The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been actively investigating a widespread racket involving irregularities in Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota admissions within private medical colleges across several states in India. These investigations, ongoing since late 2024, have revealed a disturbing trend of fraudulent documentation, substantial financial transactions, and collusion between college management and agents.

The ED's scrutiny intensified in early March 2025 with searches conducted at multiple private medical colleges in Odisha, following similar actions in West Bengal a few months prior. These searches targeted colleges and residences of key office-bearers, focusing on alleged manipulation of the NRI quota admission process. The probe aims to uncover instances where substantial cash payments were accepted in exchange for admissions secured through forged documents.

The central issue revolves around the exploitation of the NRI quota, which reserves 5% to 15% of seats in private medical colleges for NRIs, Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs). Admission requires candidates to clear the NEET-UG exam and verify their NRI status. However, investigations have revealed that many students, not actually qualifying as NRIs, have gained admission through the submission of fake certificates.

According to the ED, some private medical colleges collaborated with agents to fabricate NRI certificates, including fake embassy documents and family trees. In some instances, the same set of NRI sponsor documents was reused for multiple unrelated candidates. Colleges allegedly funded these agents to create forged papers, misrepresenting non-related NRIs as legitimate sponsors to falsely comply with Supreme Court requirements.

The ED's investigation has revealed that state authorities allegedly failed to act despite warnings from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) about these forgeries. The agency further revealed that large commissions were paid in connection with this scam, pointing to a well-organized network of agents, college officials, and possibly other facilitators.

As of July 2025, the ED had seized ₹18 crore tied to fake NRI admissions. During the probe, the ED confiscated various incriminating records and provisionally attached a fixed deposit of ₹6.42 crore belonging to a private college in West Bengal. Previously, assets worth ₹12.33 crore connected to colleges and individuals were also seized as part of this case.

The ED's investigation is ongoing, with further seizures and legal actions expected as the agency continues to follow the money trail and identify all parties involved. The agency is also examining suspicious bank transactions and working to identify influential family connections of students who allegedly secured NRI quota seats despite not meeting the eligibility criteria.