I have a nativity certificate, can I apply for neet as an 'Indian National' instead of NRI (I am studying abroad from 9th to 12th)

Hi Kannan

Usually, NRI status is attained when an Indian citizen leaves India for the purpose of education, stay with parents/ children, with the intention of staying abroad for an uncertain period. In such cases, s/he becomes an NRI the moment s/he leaves India, even if s/he has not stayed abroad for 182 days or more during the financial year.

However, they will have to make clear the reason they are going abroad if they are not sure when they plan to return. The authorities will evaluate this on case-to-case basis.

For admission to MBBS and BDS courses, you can only obtain admission to seats available under NRI quota if you fall under these categories-

• One of your parents should be an NRI and is residing abroad as an NRI.
• If a person other than the parents is sponsoring your education, then s/ he should be first degree relative like the brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, paternal/maternal cousin.
• If a student is taken as a ward by some other nearest relative who is an NRI.

In all the other cases, you should be considered as a citizen of India considering you have a nativity certificate. Please specify the nativity certificate, as to take admission to 15% All India Quota seats, candidates require Aadhar/ PAN/ Driving Licence/Passport as proof of identity. I hope you hold one of these ID proofs. Apart from this, for admission to state quota seats, the regulations change from state to state.

Since you have mentioned, you will complete Class 12 from a foreign country. In this case, you will be required to submit Code 7 as qualifying examination code while filling the application form. You are required to pass the qualifying examination with subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English up to Class 12 with 50% equivalency. Also, ensure that you seek a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) claiming that your qualification is equivalent to Class 12 of any Indian University.


Hope it helps! All the best!

Dear Kannan, if you are an Indian citizen and have been studying abroad only for 3-4 years, you qualify as an Indian National. An NRI is someone who has been away for an indefinite period of time either for business, vocation or employment reasons. Staying abroad for educational purposes doesnt put you in the NRI Category. Good luck!