Context The Supreme Court has permitted Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) candidates to participate in the NEET-UG 2021 counselling in the general category.
The court clarified that the order allowing the OCIs to compete in the general category was confined to the 2021-2022 academic year alone.
Background
Ministry of Home Affairs had directed OCI candidates to be treated on a par with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) for the purpose of NEET.
This would have meant that successful OCI candidates would have to pay the higher fee paid by NRIs for medical seats in India.
What is the difference between NRI and OCI?
NRI is given to provide a residential status to a citizen of India with an Indian Passport who resides in a foreign country for the purpose of work/business, or education.
OCI is an immigration status which is provided to a foreign citizen of Indian origin as an alternative for dual citizenship which is not allowed by the Indian Constitution.
