The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised and updated its eligibility criteria for the non-resident Indian (NRI) applicants for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2023. The Indian nationals, NRIs, overseas citizens of India (OCI), persons with Indian origin (PIO) and foreign nationals are now eligible for admission in medical, dental, ayurveda, siddha, unani and homoeopathy colleges keeping in consideration the rules and regulations framed for it. Previously, the OCI card holders were permitted for admission against a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) seat or a supernumerary seat only.
“In pursuance of the Judgment dated 03.02.2023 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in W.P(C) 891/2021 and connected matters and in supersession of earlier corrigendum dated 31.03.2023 on the subject, aspiring OCI Candidates of NEET (UG) 2023 are hereby informed that the amended provision of Clause 5.2.2 of the Information Bulletin of NEET (UG) 2023 dealing with the Eligibility of OCI Cardholders for NEET (UG) shall be read as follows,” added an NTA statement.
According to the NTA, the existing provision for OCI candidates given in the NEET UG 2023 information bulletin added that the OCI cardholder including a PIO card holder is a foreign national having a passport of a different country and is not an Indian citizen.
The updated eligibility criteria states, “Indian Nationals, Non Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), Persons with Indian Origin (PIO) and Foreign Nationals are eligible for admission in Medical/ Dental/ Ayurveda/ Siddha/ Unani/ Homeopathy Colleges subject to rules and regulations framed by the respective State Governments, Institutions and the Government of India as the case may be.”