Engineering Admission for NRI/OCI/Foreign Students

Engineering in India attracts a large number of international students, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and other foreign nationals. With several institutions ranked among the top engineering colleges in India, many students from abroad seek admission into both undergraduate and postgraduate engineering programs offered by premier institutes like the IITs, NITs, IIITs, and top private universities.

NRI, OCI, and foreign students can apply to Indian engineering colleges through different admission routes. The two most common channels are the Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship program.

DASA is a popular scheme specifically for NRIs, OCIs, and foreign nationals. It is coordinated by one of the NITs on a rotational basis. Under DASA, candidates are offered seats in top government engineering colleges in India, including NITs, IIITs, and some centrally funded technical institutions (CFTIs). Admission is based on SAT Subject Test (SAT II) scores in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. As of recent updates, JEE Main scores may also be considered, depending on DASA regulations.

Apart from DASA, foreign students may also apply directly to some Top Private Engineering Colleges in India, like BITS Pilani, VIT Vellore, and SRM Institute, which have their own international admission processes. Some universities require a valid SAT or a school-leaving certificate equivalent to Indian 10+2 education.

For undergraduate courses, candidates must have completed 12 years of schooling (or equivalent) and must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. A minimum aggregate of 60% or equivalent GPA is generally required. English proficiency may also be evaluated through tests like TOEFL or IELTS for certain universities.

For postgraduate programs like M.Tech or MS, students must have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Some institutes may conduct interviews or require GATE or GRE scores.

A separate quota is maintained under the DASA scheme and ICCR for NRI/OCI/foreign students. These seats are supernumerary and do not affect the regular admission pool for Indian students. The seat allocation is centralized, and students can choose from several disciplines like Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical, Civil, and more across different institutes.

Tuition fees for foreign and NRI students are typically higher than for domestic students. Under DASA, annual tuition can range between USD 8,000 to USD 10,000, depending on the institution. Top private engineering colleges in India may also have comparable or slightly lower fee structures. In addition, candidates have to bear hostel, mess, and other institutional charges separately.

Some of the top engineering colleges accepting foreign students include:

These institutes are recognized globally and regularly feature in top engineering college rankings, including the NIRF ranking.

Engineering admission for NRI, OCI, and foreign students is streamlined through initiatives like DASA and ICCR, offering access to some of the Top Government Engineering Colleges in India and globally known top engineering colleges. With quality education, excellent infrastructure, and strong placement support, India continues to be a preferred destination for international engineering aspirants.