NEWS TODAY 01,02.2026

 

39 govt MBBS NRI seats go for ₹25L to non-NRI students in Karnataka

39 govt MBBS NRI seats go for ₹25L to non-NRI students in Karnataka 

Sruthy Susan Ullas and Sandeep Moudgal 01.02.2026

TNN Bengaluru : A political and ethical storm has erupted in Karnataka over the state govt’s decision to open MBBS admissions in govt medical colleges under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota — a move that critics allege has resulted in affordable govt seats being effectively sold at a premium. 

During NEET-2025 counselling, 57 MBBS seats were earmarked under the NRI category in govt medical colleges. However, only 18 eligible NRI candidates took up these seats. The remaining 39 were subsequently allotted to non NRI students at a steep fee of Rs 25 lakh per year. The decision has triggered criticism from political leaders and stakeholders in medical education, who argue meritorious students are being priced out of govt institutions. 

800 NEET PG aspirants shifted from India to NRI, Other Book, 

 MLA alleges fund diversion from varsity 

BJP MLA Y Bharath Shetty alleged funds were being diverted from RGUHS to start new medical colleges. “While Ramanagara college is run directly by RGUHS, why is money being diverted from the university for Kanakapura and Bagalkot medical colleges? Should the govt not be earmarking money for the specific purpose?” Shetty said, claiming Rs 500 crore was utilised for the new colleges. 

Officials cite similar models in other states . The policy was announced in September 2025, when the state govt declared that 15% of seats in govt medical colleges would be reserved for NRIs at higher fees — a practice until then limited to private medical colleges. While a regular govt MBBS seat costs Rs 64,350 annually, an NRI quota seat carries a price tag of Rs 25 lakh per year. By comparison, NRI seats in private medical colleges in Karnataka cost up to Rs 45 lakh annually. 

The govt’s stated objective behind the move was to make govt medical colleges financially selfreliant and reduce dependence on state grants. However, the timing of the policy proved crucial. By the time the NRI quota was introduced, the seat matrix for the first round of counselling had already been finalised. As a result, the quota was applied only to 252 additional seats created across 10 govt medical colleges, of which 57 fell under the NRI category. 

Data from the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) shows that only 18 eligible NRI candidates applied and were allotted seats. As per rules, the remaining 39 seats were then offered to other eligible applicants in the nonNRI category who were willing to pay NRI fees — a move that sparked the controversy. The issue was raised in the legislative assembly earlier this week by BJP MLA Y Bharath Shetty from Mangaluru North. “For the first time in India, Karnataka is selling govt medical seats for Rs 25 lakh per year,” Shetty alleged. “A seat, which was meant to be affordable for a meritorious Kannadiga student at Rs 1-1.5 lakh per year, is now being sold by the govt [at a much higher price],” he added. Govt officials, however, defended the policy, stating that similar models are followed in Gujarat and Rajasthan. 

“This proposal has existed since 2005. It is a way for colleges to generate funds to develop infrastructure, improve facilities, and ensure student welfare,” a govt official said. He argued that with the National Medical Commission (NMC) increasing the number of seats in govt colleges, general category students would not lose out.

Over 800 NEET PG aspirants converted from Indian to NRI Change

Over 800 NEET PG aspirants converted from Indian to NRI Change 

Gives Them A Crack At Costly Seats With Less Competition

Rema.Nagarajan@timesofindia.com 01.02.2026

Medical Counselling Committee that allocates postgraduate seats in various medical specialties has released a list of 811 candidates who have chosen to “change their nationality” from Indian to NRI to get seats in the third round in 2025-26. Seats in NRI quota are the most expensive but that also means competition is less, with cut-offs lower than even for management quota. In effect, therefore, conversion to NRI gives those with low NEET scores but deep pockets a shot at getting seats in high demand clinical disciplines. 

The 811 candidates found to be eligible for conversion to NRI quota include two categories — those who actually are NRIs or children of NRIs and a second category of those who can show themselves to be wards of first degree or second degree relatives who are NRIs. 

There are 113 candidates in the first group and 698 in the second group. The lowest score among NRIs in the first category is 82 out of 800, while it is 28 in the second category. In the first category, 75 candidates scored less than 215, which means their rank is below 1.5 lakh. Over 422 of 698 candidates in the second category of NRIs are below 1.5 lakh rank. But these candidates can afford the NRI quota fees for any specialty. 

Fees for NRI quota PG seats in a clinical specialty could be as high as ₹45 lakh to ₹95 lakh per year, depending on the specialty, state and deemed university. If courts and govt did not allow conversion of Indians to NRIs, many of the quota seats would remain unfilled and would have to be converted into management seats where the fees would be much less. However, with even courts accepting the argument that private medical colleges cannot afford any financial loss, definition of NRIs has been expanded to allow candidates who don’t have NRI parents or siblings to show themselves as a ward of relatives. 

K’taka NRI seats sold for ₹25L to non-NRIs: MLA 

A political and ethical storm has erupted in Karnataka over the state govt’s decision to offer MBBS admissions in govt medical colleges under NRI quota — a move critics allege has resulted in affordable govt seats being effectively sold at a premium, report Sruthy Susan Ullas and Sandeep Moudgal . BJP’s Mangaluru North MLA Y Bharath Shetty raised the issue in the assembly earlier this week. “For the first time, Karnataka is selling govt medical seats for ₹25 lakh per year. A seat, which was meant to be affordable for a meritorious Kannadigaat ₹1-1.5 lakh per year, is now being sold by govt (at a much higher price),” he alleged.