As the NEET UG 2025 counselling season begins, thousands of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) candidates are eyeing the NRI quota for MBBS admissions across India. This special quota offers a unique pathway into Indian medical colleges, both through national-level MCC counselling and individual state-level procedures.
This article details the eligibility criteria, counselling process, required documents, fee structures, college options, and recent policy changes relevant to NRI candidates applying for MBBS seats via NEET UG 2025.
NRI Quota: Who is Qualified?
As per the NEET UG 2025 information bulletin and recent Supreme Court rulings:
| NEET UG Counselling Guide 2025 | |
|---|---|
| State-wise MBBS/BDS Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| MCC NEET UG Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| AACCC AYUSH NEET Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
- NRIs: Indian citizens residing abroad for extended periods (typically ≥182 days/year).
- OCI/PIO: OCI cardholders are now treated on par with Indian citizens for admissions.
- Foreign Nationals of Indian Origin: Must produce Embassy-certified proof of Indian ancestry/NRI status.
Important: The PIO scheme was discontinued in 2015; all PIO cards are now treated as OCI.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must qualify NEET UG 2025 with at least the 50th percentile (General category).
- Must meet age and academic qualifications as per NMC norms.
- A valid sponsor-student relationship (parent, guardian, or close relative working abroad) is often required.
- Embassy/NRI Certificate from the Indian Mission abroad is mandatory for most counselling bodies.
Counselling Process for NRI Seats
1. MCC Counselling for Deemed Universities
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts this, which covers 15% NRI seats in Deemed Universities.
Join NEET News 2025 - Registration Fee: ₹5,000 + refundable security deposit.
- Steps:
- Register online.
- Choose the NRI category and upload documents.
- Fill choices of Deemed colleges offering NRI seats.
- Participate in seat allotment and report if selected.
- Category Conversion: Students can request conversion from General to NRI by emailing MCC with sponsor documents.
2. State-Level Counselling
Each state conducts separate counselling for NRI seats. Key examples:
Gujarat (ACPUGMEC)
- Register, buy a PIN, and verify documents in person at Gandhinagar.
- NRI seats in private/self-financing colleges.
Kerala (CEE Kerala)
- Apply via the official portal.
- Requires a relationship and sponsorship certificate, embassy-attested documents.
- The correction window opens till July 16, 2025.
Tamil Nadu
- State quota and private college NRI seats via DME Tamil Nadu.
Maharashtra
- Conducted by CET Cell Maharashtra, covering semi-government and private colleges.
- Submit the affidavit and NRI proof documents for validation.
Documents Required for NRI Category
- Sponsor’s Passport/Visa (attested copies)
- Embassy/NRI Certificate
- Notarized Sponsorship Affidavit (fee commitment and relationship)
- Government-Issued Relationship Certificate
- OCI Card (if applicable)
- NEET 2025 Admit Card & Scorecard
- Class 10 & 12 Certificates
- AIU Equivalence Certificate (if foreign board)
- Passport-size Photos & Photo ID
NRI Quota Fees and Seats
The table below shows some of India’s top medical colleges offering MBBS admission under the NRI quota, along with their NRI quota fees and number of NRI quota seats:
| Institutes | State/UT | MBBS NRI Quota Fees | Number of NRI Quota Seats |
| Vinayaka Missions Medical College & Hospital, Karaikal | Puducherry | INR 31,000 | 41 |
| Sree Siddhartha Medical College (SSMC TUMKUR), Tumkur | Karnataka | $50,000 | 19 |
| Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Mullana | Haryana | $1,60,000 (For the entire Course) | 22 |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS), Wardha | Maharashtra | $ 27,500 | 30 |
| Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore | Karnataka | $ 64,000 | 23 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum | Karnataka | $ 45,500 | 30 |
| BVDU Medical College & Hospital, Sangli | Maharashtra | $ 85,050 | 23 |
| Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi | Kerala | $ 50,000 | 15 |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College, Pune | Maharashtra | $ 85,050 | 23 |
| Dr D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre (DYPMC), Pune | Maharashtra | $ 60,000 | 38 |
Note: Hostel/miscellaneous fees are additional. Always confirm with official brochures.
Top Medical Colleges Offering NRI Seats
Deemed Universities
- Kasturba MC, Manipal & Mangalore (MAHE): 37-38 seats
- Sri Ramachandra MC, Chennai: 38 seats
- Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College, Pune: 23 seats
- DY Patil (Pune/Navi Mumbai), Bharati Vidyapeeth: 22–38 seats
- MGM Aurangabad/Navi Mumbai, Vinayaka Missions, Dr. MGR University
State Private/Government Colleges
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi: 7 NRI seats
- Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune: 05 seats
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry: 05 NRI seats
NRI Category Conversion (MCC)
- Students applying as General can later convert to NRI by submitting:
- Embassy Certificate
- Sponsor’s Passport/Visa
- Relationship Proof
- Sponsorship Affidavit
- Email documents to MCC during the notified window.
- Upon approval, the candidate is treated as an NRI category (Note: reservation benefits are forfeited).
The NRI quota provides a valuable opportunity for overseas Indian students to pursue MBBS in India. With meticulous documentation, timely registration, and strategic choice filling, NRI aspirants can secure seats at prestigious medical colleges across India.
