OCI Students and Indian Students to be Treated Equally for BDS, MBBS Admissions: Karnataka HC

Karnataka High Court bench held that students with Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards shall be treated at par with Indian citizens during the admission process for undergraduate dental and medical courses. The high court of Karnataka passed this order when the Karnataka State Government passed an NOC for admission at par. 

Karnataka High Court bench recently granted interim relief to a UK-born petitioner studying in Bengaluru for treating Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) at par with Indian citizens during admission counselling for medical and dental courses. 

"We are of the opinion that this submission can be recorded that the OCI cardholders are to be permitted to participate in Online counselling for admission to undergraduate courses in Medical, Dental and Engineering for the Academic Year 2024-2025 for both Government and Private seats, on par with Indian citizens," as reported by the Medical Dialogues.

This order was passed after the State Government's NOC regarding OCI students to be treated equally with Indian students for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses at government and private colleges for the academic year 2024-25. 

What Had Happened?

The petition was filed by a UK-born student on January 9, 2024. Under the plea, the petitioner challenged the eligibility for OCI/PIO candidates for admission in dental and medical government seats. The petitioner further highlighted the Central Government order in 2005 and 2009 pertaining to the rights of OCI to appear for an All-India Pre-Medical Test at par with Indian Citizens. 

Final Verdict

As their judgement, the High Court bench said that OCI cardholders shall be allowed to participate in online counselling at par with Indian citizens for admission in private and medical colleges for the academic year 2024-25. 

As per the latest notification, OCI cardholders would be eligible for admission only against NRI or supernumerary seats. The OCI won't be eligible for seats reserved for Indian citizens." However, the bench passed an interim relief through its judgement to OCI candidates to participate in general category counselling for the NEET exam. 

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