Bengaluru: The number of NRI quota seats in govt medical colleges has nearly doubled to 105 this year, with the quota now available in 14 colleges.When the quota was first introduced in govt medical colleges last year, 57 seats were offered across nine colleges. This year, it has been extended to all govt colleges that received an increase in intake. The 15% quota was applied to the additional seats, resulting in around eight NRI seats in many colleges.NRI quota seats in govt colleges are priced at Rs 25,09,350. The quota was introduced to help govt medical colleges become self-reliant instead of relying heavily on state grants. This year, well-known institutions such as Mysore Medical College and Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi, have also introduced NRI quota seats.In a likely after-effect, at least seven private medical colleges have reduced fees for their NRI quota seats. The cuts range from a few thousand rupees to Rs 4 lakh.“It is a question of supply and demand. The number of colleges has increased, so have the seats. Even govt colleges have started a high fee category. The competition has increased. It is about who can afford to pay. Some medical colleges have to thus continue to tweak their fees to attract students,” said MR Jayaram, honorary secretary, Karnataka Private Medical and Dental Colleges Association.“Demand continues to be there, but affordability is a major factor that colleges need to keep in mind. The number of seats has increased this year. This is apart from the NRI quota that govt colleges started at Rs 25 lakh. So while we maintained the management quota at Rs 36,11,950, the NRI quota fees is at Rs 34,11,950. NRI seats are important as it is how we balance the expenditure on the low-fee seats,” said the chairman of one of the colleges that have reduced fees.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, Chikkaballapur.Some colleges, meanwhile, have increased their NRI quota fees. These are mostly institutions that charged Rs 28 lakh to Rs 35 lakh last year.Overall, 15,395 MBBS seats are up for grabs this year. Option entry for medical and dental seats has begun.
