Introduction
In an important interim development concerning professional education and fee regulation, the Supreme Court of India has stayed the operation of a Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment that barred private unaided veterinary colleges in Punjab from charging tuition fees during the mandatory internship period of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A.H.) programme.
The stay order brings temporary relief to private veterinary institutions and reopens the debate on the balance between student welfare, regulatory mandates, and the financial autonomy of private unaided colleges. The matter now awaits authoritative adjudication by the Supreme Court.
Background of the High Court Judgment
By its judgment dated December 12, 2025, the Punjab and Haryana High Court held that charging tuition fees during the internship period was exploitative and impermissible under the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) Regulations.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor ruled in favour of veterinary students of a private unaided college affiliated with Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana.
The High Court reasoned that:
- Internship is a mandatory professional training phase
- Interns perform duties comparable to qualified veterinary doctors
- The VCI Regulations mandate payment of internship allowance
- Charging tuition fees during this period defeats the very purpose of the allowance
Accordingly, the High Court prohibited private unaided veterinary colleges from collecting tuition fees during the internship period.
Students’ Argument Before the High Court
The petitioners (students) contended that:
- Internship is not classroom education
During the internship year, students primarily provide veterinary services in hospitals, dispensaries, and field settings. - Interns contribute to institutional functioning
They perform clinical, diagnostic, and treatment-related duties akin to employed professionals. - VCI Regulations mandate stipend
The Veterinary Council of India requires payment of an internship allowance, recognising the productive labour of interns. - Charging fees is exploitative
Requiring students to pay tuition fees while simultaneously extracting professional work amounts to unfair exploitation.
The High Court accepted these submissions, prioritising student welfare and regulatory intent.
Challenge Before the Supreme Court
Aggrieved by the High Court’s ruling, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, an affiliated institution of GADVASU, approached the Supreme Court by filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP).
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising:
- Justice Dipankar Datta
- Justice Satish Chandra Sharma
By an order dated January 16, 2026, the Supreme Court:
- Issued notice to the respondents
- Stayed the operation of the High Court judgment
This effectively allows private unaided veterinary colleges to continue charging tuition fees during internship, subject to the final outcome of the case.
Supreme Court’s Interim Relief: What the Stay Means
The Supreme Court’s stay does not amount to a final determination of rights but has significant interim consequences:
1. Status Quo Restored
Private unaided veterinary colleges are no longer restrained from charging tuition fees during internship until further orders.
2. Financial Autonomy Temporarily Preserved
The stay recognises, at least prima facie, the argument that private unaided institutions may require fee collection to sustain infrastructure, faculty, and hospital facilities.
3. Larger Legal Question Open
The core issue—whether internship constitutes “education” or “employment-like service”—remains unresolved.
Key Legal Issues Involved
The case raises crucial questions at the intersection of education law, regulatory control, and constitutional principles:
1. Nature of Internship
Is the internship period an extension of academic instruction or a form of professional service deserving remuneration without fee liability?
2. Scope of VCI Regulations
Do VCI Regulations merely mandate payment of internship allowance, or do they implicitly prohibit charging tuition fees?
3. Rights of Private Unaided Institutions
To what extent can private unaided professional colleges determine their fee structure without violating regulatory norms?
4. Exploitation vs Sustainability
Where should courts draw the line between preventing student exploitation and ensuring institutional viability?
Comparison with Medical and Other Professional Courses
The issue is not unique to veterinary education. Similar disputes have arisen in:
- Medical internships
- Dental education
- Nursing and paramedical courses
Courts have often struggled to strike a balance between:
- Interns’ right to fair compensation
- Institutions’ right to collect fees for training and facilities
- Regulatory standards imposed by professional councils
The Supreme Court’s final ruling in this case may therefore have wider implications across professional education in India.
Broader Implications of the Supreme Court’s Stay
For Students
- Immediate financial burden continues
- Uncertainty regarding fee legality persists
- Outcome may affect future batches nationwide
For Private Veterinary Colleges
- Temporary relief from regulatory restriction
- Recognition of their operational autonomy
- Awaiting clarity on long-term fee structures
For Regulatory Bodies
- Scrutiny of VCI Regulations and their interpretation
- Possible need for clearer guidelines on internship economics
For Higher Education Policy
- Signals judicial caution in interfering with fee structures at the interim stage
- Reinforces the importance of comprehensive regulatory frameworks
Case Details
Case Title:
Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences v. State of Punjab & Ors.
Case Number:
Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 733/2026
Bench:
Justice Dipankar Datta
Justice Satish Chandra Sharma
Date of Stay Order:
January 16, 2026
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order marks a crucial pause in an evolving debate over tuition fees during professional internships. While the High Court prioritised student protection and regulatory intent, the Supreme Court’s interim relief reflects judicial restraint and recognition of the complexities involved.
The final outcome will be closely watched, as it has the potential to reshape fee policies in veterinary and other professional education streams across India. Until then, the stay ensures continuity while the apex court examines the larger legal and policy questions at stake.
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