In a recent development, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) will no longer be considered foreign national candidates for the purpose of admissions to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). As per a press statement issued by IIT Guwahati, the organizing chairperson of JEE (Advanced) 2023, they will be included in the common merit list for the general category seats during the process of seat allocations. This comes after a judgment by the Supreme Court in February 2023, in a case related to OCI/PIO candidates.

Earlier, OCI/PIO candidates were considered foreign nationals and were required to take the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main to qualify for JEE (Advanced). However, now they will be eligible to appear directly for JEE (Advanced) 2023 without appearing in JEE (Main) 2023. This measure shall be applicable only for the year 2023.

During the seat allocation process for IITs, the eligible OCI/PIO candidates who qualify in JEE (Advanced) 2023 shall be eligible to compete for the Open category seats in the General (GEN) and GEN-Person with Disability (PwD) categories as applicable. Eligible Female OCI/PIO candidates who qualify in JEE (Advanced) 2023 shall also be entitled to be considered for the Open Female Supernumerary seats in GEN and GEN-PwD categories as applicable. Their registration fee for JEE-Advanced will be on par with the fee-structure of Indian nationals.

Earlier, 10 per cent supernumerary seats were declared for foreign nationals. However, after the reclassification of OCI/PIO candidates as general category candidates, they will no longer be admitted on the 10 percent supernumerary seats for foreign nationals. They will compete with the common merit list of open category.

The eligibility conditions for the OCI/PIO candidates shall remain the same as earlier announced. However, it is not clear if JEE (Main) will be mandatory for OCI/PIO candidates from next year to qualify for JEE (Advanced). That is a decision for Joint Admission Board (JAB) to take for next year.

It is important to note that all OCI/PIO candidates will be an addition to, and not as a part of, the 2.5 lakh Indian national candidates who qualify for appearing in JEE (Advanced) 2023 after JEE (Main). This means that they will not be competing with the Indian national candidates for the available seats.

The reclassification of OCI/PIO candidates as general category candidates and their inclusion in the common merit list for the general category seats during the process of seat allocations is a welcome move that will provide them with an equal opportunity to compete for seats in the IITs. It remains to be seen if JEE (Main) will be mandatory for OCI/PIO candidates from next year onwards to qualify for JEE (Advanced).