112 NRI MBBS Seats Vacant in Andhra Pradesh: What Happens Next?

After four rounds of counselling in Andhra Pradesh, 112 MBBS seats reserved for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) candidates remain unfilled for the 2026–27 academic year. The Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS), which conducts admissions in the state, has asked the National Medical Commission (NMC) to extend the admission deadline and consider lowering the NEET qualifying percentile to fill these vacancies. This development affects both NRI aspirants and the overall MBBS seat availability in Andhra Pradesh.

Why Are 112 NRI MBBS Seats Still Empty?

Andhra Pradesh conducted a full cycle of MBBS counselling for the 2026–27 academic year, including the stray vacancy round (the final round where remaining seats are offered). Despite this, 112 MBBS seats under the NRI quota went unfilled. Of these, 95 seats are in private medical colleges, while 9 are at Paderu Government Medical College and 8 at Padmavathi Medical College.

The stray vacancy round concluded on 23 October 2026, but these seats remained vacant. This suggests that either the number of eligible NRI candidates was insufficient, or the NEET qualifying percentile set by the NMC was too high for the available pool of applicants.

What Is NTRUHS Asking the NMC to Do?

NTRUHS, the state university responsible for MBBS admissions in Andhra Pradesh, has formally requested the NMC to consider two changes: (1) extend the admission deadline by 15 days beyond the original cut-off of 26 October 2026, and (2) reduce the NEET UG 2026 qualifying percentile to make more candidates eligible for these vacant seats.

The university's registrar also noted that the Andhra Pradesh Private Medical and Dental Colleges Managements Association has separately requested an extension until 20 November 2026. These requests aim to give more time and more candidates a chance to fill the empty seats.

What Does the NMC's Response Mean for Aspirants?

The NMC has indicated it will review NTRUHS's request after the current admission deadline (26 October 2026) passes. The commission has not yet approved or rejected the extension or percentile reduction. This means the outcome is still uncertain, and aspirants should not assume these changes will happen.

If the NMC approves the extension, NRI candidates who did not secure a seat in the stray vacancy round may get another opportunity. If the percentile is lowered, candidates who scored below the current qualifying threshold could become eligible. However, both decisions rest with the NMC, and the timeline for its decision is unclear.

Understanding the NRI Quota and Why It Matters

The NRI quota is a separate pool of MBBS seats reserved for Indian citizens living abroad or holding foreign passports. These seats are distinct from the general, OBC, SC, and ST categories. NRI seats often have higher fees and different eligibility rules, and they are typically filled through a dedicated counselling process.

When NRI seats remain vacant, it reflects either low demand from NRI candidates or a mismatch between the qualifying criteria and the applicant pool. Filling these seats is important for medical colleges because it ensures full enrolment and revenue, and for the healthcare system because it maximizes the use of available MBBS positions.

How Does This Affect General NEET Aspirants?

If the NMC approves an extension and percentile reduction for NRI seats, it is unlikely to directly affect general-category MBBS aspirants in Andhra Pradesh, because NRI seats are a separate quota. However, the decision may set a precedent for how the NMC handles vacant seats in other states or categories.

For NRI candidates or their families, this development is significant. It suggests that if you are an NRI and did not secure a seat in the stray round, you should monitor NMC announcements closely. An extension could provide a second window to apply.

What Is the Stray Vacancy Round and Why Didn't It Fill These Seats?

The stray vacancy round is the final stage of NEET UG counselling. After the first, second, and mop-up (third) rounds, any remaining seats are offered in the stray round to eligible candidates who did not secure a seat earlier. This is typically the last chance to get a seat in that academic year.

The fact that 112 seats remained vacant even after the stray round suggests that the number of eligible NRI candidates who applied fell short of the number of available seats. This can happen if the NEET qualifying percentile is set too high, if there is low awareness among NRI candidates, or if NRI applicants chose seats in other states or abroad.

What Could a Percentile Reduction Mean?

The NEET qualifying percentile is the minimum score (expressed as a percentile rank) that a candidate must achieve to be eligible for MBBS counselling. For example, if the current percentile is 50, only candidates scoring at or above the 50th percentile are eligible. Lowering it to, say, 40 would make more candidates eligible.

If the NMC approves a percentile reduction for NRI seats, candidates who scored below the current threshold but above the new threshold would become eligible to participate in a fresh counselling round. This is a significant change because it expands the candidate pool and increases the chances of filling vacant seats.

Timeline: What Happens Next and When?

The original MBBS admission deadline for Andhra Pradesh is 26 October 2026. The NMC will review NTRUHS's request after this date. There is no announced timeline for the NMC's decision, so aspirants and colleges should expect a delay of several days or weeks.

If the NMC approves an extension, a new deadline will be announced, and a fresh counselling round may be conducted. Aspirants should regularly check the NMC website and NTRUHS portal for updates. Do not assume the process has ended just because the original deadline has passed.

Private vs. Government Colleges: Where Are the Vacant Seats?

Of the 112 vacant NRI seats, 95 are in private medical colleges. This is significant because private colleges often have higher fees and may attract fewer NRI applicants compared to government colleges. The remaining 17 seats are split between two government colleges: Paderu (9 seats) and Padmavathi (8 seats).

If you are an NRI candidate and the deadline is extended, you may have more options to choose from, especially in private colleges. However, be aware of the fee structure and accreditation status of any college you consider.

Frequently asked questions

If you are an NRI candidate or your child is, stay alert to NMC announcements over the coming weeks. An extension and percentile reduction could open a new window for MBBS admission in Andhra Pradesh. Bookmark the NMC and NTRUHS websites and check them weekly for updates.