A Guide to Medical Admission for NRI Students in India:

Eligibility, Guidelines, and Application Process

Do you wish to study in India to become a doctor? You haven't figured out how to get into one of India's medical schools yet? This handpicked guide will take you through the different areas that you must be familiar with before you begin your next endeavor to pursue a medical degree in and outside of India.

To begin, you should know that, according to the Medical Council of India (MCI), the NEET exam is required for students intending to study medicine in India and abroad. Because there are about 900 universities and 40,000 colleges in India, the Government has allotted seats under the NRI Quota for NRI students and foreign nationals.

What is NEET Exam?

The NEET or National Eligibility Entrance Test is an entrance exam for Indian medical and dental colleges. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is in charge of it. If you want to study medicine in India, you must have passed Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in your Grade 10 and 12. In the NEET-undergraduate or NEET-UG test, grades in mathematics are not included.

NTA also runs NEET post-graduation or NEET-PG, a test designated as the single entrance examination for admission to different post-graduate diploma degrees.

The exam lasts three hours and requires you to answer 180 questions, with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology being the major subjects. The exam is available in 11 regional languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, and many more.

NTA announces the counseling procedure as soon as the results are released. You can always check their website as the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) typically publishes the counseling schedule there. At the time of the counseling round, you must present your passing certificate.

What is NRI Quota for Medical College?

NRI Quota refers to the reserved seats by Indian colleges and universities for non-resident Indians. Under the NRI Quota, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Foreign Nationals are eligible for admission.

The NRI Quota allows seats to be reserved in all major areas, including engineering, medicine, law, and other courses. If you're an NRI student who wishes to return to your home country and study medicine, your eligibility as a candidate is recognized.

Universities in India provide a 15% NRI Medical College Quota reserved by the MCI for NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs, in addition to the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and the 85% State Quota. You, however, must pass the NEET test to get admitted to these universities.

All India Quota (AIQ)

The Medical Council of India set aside 15% of seats in all government medical and dental universities for students who meet the AIQ cut-off. Whether Indian or non-resident Indians, all students are eligible for this quota.

State Quota

The state is responsible for the remaining 85% of the quotas. Students can apply for admission in their home states.

Are you an NRI candidate?

You are an NRI candidate if:

• You settled in foreign countries but have an Indian origin.
• You live overseas, but your parents are of Indian origin.
• You are an Indian who is working or pursuing business abroad.
• You are a student who has lived outside of India for five years and completed their Grade 9 to Grade 12 outside of India.
• Your parents are Indian government employees deployed abroad.

Who is Eligible for NRI Quota?

You are an NRI candidate qualified for NRI Quota if you meet the following conditions:

• You passed the NEET Exam.
• You have a valid passport.
• You have one of your parents residing abroad as an NRI.

As stated by the supreme court of India, the sponsor financing the education must be a non-resident Indian and a first-degree relative of the student.

In case you have no parents or relatives, the guardian must be an NRI residing abroad and must regard you as a ward, as evidenced by an affidavit demonstrating interest in your student's affairs. The following are required documents to be presented by the sponsor:

• A sponsor's evidence of NRI/OCI/PIO status in the form of a certificate issued by the Indian Embassy, Government of India, coupled with a certificate signed by the parents.
• An affidavit from the sponsor saying that he or she is responsible for the student and will cover the full program cost.
• NRIs' bank account passbook.
• Passport
• Visa
• Proof of Residence
• Birth Certificate
• Work Permit Certificate.

How to Apply?

After receiving your NEET results, you must apply for the NRI quota during state counselling. NRI places in government and private medical institutions are exclusively available at the state level. If you're an NRI student applying for NRI quota admission to a medical college, here's how to proceed:

1. On the NTA NEET website, you may apply for the NEET-UG test.
2. Pass the NEET test.
3. If you wish to apply for NRI quota admission to a government or private medical school, register for state counseling.
4. For admission to the NRI quota, each state has its own procedures.

What are the required documents for medical admission under the NRI quotas?

1. Passport
2. Student Visa
3. Non-Objection Certificate provided by the candidate's country's ambassador allowing them to stay and study in India.
4. Grade 10 and 12 grade-sheets
5. Certificate of Vaccination
6. Certificate of Transfer
7. Certificate of Health
8. Certificate of Migration

Where does the NEET Exam take place?

The NEET normally holds exam centers in 155 cities throughout India. This year, the Union Territory of Ladakh has been included as a new NEET 2021 exam center. You are also free to choose four exam centers based on your convenience.

However, as per the new NTA announcement, there will be no exam centers outside India starting in 2022. Candidates from other countries will have to come to India to take the NEET 2022 exam.

Can you pay the NEET examination fee online?

Yes, you can pay the NEET examination fee online.

Candidates can pay for the application form using a credit/debit card or through net banking. And if you're residing outside of the country, with Remitbee's money transfer service, you can send money to India hassle-free! Remitbee offers the best exchange rate for Indians and free transfer when you spend over $500.

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