MET 2026 NRI quota cutoff is expected to range from rank 100 to over 30,000 across Manipal campuses, with MIT Manipal CSE closing around rank 4,000 to 4,500 based on 2025 counselling trends.
Manipal Entrance Test (MET) 2026 NRI quota counselling is expected to begin in July 2026. The NRI quota at MAHE campuses is reserved for Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders. NRI seats constitute 15% of total intake at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) and Manipal University Bhopal (MUB). Cutoffs under the NRI quota differ from the general merit list and fees are payable in USD.
- MIT Manipal CSE NRI closing rank is expected around 4,000 to 4,500 based on 2025 data.
- NRI quota fee at MIT Manipal B.Tech is approximately USD 20,000 to 25,000 per year.
- MET 2026 NRI counselling is expected to begin in July 2026 at counseling.manipal.edu.
- Campuses covered: MIT Manipal, Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) and Manipal University Bhopal (MUB).
- NRI quota seats under MET cover B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Pharm — MBBS admissions use NEET separately.
| Direct Link to MET 2026 NRI Quota Counselling Portal (Active) — counseling.manipal.edu |
MET 2026 NRI Quota: Key Highlights
The NRI quota at MAHE is governed by the Manipal University Act. Students admitted under NRI quota pay fees in USD and cannot convert to a general merit seat after joining. Below are the key parameters for MET 2026 NRI quota counselling.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Manipal Entrance Test (MET) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) |
| NRI Quota Percentage | 15% of total sanctioned intake |
| Eligible Students | NRI, PIO, OCI card holders and their wards |
| Programmes Covered | B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Pharm (not MBBS) |
| Campuses | MIT Manipal, Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ), Manipal University Bhopal (MUB) |
| Annual Fee (MIT Manipal B.Tech) | Approx. USD 20,000 to 25,000 per year |
| Counselling Portal | counseling.manipal.edu |
| Cutoff Status (2026) | Expected — based on 2025 trends |
Expected NRI Cutoff 2026 — MIT Manipal B.Tech
MIT Manipal is the flagship campus under MAHE and records the most competitive NRI cutoffs. Based on 2025 NRI counselling data, CSE at MIT Manipal is expected to close around MET rank 4,000 to 4,500 under NRI quota. The table below shows expected opening and closing ranks for all major B.Tech branches.
| Branch (MIT Manipal) | Expected Opening Rank — NRI | Expected Closing Rank — NRI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) | 100 | 4,000 – 4,500 |
| CSE (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) | 200 | 4,800 – 5,200 |
| Information Technology (IT) | 500 | 5,200 – 5,800 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) | 800 | 6,200 – 6,800 |
| Aeronautical Engineering | 1,500 | 6,800 – 7,200 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) | 2,000 | 8,500 – 9,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 3,000 | 10,500 – 11,500 |
| Civil Engineering | 5,000 | 15,000 – 17,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | 7,000 | 19,000 – 21,000 |
All ranks are expected figures based on MET 2025 NRI counselling trends. Actual cutoffs will be published at counseling.manipal.edu after each allotment round.
Expected NRI Cutoff 2026 — Manipal University Jaipur and Manipal University Bhopal
Students who do not secure a seat at MIT Manipal can consider NRI quota seats at Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) and Manipal University Bhopal (MUB). These campuses have higher closing ranks, making NRI seats accessible to students with MET ranks beyond 10,000. Both campuses follow the same NRI quota eligibility norms as MIT Manipal.
| Campus | Branch | Expected Opening Rank — NRI | Expected Closing Rank — NRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) | CSE | 5,000 | 17,000 – 19,000 |
| Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 8,000 | 21,000 – 23,000 |
| Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) | Mechanical Engineering | 12,000 | 28,000 – 32,000 |
| Manipal University Bhopal (MUB) | CSE | 7,000 | 19,000 – 21,000 |
| Manipal University Bhopal (MUB) | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 10,000 | 23,000 – 25,000 |
| Manipal University Bhopal (MUB) | Mechanical Engineering | 15,000 | 30,000 – 35,000 |
Ranks above are expected based on 2025 NRI counselling trends for MUJ and MUB. Actual cutoffs depend on total NRI applicants and vacancies in each round.
Factors Affecting MET 2026 NRI Quota Cutoff
Several factors decide where the NRI closing rank lands each year. Understanding them helps you predict whether 2026 cutoffs will be tighter or more relaxed than 2025.
- Total NRI applicants: More NRI students registering for MET 2026 increases competition for the 15% NRI pool and tightens closing ranks.
- Number of NRI quota seats: Seats depend on total intake approved by the university. Any increase in intake can push closing ranks higher.
- Branch popularity: Demand for CSE and AI/ML branches grows every year. Closing ranks for these branches are expected to tighten by 200 to 400 ranks compared to 2025.
- MET 2026 difficulty level: A tougher exam leads to a compressed rank distribution. Small score differences result in large rank jumps making cutoff prediction harder.
- Campus preference: Most NRI students prefer MIT Manipal over MUJ and MUB, keeping MIT Manipal closing ranks consistently tighter while MUJ and MUB seats remain relatively accessible.
- Multiple counselling rounds: Seats remaining after Round 1 are offered in Round 2 at relaxed cutoffs. Students with higher ranks who missed Round 1 may still secure a seat in Round 2.
MET NRI Quota Fee Structure
NRI quota fees at Manipal campuses are charged in US dollars and are significantly higher than general category fees. Below is the expected fee structure for 2026 based on 2025 rates.
| Campus | Programme | Expected Annual Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| MIT Manipal | B.Tech (all branches) | USD 20,000 – 25,000 |
| MIT Manipal | B.Arch | USD 18,000 – 22,000 |
| MIT Manipal | B.Pharm | USD 12,000 – 15,000 |
| Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) | B.Tech (all branches) | USD 10,000 – 14,000 |
| Manipal University Bhopal (MUB) | B.Tech (all branches) | USD 8,000 – 12,000 |
Fee figures above are expected based on 2025 rates. Confirm the exact fee for your branch and campus on the official counselling portal before making any payment.
MET NRI Quota Counselling Process
Admission under the NRI quota at Manipal campuses follows a structured counselling process. You must register on the official portal and upload documents to prove your NRI, PIO or OCI status.
- Step 1 — Register: Go to counseling.manipal.edu and create an account using your MET 2026 roll number.
- Step 2 — Upload documents: Submit proof of NRI status (passport, visa, OCI or PIO card), academic certificates and MET scorecard.
- Step 3 — Fill choices: Choose your preferred campus, programme and branch in order of priority.
- Step 4 — Seat allotment: The system allots seats based on your MET rank within the NRI pool. Results are published on the portal.
- Step 5 — Pay fees: If allotted a seat, pay the first-year fee in USD through the portal within the deadline. Missing the deadline cancels your allotment.
- Step 6 — Report to campus: Carry original documents and complete physical reporting at your allotted campus before the academic year begins.
MET 2026 NRI Quota Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected MET 2026 NRI quota closing rank for CSE at MIT Manipal?
Ans. Based on 2025 NRI counselling trends, the closing rank for CSE at MIT Manipal under NRI quota is expected around 4,000 to 4,500. The official closing rank will be visible on counseling.manipal.edu after each allotment round.
Ques. Who is eligible for MET 2026 NRI quota seats at Manipal?
Ans. NRI quota seats are open to Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders and their wards. A valid NRI, OCI or PIO document is required at the time of counselling registration.
Ques. Is MBBS included in MET NRI quota?
Ans. No. MBBS admissions at Manipal are based on NEET scores and follow a separate process. The MET NRI quota covers only B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Pharm programmes at MIT Manipal, MUJ and MUB.
Ques. What is the annual fee for NRI quota B.Tech seats at MIT Manipal?
Ans. The expected annual fee for B.Tech under NRI quota at MIT Manipal is USD 20,000 to 25,000. The exact amount for 2026 will be confirmed on the official counselling portal at the time of seat allotment.
Ques. Can I get a seat at MUJ or MUB under NRI quota with a rank above 15,000?
Ans. Yes. Based on 2025 trends, MUJ CSE NRI seats are expected to close around rank 17,000 to 19,000 and MUB CSE around 19,000 to 21,000. Students with ranks in this range may secure seats at these campuses subject to availability.
Ques. Can I convert my NRI quota seat to a general merit seat after admission?
Ans. No. Once you join under the NRI quota at any Manipal campus you cannot convert to a general merit seat. You remain bound by NRI quota fee norms for the entire duration of the programme.
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