The Medical Council of India has issued circular advising medical colleges to admit students under the Non-resident Indian (NRI) quota based on merits through a common entrance test.
The circular, dated January 16, available on the MCI website exhorts colleges to abide by the norm from the next academic year of 2015-2016.
Since government-run medical colleges do not admit NRI students, the rule does not apply to them, a medical education official said.
Every private medical college is allowed 15 per cent seats under the NRI quota. Self-financing colleges have management quota and a guideline exists that deemed universities should form a consortium of colleges and hold a common entrance test for admission. “But we don’t how far this is transparent,” the official added.
S. Ramalingam, principal of PSG Institute of Medical Sciences, which is allowed to admit as many as 22 students under the category said such students get an equivalence certificate certifying their eligibility from the Association of Indian Universities.
Seat restriction
“Around 200 to 300 students may apply but there are seat restrictions. We are affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University and as the State does not have an entrance exam it rests with the government to provide directions to us.”
While JSN Murthy, Vice Chancellor of Sri Ramachandra University, which has been admitting students under NRI quota, however, said he was not aware of the new circular but would abide by it if is made the norm.
Principal of Vinayaka Missions Kirupananda Variyar Medical College K. Jayapaul said a common entrance test was held and the merit list was sent to the MCI.
“We can admit only 100 students and if there are NRI students we follow the Supreme Court ruling for admission,” he said.
