Special Categories and Quotas for Admission to Medical Colleges through NEET

There are several special categories and quotas available for admission to medical colleges through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). These categories and quotas are designed to ensure equal opportunities and representation for various sections of society. Let's explore these in detail:

1. All India Quota (AIQ):
- 15% of the total seats in government medical and dental colleges across India are reserved under the All India Quota.
- These seats are open to students from all states and Union Territories (UTs) of India.
- Admissions under the AIQ are conducted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), on behalf of the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC).

2. State Quota:
- The remaining 85% of seats in government medical and dental colleges are reserved for students from the respective states or UTs.
- Each state conducts its own counseling process and sets eligibility criteria for admission.
- The state quota also includes reservations for various categories such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

3. Central Pool Quota:
- The Central Pool Quota is applicable to medical colleges run by the central government, such as the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC).
- These seats are reserved for candidates nominated by the Government of India, including children of Armed Forces personnel.
- Admissions under the Central Pool Quota are conducted by the respective institutions.

4. NRI Quota:
- Some private medical colleges offer a separate quota for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) candidates.
- NRI quota seats are available for candidates who hold NRI status or are sponsored by an NRI.
- These seats often have higher fees compared to regular seats.

5. Management Quota:
- Private medical colleges may reserve a certain percentage of seats under the Management Quota.
- These seats are filled through direct admission or at the discretion of the college management.
- The fees for management quota seats are generally higher than those for government quota seats.

6. Other Reserved Categories:
- In addition to the above quotas, various categories such as Persons with Disabilities (PwD), wards of ex-servicemen, and sports quota candidates may also have reserved seats in medical colleges.
- The percentage of seats reserved for these categories varies from state to state.

It's important to note that the eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and admission processes for these special categories and quotas may vary across states and institutions. Therefore, candidates are advised to carefully review the official notifications and information bulletins issued by the respective authorities for accurate and up-to-date details.