The number of MBBS seats reserved for NRIs has risen from 57 to 105 across 14 government medical colleges, with fees fixed at Rs 25.09 lakh
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
Karnataka has nearly doubled the number of MBBS seats available under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota in government medical colleges, increasing the total from 57 last year to 105 this year.
The seats are now available across 14 government medical institutions, compared with nine colleges when the quota was introduced in the previous academic year. The move is expected to give more NRI students an opportunity to pursue medical education in the state.
Under the revised arrangement, 15 per cent of the additional MBBS seats created at government colleges have been allocated to the NRI category. This has resulted in several institutions offering about eight NRI seats each.
The annual fee for an NRI quota seat in government medical colleges has been fixed at Rs 25,09,350. The quota was introduced to help government medical institutions generate additional revenue and reduce their dependence on state funding.
The expansion comes as Karnataka’s overall medical education capacity continues to grow. The state has 15,395 MBBS seats this year, while option entry for medical and dental courses has begun
The increased availability of government NRI seats is also affecting private medical colleges. At least seven private institutions have reduced their NRI quota fees this year, with cuts ranging from a few thousand rupees to as much as Rs 4 lakh.
However, fees vary considerably between colleges. The highest NRI quota fee remains Rs 45 lakh at MS Ramaiah Medical College, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Chikkaballapur.
The expansion is likely to intensify competition among colleges for NRI students, while giving families abroad more government-sector options for medical education in Karnataka.
