NEET PG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round: Surge in NRI Status Conversions as Aspirants Eye High-Demand Clinical Seats
Today, February 17, 2026, marks a distinctive shift in the final phase of medical postgraduate admissions. While thousands are focused on the start of the choice-filling window for the NEET PG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round, a significant administrative trend has emerged: a sharp uptick in candidates converting their nationality status from "Indian" to "NRI." This strategic move, often seen as a final attempt to secure high-demand clinical seats, is reshaping the competition in the closing days of the counseling cycle. For regular updates on conversion lists and final seat allotments, follow Only Education News.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has reported a notable increase in applications for nationality conversion from Indian to NRI for the ongoing Stray Vacancy Round. Following a time-bound window that closed on February 16, hundreds of candidates have submitted sponsorship documents to qualify for NRI quota seats. This "uptick" is primarily driven by recent judicial expansions that allow candidates to be sponsored by extended NRI relatives, such as uncles, aunts, or grandparents, rather than just immediate parents.
To stay updated on the official list of successfully converted candidates, follow Only Education News.
Why the Surge? The Strategy Behind the Switch
The Stray Vacancy Round is a "cleanup" phase where seats that remained vacant after Round 3 are filled. For many, the NRI quota offers a second lease on life for their medical careers:
- Lower Cut-offs: Historically, NRI quota seats in private and deemed universities have significantly lower closing ranks compared to general or management quotas.
- Clinical Branch Availability: Premium branches like Radiology, Dermatology, and General Medicine, which are often exhausted in early general rounds, sometimes reappear in the Stray Round as unfilled NRI vacancies.
- Revised Qualifying Percentile: With the qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2025 reduced to zero, a larger pool of candidates now has the financial backing to opt for these high-fee seats.
The Financial Reality
While the competition is lighter, the financial commitment is substantial. NRI quota fees in India are among the highest in the professional education sector.
| Specialty | Approximate Annual NRI Fee (USD) | Approx. INR Equivalent (Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Diagnosis / Dermatology | $1,05,000 – $1,75,000 | ₹85 - ₹145 Lakhs |
| General Medicine / Orthopaedics | $50,000 – $1,20,000 | ₹40 - ₹100 Lakhs |
| Anaesthesiology | $40,000 – $80,000 | ₹33 - ₹65 Lakhs |
Strict Verification and No Reversion
The MCC has warned candidates that the conversion to NRI status is permanent for the remainder of the 2025-26 academic session. If a candidate converts to NRI but fails to secure a seat or cannot afford the fee at the time of admission, they cannot revert to the Indian/General category to claim a seat in other state or central rounds. Furthermore, candidates must present a notarized sponsorship affidavit and a valid NRI certificate from the Indian Embassy at the time of physical reporting.
As the choice-filling continues today, candidates are advised to verify the specific fee structure of each deemed university before locking their choices. For a breakdown of the top 10 deemed universities with the most vacant NRI seats, follow Only Education News.