Chandigarh, 11 February 2025: Despite a 2024 Supreme Court ruling against broadening the non-resident Indian (NRI) quota in Punjab, Panjab University (PU) has introduced a similar provision for the 2025-26 academic session. The university will reserve 10% of seats beyond the sanctioned intake for NRI wards.
The Supreme Court had dismissed petitions challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that struck down the Punjab government’s attempt to expand NRI quota eligibility.
A bench led by then Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud had criticized the move, calling it a “fraud” that displaced meritorious candidates. The court objected to a broad interpretation of NRI eligibility, which had allowed even distant relatives to qualify, labeling it a “money-spinning tactic” that compromised academic integrity.
PU’s NRI reservation mirrors the system struck down in medical colleges, allocating 10% supernumerary seats for NRIs and their wards. Under university guidelines, candidates must meet the NRI status criteria under the Income Tax Act for the admission year.
However, the definition of “wards” extends beyond immediate family to include spouses, children, paternal and maternal aunts and uncles, grandparents, and first-degree cousins. NRIs will be given first preference over their wards in admissions.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, PU sought legal counsel in September 2024. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig stated that the university proceeded with its admission policy after determining that the court’s order applied only to Punjab’s medical colleges, not PU.
Meanwhile, the University Grants Commission (UGC) does not recognize NRI wards under its admission policies. PU, however, reserves 25% supernumerary seats in each undergraduate and postgraduate course for foreign nationals, which includes anyone holding a foreign passport. To attract more international students, the university offers fee concessions to candidates from underdeveloped nations.
Additionally, students from non-English-speaking countries are exempt from IELTS or TOEFL requirements if they have studied in an English-medium institution.
NRI admissions serve as a revenue source for PU. In 2024-25, first-year tuition at the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) was approximately ₹1.21 lakh for Indian students, while NRI students were charged over ₹5 lakh.
However, the university’s international student intake remains low, affecting its rankings. Dean of International Students Kewal Krishan stated that PU plans to leverage social media for outreach, adopting marketing strategies used by private universities in the region. Admissions for the upcoming session will begin in July.
In 2024-25, PU enrolled 24 foreign national students and 59 students under the NRI and NRI ward category.
