What is the NRI Quota in NEET?

Today, medical education in India is at par with international standards. To study in prestigious government and private institutes, national and international students appear for the NEET examination as they face stiff competition from a sea of applicants. One of the significant participants of this race each year is non-resident Indians (NRIs). There is a lot of buzz about the NRI quota in NEET UG. Before applying under this scheme, applicants need to understand what is NRI quota in NEET? Owing to the significant number of candidates who apply to medical colleges in India each year, the Medical Council of India has reserved 15% of seats for NRI NEET applicants. However, all public and private medical colleges in India are not compelled to offer these seats as they are already bound by the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and 85% state quota. There are only a few colleges in the country that accept the NEET NRI quota. If you, too, are an NRI applicant who is appearing for the NEET examination, then this blog can help you understand the important points as well as the process that you have to follow to secure a seat in medical colleges in India. Persons of Indian origin (PIOs) and overseas citizens of India (OCI) qualify to apply under the NRI category. In case you require any further information regarding MBBS admission in India through NRI quota, you can contact leading medical education consultants like Mediplor.

Eligibilities for Medical Colleges in India under the NRI quota

An NRI who is sitting for the NEET examination has to pass the eligibility criteria prescribed for them. Who is eligible for NRI quota in NEET? Let us find out. While some of the NRI NEET requirements are similar to the ones established for Indian applicants, there are some extra formalities in terms of documents and visas. Some of them are-

• The applicant should have strong Indian ties. They must hold the citizenship of a foreign country. Aspirants whose parents are Indian are also eligible for the NRI quota for NEET.
• A student who is below 17 years of age cannot appear for the NEET examination. NRIs who are above the age of 25 cannot qualify for NRI quota eligibility. 
• A valid passport from the applicant’s country of origin to prove their current nationality is important.
• Applicants should be medical students who have studied subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, and English in their recent academic years. 
• Applicants should have scored at least 60% of marks in examinations that are equivalent to class 12 board examinations.
• Applicants should have sufficient documents that can prove that they are a genuine NRI candidate and their sole intent of applying under the NEET NRI quota is to secure a seat in a medical college in India. Any speculation or record of any unlawful activity can debar an NRI candidate. 
• Like all Indian nationals, the NRIs are also supposed to clear the NEET examination with qualifying marks as declared by the cut-off of that year. 
• If the NRI’s education is being supported by someone, then it is required that the applicant shares a blood relation with their sponsor (family members). 
• Usually, applicants should possess a certificate from the Indian Embassy situated in their country of residence.

Important documents for applicants for the NEET NRI quota

If you are looking for NRI quota admission in India, then you must have the following documents along with you:

• A passport that shows the applicant’s current nationality and has sufficient validity. 
• A study permit visa from the Indian officials.
• Admit Card of NEET UG examination.
• Result sheet of NEET UG examination.
• All documents pertaining to formal academic qualifications. 
• Birth Certificate of the Applicant. You might be required to show your parents’ identity proof as well.
• If relevant and asked for, submit caste, PwD, or gap certificate.
• Photographs of recommended size (at least 8).
• A certificate proving your medical fitness.
• Transfer and migration certificate.
• Affidavit of sponsorship and affidavit of relationship.

How to apply for NRI quota in NEET (ADMISSION PROCESS)

How to apply for NRI quota in NEET UG? 

• The initial step towards applying for a medical college in India is to map out a strategy plan that you will follow. Keep a tab on timelines and dates concerning the release of registration forms, admit cards, exam dates, etc.
• Regularly check the NTA website for updated information about the NRI quota in NEET (UG) for the current year.
• Check the details of the NRI quota in NEET eligibility and prepare yourself accordingly.
• Collect all your documents and get a certificate issued by the Indian Diplomatic Mission as soon as possible. 
• Register for the NEET examination 2025 at https://neet.nta.nic.in/.
• After the declaration of the NEET exam result, check the qualifying quota for the NEET NRI quota. 
• 50th percentile marks are compulsory for qualifying for the NEET examination. 
• Applicants who have qualified for the exam can register for the counseling procedure organized by the MCC.
• Once your college is finalized, reach the premises with all your documents, especially the proof of your NRI status, visa, and passport.

How NEET counselors can help NRI residentials in the admission process

Your Bridge to Medical Dreams in India: How Mediplor Supports NEET NRI Aspirants?

As a student with an NRI quota, you might be facing certain issues while trying to figure out various aspects of the medical college admission process in India. To ease your worries, NEET consultants like Mediplor can help you out with each and every aspect of the MBBS admission for NRI quota. We offer various kinds of services such as:

– Selection of Colleges

Based on your rank, score, and budget, our counsellors will present you with a curated list of the best medical colleges in India that suit your profile and offer NRI seats.

– Expert Guidance on Various Courses

Be it MBBS, BMS, BHMS, BDS, our NEET counsellors have a firm understanding of each and every medical course and its eligibility criteria. We will help you choose the best medical course for you that suits your background, needs, and requirements. 

– Assistance with NRI documents for NEET UG

Our team will help you prepare and collect all the necessary NEET NRI quota documents that you may be required to submit during the admission process.

– One-On-One Mentoring & Counselling Sessions

We provide one of the best personalized counselling services and even conduct online counseling sessions for several students worldwide. Whether you have doubts pertaining to NEET NRI eligibility, NEET cut off for NRI quota, MBBS admission in India for NRI students, or any other queries, our counsellors will guide you accordingly.

States that reserved seats for NRI quota

Which Indian States Reserve Seats for NRI Students? 

Both government as well as private colleges reserve 15% of the total seats for foreign quota in NEET. NRI applicants must note that they cannot claim admission to the seats that are reserved for Indian nationals. This makes them ineligible to apply under the general, OBC, ST, SC, or PwD category even if they belong to one. There is a separate application form issued by the NTA for candidates from the NEET NRI quota. 

 

Indian states and union territories where government colleges reserve seats for NRI students.

1. Himachal Pradesh

2. Goa

3. Punjab

4. Pondicherry

5. Haryana

6. Rajasthan

7. Chandigarh

 

Indian states that reserve NRI quota seats in private medical colleges.

1. Andhra Pradesh

2. Telangana

3. Karnataka

4. Tamil Nadu

5. Kerala

Best Medical Colleges in India for NRI Students

 

S.No.	Name of the College	No. of Seats Offered
1.	All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi	7
2.	Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha	38
3.	Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore	23
4.	Vinayaka Missions Medical College & Hospital, Karaikal	41
5.	Shri Padmavathi Medical College, (W) Tirupati	23
6.	Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum	30
7.	Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi	15
8.	Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pune	38
9.	Bharathi Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College, Pune	15
10.	Armed Forces Medical College, Pune	5
11.	Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati	23
12.	Sree Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur	19
13.	Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Science & Research, Mullana	22
14.	BVDU Medical College, Sangli	23

Fee Differentiation

The registration fees as well as the medical college fees of students for NRI students who appear for the NEET exam change every year. In 2025, the application fee for NRI candidates for the NEET exam is INR 9500. The NRI quota fees for a medical course in India is quite high as compared to the fees charged for Indian nationals. It is not an uncommon practice as an abroad education obviously has extra levied costs. Added charges can be in the form of increased tuition fees, accommodation expenses, mess charges, travel fares, etc. The fee structure of government as well as private medical colleges in India can differ based on the facilities they provide, infrastructure, level of clinical exposure, reputation, etc. For NRI applicants, a medical course in India can start from INR 5 lakh to INR 50 lakh or more.

Conclusion

Admission to the NRI quota in NEET is easier for residents from outside of India because of low competition. A candidate who meets all the NRI quota eligibility criteria and clears the NEET exam 2025 has a good enough chance of being accepted into Indian colleges that have reserved NRI quota seats. The entire admission process can be quite tiresome as it stretches over a period of 2-3 months. If you, too, are a student who wants professional assistance with the entire NEET UG admission process or NRI quota in NEET UG for MBBS, then you can contact the leading medical education counsellors for proper guidance. We, at Mediplor, have been guiding students and providing NEET UG and PG counselling to students for the past 20 years. Connect with us and book a counseling session to get started with your MBBS journey in India.