The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has approved the change of 188 NEET UG 2025 candidates from the Indian category to the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) category. This approval comes during the ongoing counselling process and provides new opportunities for eligible candidates to get admission to medical colleges under the NRI quota. Generally, this quota has a higher fee but offers more seats than the general category.

The MCC made this decision after carefully reviewing the applications from candidates who requested the change. These candidates applied for NRI status based on guidelines from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). According to the MEA press release, candidates wanting to switch to the NRI category must submit valid documentation from the embassy that confirms their NRI status or that of their sponsor or guardian.

To move forward with the NRI seat allocation, candidates must email the required documents to the MCC at [email protected] by 5:00 PM on August 3, 2025. They should send all documents in one email to prevent delays or complications. The deadline for submission is strictly enforced because complete and timely documentation is essential for provisional eligibility under the NRI quota.

The MCC has stated that certain documents are required for consideration. These include the candidate’s NEET scorecard from the National Testing Agency (NTA), a sworn affidavit from the relevant Indian embassy in the proper MEA format declaring that the candidate’s bona fide guardian will cover the entire course fee, a notarized relationship document showing the guardian’s link to the candidate, and a self-attested declaration from the candidate.

It’s important to understand that the eligibility given to these candidates under the NRI quota is provisional. The MCC will review and approve documentation for counselling, but final validation of NRI status will happen when reporting to the assigned medical college. College authorities will check the documents, and the embassy certificates will be verified by the Ministry of External Affairs or the respective Indian High Commissions.

The MCC has also stressed the importance of document authenticity. If any submitted documents turn out to be forged, the candidate’s provisional seat will be cancelled immediately. Furthermore, legal or disciplinary actions will be taken against both the candidate and the college involved in the fraudulent admission. This acts as a strong warning to discourage misuse of the NRI quota and to promote transparency and fairness in the counselling process.

This approval is part of the MCC’s effort to simplify the admission process for NEET UG candidates and offer clarity to those who genuinely qualify for NRI seats. The NRI quota often involves a higher tuition fee but can be vital for students with NRI sponsors or guardians, as it opens access to additional seats that are not available in the domestic quota.

Candidates whose NRI status has been provisionally approved can now choose NRI seats on the MCC counselling portal during the ongoing rounds. They should be careful and ensure their documentation is valid and matches the guidelines from the MCC and MEA. Any mistakes at this stage can lead to disqualification.

As counselling for NEET UG 2025 continues, this approval represents an important step in accommodating the diverse backgrounds and legal statuses of Indian medical applicants, particularly those with connections abroad. Candidates can check the official MCC website for more updates, including the downloadable form and the complete list of candidates whose NRI status changes have been approved.

This update aims to provide clarity and guidance for students navigating the complex NEET counselling procedures and reaffirms the MCC’s commitment to fair, transparent, and merit-based admissions to medical colleges across India.