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Hi, I had a question related to colleges in india. my daughter is US citizen and moved to India for 7th grade. she has PIO issued in 2012, Converted to OCI in 2022. My question is: does she has to apply only in NRI quotae for NEET/JEE,or is she eligible for PIO/OCI quota?


Harini Reddy 29th Nov, 2025
Answers (3)
AKKSHEETHA M 30th Nov, 2025

Hello,
Many private and government-affiliated institutions in India have specfial quotas for foreign nationals.
Admission under this category usually depends on her valid passport or citizenship status and her qualifying exam. Some colleges may also require entrance exams, depending on the course.
Hope this helps you.

Akhila A 29th Nov, 2025

Hello aspirant,

Your daughter, being a US citizen with an OCI card , is not required to apply only through the NRI quota . For most Indian entrance exams and college admissions, OCI/PIO candidates are eligible to apply under the general (Indian) category unless a specific institute has separate OCI/NRI seats.

For JEE Main and NEET , OCI/PIO students are fully eligible to write the exam in the same way as Indian nationals . She can compete for general seats , and she is not restricted to only the NRI quota. The NRI quota is optional, not mandatory.

However, a few private or deemed universities may have special NRI/OCI seats , but this is institute-specific.

All the best!

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Prachi Kumari 29th Nov, 2025

Hello,

Since she is an OCI (formerly PIO) cardholder, for most Indian colleges:

  • NEET: OCI holders are treated as foreign nationals . They cannot take the general (Indian citizen) seat . They usually apply under the NRI/OCI/PIO quota . Some states have separate PIO/OCI quotas , but mostly it comes under NRI quota .

  • JEE (Main/Advanced): For most engineering colleges like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, OCI holders are not considered Indian citizens . They generally have to apply under the foreign/NRI quota .

So, in short: she cannot apply in the regular Indian quota . She will apply under the NRI/OCI category.

Hope it helps !

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