Master of Chirurgiae [M.Ch]
Accepted entrance exams
Fees
Fees at Armed Forces Medical College for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program involve a one-time payment between Rs. 81,000 and Rs. 96,000, covering the duration of 4.5 years. An admission fee of Rs. 2,750 and a refundable security deposit of Rs. 15,000 are required. Additional charges include a barrack damage fee of Rs. 350 biannually, cinema subscription fee of Rs. 450, computer club charges of Rs.
800, and common activities maintenance fee of Rs. 1,000. Other costs include swimming pool charges of Rs. 300, identity card fee of Rs. 600, college record documentation fee of Rs. 1,100, and a student handbook costing Rs. 600. A college fee and deposit sum of Rs. 25,000 is paid at admission. There are no annual tuition or hostel fees; however, a monthly mess fee of approximately Rs. 2,000 covers expenses such as laundry and personal grooming services.
Cadets receive a monthly allowance and during internships are commissioned as officers, with corresponding salaries.
About Master of Chirurgiae [M.Ch]
Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, one of India’s premier defence medical institutions, offers the Master of Chirurgiae (M.Ch) in three super-specialty surgical streams: Cardio-Vascular Thoracic Surgery (CVTS), Neuro Surgery, and Plastic Surgery. All three are 3-year full-time programmes. Total fees range from ₹7,50,000 to ₹9,00,000 for the 3-year course, and admission is through NEET-SS. AFMC is affiliated to the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences and maintains world-class surgical training infrastructure.
For 2026 admission, the NEET-SS notification was released in December 2025, with the exam held in March 2026. AFMC M.Ch counselling and allotment is scheduled for June 2026.
Key Points
- Three M.Ch super-specialties: CVTS, Neuro Surgery, and Plastic Surgery at a nationally recognised defence medical college.
- Total fees of ₹7,50,000 to ₹9,00,000 for the 3-year programme depending on the specialisation.
- Admission through NEET-SS with a dedicated AFMC M.Ch counselling round.
- Merit Scholarship of up to ₹25,000 per year available for outstanding performers.
- Access to AFMC’s 1,400-bed tertiary hospital with advanced surgical theatres and diverse case complexity.
AFMC M.Ch Fees 2026
AFMC charges an annual tuition fee in the range of ₹2,50,000 to ₹3,00,000 per year for M.Ch programmes, bringing the 3-year total to ₹7,50,000 to ₹9,00,000. The fee is uniform across all three M.Ch specialisations.
Fee Structure
| Course Name | Total Fees (3 Years) |
|---|---|
| M.Ch (CVTS), M.Ch (Neuro Surgery), M.Ch (Plastic Surgery) | ₹7,50,000 to ₹9,00,000 |
- Fees is subject to change, Please verify with the official sources before taking admission.
AFMC M.Ch Admission 2026
AFMC M.Ch admissions are conducted through NEET-SS. Candidates with an MS or DNB in a relevant surgical specialty must secure a qualifying NEET-SS rank and participate in the AFMC counselling round scheduled for June 2026. Seats are subject to AFMC’s internal admission policy for defence and civilian quota.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NEET-SS Notification | December 2025 |
| NEET-SS Exam | March 2026 |
| NEET-SS Result | April 2026 |
| AFMC M.Ch Counselling | June 2026 |
| Admission and Reporting | June/July 2026 |
- Dates are based on the current NEET-SS cycle and are subject to NBE and AFMC announcements.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- MBBS with a postgraduate MS or DNB degree in a surgical specialty recognised by NMC.
- Valid NEET-SS scorecard in the relevant super-specialty for the applied M.Ch stream.
- Candidates must meet AFMC-specific eligibility conditions for defence and civilian quota seats.
Admission Process
- Register and appear for NEET-SS conducted by the National Board of Examinations.
- Participate in the AFMC M.Ch counselling round using your NEET-SS score and rank.
- Submit required documents including mark sheets, NEET-SS scorecard, and identity proof.
- Complete medical fitness assessment and report on the allotted joining date.
AFMC M.Ch Scholarships 2026
AFMC offers a Merit Scholarship to outstanding M.Ch students, in addition to government scholarship schemes available to eligible candidates based on category and financial need.
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merit Scholarship | Up to ₹25,000/year | Outstanding NEET-SS rank and academic performance | As notified |
| NSP Central Sector Scholarship | As per government norms | As per National Scholarship Portal criteria | As announced |
| SC/ST/OBC Government Scholarship | As per scheme norms | Candidates from reserved categories | As announced |
- Verify current scholarship amounts and eligibility at the National Scholarship Portal and AFMC official website.
AFMC M.Ch FAQs
Ques. What is the difference between M.Ch seats at AFMC for defence and civilian candidates?
Ans. AFMC has dedicated quota seats for Armed Forces personnel and their families alongside civilian seats. Defence quota candidates typically follow a separate AFMC internal selection process. Civilian candidates compete through NEET-SS rank in the standard counselling round. Check AFMC’s official admission notification for the exact seat breakdown for each M.Ch specialisation.
Ques. Is an MS in General Surgery sufficient to apply for all three M.Ch streams at AFMC?
Ans. Eligibility varies by stream. MS General Surgery is typically a feeder for M.Ch CVTS and some other specialties. For M.Ch Neuro Surgery, an MS in General Surgery or relevant specialty is needed. For M.Ch Plastic Surgery, MS General Surgery is the standard feeder. Always refer to the latest NEET-SS eligibility schedule published by NBE for confirmed feeder specialty requirements.
Ques. What makes AFMC Pune a preferred choice for M.Ch over other government colleges?
Ans. AFMC offers access to a 1,400-bed advanced tertiary hospital, high-complexity surgical cases including trauma and defence-related specialties, and a structured training environment that combines clinical work with research and academic activity. The institute’s national reputation and the rigour of its surgical training are key draws for candidates aspiring to top-tier super-specialty careers.
Ques. Can civilian doctors practise outside defence services after completing M.Ch from AFMC?
Ans. Yes. Civilian candidates who complete M.Ch from AFMC receive an NMC-recognised degree and are free to practice in the civilian healthcare sector, pursue academic positions, or join private hospitals. There is no mandatory defence service bond for civilian M.Ch students, unlike the MBBS programme where a service obligation applies.
Ques. How competitive is the NEET-SS cutoff for M.Ch seats at AFMC Pune?
Ans. AFMC M.Ch seats are in high demand due to the institute’s reputation and infrastructure. Cutoffs depend on the number of seats in each specialisation and the overall NEET-SS applicant pool in that year. Candidates are advised to check previous years’ counselling data from NBE to gauge a realistic rank range needed for seat allotment at AFMC.