NEW DELHI: Dr. Lakshya Mittal, National President of the United Doctors Front, has expressed deep concern over a significant rise in the issuance of NRI certificates for medical admissions, triggering fears of large-scale fraud in Indiaโs medical education system.
Data obtained from the Indian Consulate in Dubai reveals that the number of NRI certificates issued for college admissions in India has more than doubled over the past three years. The figure jumped from 2,093 in 2022 to 2,394 in 2023, and further surged to 2,878 in 2024.
โThis is a major scam in medical admissions,โ said Dr. Lakshya Mittal. โThe government must act now to protect deserving students. A high-level inquiry is needed to scrutinize all NRI certificates issued in recent years.โ
In 2023, nine fake certificates were discovered. This number increased to 24 in 2024. The real concern, experts warn, is how many fake NRI certificates may have gone unnoticed in previous years.
When The New Indian asked Dr. Mittal about the primary loopholes enabling fake NRI certificates, he explained, โThe primary flaw lies in the absence of a centralized verification and cross-checking mechanism. Currently, consulates issue NRI certificates based on basic documentation, such as passports and residency proofs, without thorough background checks.โ
He further added, โAdditionally, there is no mandatory re-verification unless authorities suspect foul play. This weak oversight allows fraudulent applicants to exploit the system and secure seats under the NRI quota without being actual non-resident Indians.โ
NRI Quota Misuse Undermines Merit-Based Admissions
The NRI quota system provides an opportunity for students with foreign residency to secure seats in Indian medical colleges, often by paying significantly higher fees. However, the recent surge in fake certificates suggests that this provision is being misused, potentially denying seats to deserving NEET-qualified candidates.
This scam directly impacts meritorious students who miss out on admissions despite achieving high NEET scores. By exploiting the NRI quota, fraudulent candidates bypass the merit system, reducing competition and compromising educational standards. This manipulation not only denies opportunities to deserving students but may also drive talent abroad in search of better educational prospects.
โThe NRI quota is meant for genuine overseas Indians,โ said Dr. Mittal. โBut fake applicants exploit it to bypass merit-based admissions by paying hefty fees. This reduces competition, devalues medical education standards, and crushes the dreams of hardworking students who deserve those seats. It also leads to brain drain, as talented students may opt for education abroad due to a lack of opportunities at home.โ
Unfortunately, due to the opaque nature of the system, many students remain unaware of the fraud. Dr. Mittal explained, โOnly when universities conduct random verifications do some fake certificates come to light, as seen in the recent RTI revelation from Dubai. However, the true scale of this injustice remains hidden, as a large number of forged certificates may never get scrutinized.โ
Mittal Calls for Urgent Reform
Experts are demanding comprehensive reforms to curb this malpractice. Suggested measures include:
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Centralized digital verification of all NRI certificates.
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Mandatory scrutiny of NRI certificates by medical colleges before admissions.
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Independent audits and re-verification of previously issued certificates.
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Strict legal action against those found guilty of submitting fake documents.
Dr. Mittal emphasized the need for immediate action to restore fairness in medical admissions. โWe need a nationwide audit of NRI quota admissions, along with stringent measures to prevent manipulation,โ he stated.
