NEET NRI Quota 2026, Eligibility, Admission Process, Fees
NEET NRI Quota 2026: NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is the main exam for medical admissions in India. The NRI Quota is a special category that allows Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), OCIs, and PIOs to apply for MBBS and other medical courses in selected colleges. This quota is important because it follows a different eligibility, fee structure, and admission process compared to general seats. NRI students should check the complete details about NEET NRI Quota 2026, Eligibility Criteria, Fees, Admission Process, Documents Required, Medical Colleges, and more below.
What is NEET NRI Quota 2026?
NRI Quota in NEET 2026 is a reserved category for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who wish to study MBBS or BDS in India. This quota sets aside a certain number of seats in private, deemed, and some government medical colleges in selected states.
The goal of the NRI quota is to make it easier for eligible Indian-origin students living abroad to get medical education in India. Candidates applying through this quota may also be sponsored by an NRI relative. This system offers a valuable opportunity for international students to study medicine in India under a special admission process.
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NEET NRI Quota Eligibility Criteria 2026
Students applying for medical seats under the NRI quota through NEET UG 2026 must fulfill specific eligibility conditions set by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). These guidelines ensure that only genuinely eligible Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), or Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) can apply under this category.
For NRI Quota NEET eligibility, candidates must be:
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An NRI, or
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The child of an NRI, or
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A ward of an NRI, provided they are a minor under the legal guardianship of the NRI.
However, not all relatives are accepted as bonafide guardians. Guardianship must be legally verified and submitted in the form of an affidavit. Just being looked after by an NRI relative does not qualify a student for NRI quota.
Furthermore, the applicant must meet these basic criteria:
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Must hold a valid Indian passport.
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Must have lived outside India for more than 182 days in the past year.
Students who are OCIs or PIOs are also eligible to apply under the NEET NRI Quota 2026, as long as they meet the same guidelines.
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NEET NRI Quota Fees 2026
NRI Quota NEET Fees are significantly higher than general or management quota seats, as they do not receive any government subsidy. Based on previous year’s NEET UG patterns, the fee structure for 2026 is expected to remain similar.
1. MCC Counselling Fees
To take part in NEET UG counselling under the NEET NRI Quota 2026 (especially for Deemed Universities), candidates must pay:
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Registration Fee: ₹5,000 (non-refundable)
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Security Deposit: ₹2,00,000 (refundable)
This amount confirms a candidate’s intent and is forfeited if they do not join the allotted seat.
2. Tuition Fees
NRI tuition fees are much higher than regular fees and are often charged in US Dollars ($). Annual fees can range from INR 10–30 lakhs, or more, depending on the institution. The exact fee structure may vary every year.
3. Fee Payment Rules
NRI candidates must pay tuition fees in USD directly from the sponsor’s account. Refunds are only allowed to NRO accounts as per RBI regulations. Proof of payment is mandatory.
Important Note: The latest fee structure should be verified by candidates with individual colleges because MCC and DGHS do not verify or guarantee fee information.
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NEET NRI Quota Admission Process 2026
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts the NEET UG counselling to admit students in the MBBS NRI quota. Those candidates who are willing to apply under the NEET NRI Quota 2026 should take the following steps:
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During NEET registration, candidates should correctly select their nationality as NRI, OCI, or PIO.
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If a candidate has mistakenly selected "INDIAN" during registration, they can still apply for the NRI quota by submitting the required documents to MCC via the official email within the notified time window.
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Candidates who have already selected "NRI" in their NEET registration do not need to resend documents, but they must produce the original documents at the time of college reporting.
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Only after document verification will candidates be allowed to choose NRI quota seats during online counselling.
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If any document is found to be false or misleading, the allotted seat will be cancelled, and strict action may be taken as per legal provisions.
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Documents Required For NRI Quota For MBBS
To apply under the NRI quota for MBBS admissions, candidates must provide specific documents that prove their NRI/OCI/PIO status and eligibility. These documents are used to verify identity, residency, and legal relationship with the NRI parent or guardian.
The following documents are required for NEET NRI Quota 2026:
1. NEET Scorecard: Provided by NTA, it should be scanned and submitted.
2. Self-Attested Declaration: Candidates will be required to give a declaration to the fact that they are NRI/OCI/PIO or children of NRI parents. A format is prescribed by MCC.
3. OCI/PIO Card (where applicable): A candidate with OCI or PIO status will need to submit this document.
4. NRI Embassy Certificate: A certificate by the Indian Embassy or Consulate abroad certifying that the parent or the candidate is an NRI.
To get the NRI Certificate from the Indian Mission or Post abroad, the following additional documents must be submitted:
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Complete (with signature) application form (at Mission/Post)
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Two recent colour passport photographs
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Original copy of passport of India and photocopies of the pages with immigration stamps
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Documentary evidence of immigration status (PR card, work permit or landing papers)
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Legal evidence of residence in the country of residence (e.g., utility bills, driver license)
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A letter specifying the reason why NRI certificate is required (e.g. to take admission in MBBS)
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The certificate of NRI is valid within a year, and upon extension, one year the applicant is to remain abroad and submit new evidence of paying or documenting residence.
The NRI Certificate is valid for one year, and it can be renewed if the applicant continues to reside abroad and provides updated proof of stay.
Top NRI Quota Medical Colleges Participating in NEET 2026
For NEET UG 2026, the medical colleges offering NRI quota seats will mostly be the same as those in 2025. These colleges include deemed universities, private medical colleges, and some central institutions. Although there is no official “top” list, many reputed deemed universities and private colleges reserve about 15% of seats for NRIs.
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Deemed Universities like GITAM, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal), Symbiosis Medical College (Pune), JSS Medical College (Mysuru), Amrita Institute (Kochi), and Sri Ramachandra Medical College (Chennai) are popular choices for NRI seats.
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Private Colleges in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, and Bihar also offer NRI seats, for example, NRI Medical College (Guntur) and Parul Institute (Vadodara).
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Central Universities like Aligarh Muslim University may have limited NRI seats besides the general All India Quota.
Since details may vary and NRI seat information is not always in the central seat matrix, candidates must verify details directly from college websites or admission offices.
NEET NRI Quota 2026 FAQs
Q1: What does NRI, OCI, and PIO mean for NEET 2026?
Ans: NRI means Non-Resident Indian living abroad. OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) and PIO (Person of Indian Origin) are categories eligible for NRI quota seats, with OCI cardholders treated like Indian citizens for general seats.
Q2: What are the eligibility criteria for NRI quota seats?
Ans : Candidates must qualify NEET UG, be 17–25 years old, have 50% marks in PCB (40% for reserved), and be NRIs, children of NRIs, or sponsored by NRI relatives.
Q3: How does the two-tier priority system work?
Ans: Priority 1 is for NRIs or their children, who get first preference. Priority 2 is for candidates sponsored by NRI relatives, considered only if Priority 1 seats remain vacant.
Q4: What are the approximate fees for NRI quota seats?
Ans : Fees vary, often paid in USD. Some deemed universities charge around $45,000 annually. A security deposit is also required. Exact fees must be checked with colleges.
Q5: What is the admission process for NRI quota?
Ans : Candidates register online on MCC’s website, fill choices, and participate in counselling rounds. Only NRI seats appear for these candidates. Physical reporting with documents is mandatory.
Q6: How many seats are reserved for the NRI quota?
Ans : Generally, 15% of seats in deemed and private colleges are reserved for NRIs, but exact numbers vary by college.
