'OCI students eligible for counselling'

The state government on Tuesday informed the High Court of Karnataka that Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) have already been included under the definition of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Non-Resident Indians (NRI).

Additional Advocate General A S Ponnanna submitted to the court that through an amendment in April 2017 to the Karnataka Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Determination of Fee) Act, 2006, OCIs have been brought under the definition of NRIs.

The court was hearing pleas filed by OCI students who have challenged Rule 5 of the Karnataka Selection of Candidates for Admission to Government Seats in Professional Educational Institutions Rules, 2006.  The rule restrains OCIs from applying for government seats.

Ponnanna informed the court that counselling for OCI students can be conducted as the Act has been amended. He said the government will hold a meeting with private medical colleges with regard to the concessional agreement for seat allotment for undergraduate medical courses. A division bench issued notice and adjourned the next hearing to July 3.