NRI quota policy leaves medical aspirants in limbo

Policy change puts medical aspirants in dilemma over NRI quota eligibility. This academic year, many students aspiring to pursue medical education in India are facing uncertainty due to the Central Government’s revised policy concerning the NRI (Non-Resident Indian) quota.
The change has particularly impacted those hoping to secure admission under the NRI category, casting doubts on their future and prompting widespread concern.
Until recently, candidates with relatives living abroad could apply for medical seats under the NRI quota in deemed medical colleges across India, based on recommendations from their overseas kin. However, the latest guidelines from the External Affairs Ministry now restrict eligibility to only those students whose parents reside abroad.
This change contradicts earlier norms followed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which permitted extended family sponsorships—including uncles, aunts, and other close relatives—for NRI quota admissions.
India currently has around 1,12,112 MBBS seats in various government and private medical colleges. Of these, 55,648 seats are in 434 government colleges, and 53,256 in 320 private institutions. Additionally, 15% of all India quota seats are reserved for central institutes like AIIMS and JIPMER. Deemed universities also reserve 15% of their seats for NRIs. In 2024, 1,067 NRI quota seats were available in deemed medical colleges.
Under the new directive, only children whose parents are living abroad and can provide valid documentation—including proof of residence and passports showing a stay of at least 182 days annually outside India—will be considered eligible for NRI quota admission. This change has disqualified many students who relied on support from relatives abroad rather than parents.
The Central Government introduced the new rule in response to instances of misuse and fraud reported in NRI quota admissions last year. However, the move has sparked backlash among students and stakeholders in the medical education sector.
Experts argue that the sudden change leaves many genuine aspirants ineligible, even if they had relied on the guidelines previously endorsed by MCI and MCC.
A key question arising from the revised policy is: why would parents residing abroad choose to send their children to India for medical education rather than enrolling them in international institutions? Moreover, the new requirement for proof of an extended stay abroad raises practical challenges for many families.
Deemed medical colleges are also expected to suffer from the reduced pool of eligible NRI candidates, potentially leading to vacant seats and financial losses. Both students and institutions are now urging the Central Government to reconsider the guidelines and provide greater clarity and flexibility in defining NRI eligibility.