Exam questions answered · NEET

Can students from other states get MBBS in Tamil Nadu?

By the PrepMatic team · Updated 9 Oct 2026 · 2 min read

Mostly through the All India Quota. The Government Quota in Tamil Nadu is meant for Tamil Nadu natives with a TN Nativity Certificate. Students from other states can compete for the 15% All India Quota seats in Tamil Nadu's government colleges through MCC, and a narrow group of other-state natives who studied in Tamil Nadu can be considered under the Open Category.

The state quota: nativity is the test

Under the 2026-27 prospectus, an applicant for the Government Quota must be a native of Tamil Nadu and hold a TN Nativity Certificate. Two points catch people out:

• A permanent residence certificate is not accepted instead of a Nativity Certificate.
• A candidate who sat NEET 2026 as a native of another state cannot apply as a Tamil Nadu native.

The nativity clause is also stated to be subject to the outcome of writ petitions pending in the Madras High Court, so check the current prospectus for any change.

Tamil Nadu natives who studied elsewhere

Natives of Tamil Nadu who studied from Class VI to XII outside Tamil Nadu may apply, with a nativity certificate, a community certificate and an undertaking.

Natives of other states

The prospectus treats two groups differently:

• Natives of other states who studied Class VI to XII continuously in Tamil Nadu are considered under the Open Category (clause 8(j)).
• Natives of other states who studied Class VI to XII outside Tamil Nadu, wholly or partly, are barred from the Government Quota (clause 11(a)).

Community certificates issued by other states, for the candidate or a parent, are not accepted for Tamil Nadu reservation.

The route open to everyone: the All India Quota

Fifteen per cent of seats in Tamil Nadu's government medical colleges, 753 MBBS seats in 2026-27, are filled through MCC counselling, which is not limited by state of residence. See what the All India Quota is.

Other routes

OCI and PIO candidates can apply to the state quota in the open category only (NRI and OCI students). Private and self-financing college seats have their own Government, Management and NRI quota conditions in the prospectus.

For how the Tamil Nadu process works end to end, read Tamil Nadu NEET counselling.

Official source

The nativity, residence and study-location clauses are in the Tamil Nadu 2026-27 MBBS/BDS prospectus on tnmedicalselection.net. Read the exact clauses before you apply, because they are subject to court outcomes.

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