a fortune. The fees might be less in government colleges, but other expenses like books and hostels amount to a significant price. However, that won't be the case for this college, as India's first free-of-cost medical college has been inaugurated in Karnataka.
The Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SMSIMR) was inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on March 25. The college has been established by the spiritual leader Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai. It is also affiliated with the Sri Satya Sai University for Human Excellence.
The college is situated in the Satya Sai village near Muddenahalli. Muddenahalli is around 70 kilometers from Bangalore. The college is also attached to a 350-bedded Sri Sathya Sai Sarala Hospital. The college has been built at a capital cost of ₹400 crores with a total area of 3,25,000 sq. feet. The college also recently got permission from the National Medical Commission (NMC) on March 10.
The free services are not only limited to the fee structure but also to other facilities like books, hostels, study materials, uniforms, etc. The Prashanthi Balamandira Trust. The admissions will be monitored by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). The college will start functioning in the academic year 2023.
The primary aim is to provide quality education and medical healthcare free of cost.
(Input from various media sources)
