ED Busts ₹18 Crore Fake NRI Quota Scam in Private Medical Colleges: Forgery, Fraud & Fallout

In a major crackdown on corruption in higher education, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has exposed a massive forgery and money laundering racket involving fake NRI quota admissions in private medical colleges across India. The investigation led to the seizure of assets worth ₹18 crore, exposing deep-rooted malpractices in the admissions process for MBBS seats under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota.

What Happened?

According to official sources, several private medical colleges were found to have:

• Admitted students under fake NRI documents

• Forged bank certificates and residency proofs

• Collected exorbitant capitation fees under the guise of legitimate NRI quota seats

The ED confirmed that this scam involved a well-organized nexus of agents, college managements, and middlemen, exploiting the system for profit.

Assets Worth ₹18 Crore Seized

The ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth over ₹18 crore belonging to:

• College officials

• Admission agents

• Shell entities used for laundering money

Properties include luxury apartments, high-value cars, and benami accounts used to conceal transactions.

How the Fake NRI Quota Scam Worked

1. Falsified Documents

Fake NRI documents (residency proof, passports, bank accounts) were created to project Indian students as NRI candidates.

2. Admission via Capitation Fee

These students were then admitted under the NRI quota, bypassing merit-based NEET counselling, often by paying huge amounts in cash.

3. Money Laundering

The collected money was funneled through shell companies, then parked in real estate or offshore accounts to mask the trail.

What Is the NRI Quota in Medical Colleges?

The NRI quota is a provision in private and deemed universities that allows Non-Resident Indian candidates to apply for a limited number of MBBS/BDS seats at higher fees.

• Typically 15% of total seats

• Requires legitimate NRI documentation

• Fees range from ₹25–50 lakh per year

This scam abused the system by giving access to undeserving candidates with forged profiles.

Implications for Students and Parents

• Deserving NEET candidates may have lost seats due to fake admissions

• Students involved in such scams may face debarment and legal action

• Parents should verify all documentation and only go through official admission channels

ED's Official Statement

The Enforcement Directorate stated that this operation is part of a larger crackdown on education-related financial fraud and that more colleges across states may soon come under scrutiny.

They urged students, parents, and whistleblowers to report suspicious practices during admissions.

What Should Be Done to Prevent Such Scams?

1. Stricter verification of NRI documents during counselling

2. Digital audits of private college admissions

3. Capitation fee tracking using payment gateway records

4. Transparent counselling via centralized NEET portals

5. Swift legal action against institutions found guilty

Final Thoughts

This ₹18 crore fake NRI quota scam is not just about money — it’s about denied opportunities, eroded meritocracy, and the credibility of India’s medical education system. As enforcement agencies uncover more layers, it’s clear that regulatory reforms and strict oversight are the need of the hour.

Education should be a right, not a racket.