Bachelor of Optometry [B.Optom]

The Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) at CSJMU, Kanpur is a full-time, on-campus undergraduate programme offered under the School of Health Sciences. The course spans 3 years (6 semesters) followed by a mandatory 1-year internship, making it a 4-year programme in total. With an annual fee of Rs. 67,200 and 40 seats, it is one of the most affordable optometry programmes in Uttar Pradesh. Admission is merit-based, with no entrance exam required. The programme is registered with the U.P. State Medical Faculty, Lucknow, and students receive clinical exposure at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, one of the premier government medical colleges in the state. The course is popular among students who seek a career in eye care without pursuing MBBS, as it opens doors to roles in hospitals, optical chains, LASIK centres, and independent practice.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are currently open. Candidates can register and apply online at admission.csjmu.ac.in. Based on the 2025-26 session pattern, the merit list is typically declared in May-June, followed by counselling and document verification at the department. The batch usually commences in July. Students are advised to monitor the official website (csjmu.ac.in/admissions2627/) regularly for updated schedules and merit list announcements.

Key Points

• The B.Optom programme at CSJMU is registered with the U.P. State Medical Faculty, Lucknow, which is mandatory for professional practice in Uttar Pradesh.
• Students undergo clinical postings at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, providing hands-on exposure to real patient cases in ophthalmology.
• The programme includes a compulsory 1-year internship after the 3-year academic curriculum, which is essential for developing clinical competency.
• Graduates are eligible to pursue Master in Optometry (M.Optom), which is also now offered at CSJMU itself (newly introduced in 2025-26).
• The course accepts both PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) students at 10+2 level, making it accessible to a wider pool of science students.

CSJMU B.Optom Fees

Fee Structure

• An additional library fee of Rs. 200 per year is charged over and above the above fees.
• Hostel accommodation is optional and not included in the above total.
• Hostel fees for 2025-26 are as follows (per year):
• Shivaji Boys Hostel: Rs. 28,180
• Swarn Jayanti Boys Hostel: Rs. 36,370
• Ganga Girls Hostel (EWS): Rs. 20,620
• Kaveri / Triveni / Saraswati Girls Hostel (Attached room): Rs. 30,700
• Kaveri / Triveni / Saraswati Girls Hostel (Non-attached room): Rs. 28,180
• Mess (food) charges are separate and charged by the outsourced mess contractor.
• Four meals per day (breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner) are provided.
• Fees are to be paid annually at the time of admission/re-admission each year.
• No EMI facility is officially offered by the university; however, students may avail education loans through banks.
• The university provides a Hostel Student Loan Information document for students seeking loan assistance.
• Fees once paid are non-refundable as per university policy, except as mandated by UGC refund norms.

CSJMU B.Optom Admission 2026

CSJMU B.Optom Admission Schedule (2026-27)

• B.Optom admission at CSJMU is purely merit-based (no entrance exam).
• Specific dates for 2026-27 are yet to be announced.
• Students should regularly check csjmu.ac.in/admissions2627/ for updates.

Entrance Exams

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) in the Science stream from a recognised board.
• Minimum 45% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) or Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) are required. SC/ST candidates require a minimum of 40%.
• Candidates who have appeared in the qualifying examination and are awaiting results may also apply provisionally.

Admission Process

• Register online at admission.csjmu.ac.in (WRN Direct Registration portal).
• Select the B.Optom programme under School of Health Sciences.
• A unique WRN (registration number) is generated upon successful registration.
• Merit list is prepared based on 10+2 marks and published on the university website.
• Selected candidates must report to the School of Health Sciences on the notified counselling date with original documents.
• Fee payment and document verification complete the admission process.
• Admission coordinator for B.Optom: Mr. Vishwdeep Mishra (Contact: 7351772626).

CSJMU B.Optom Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

• UP Post-Matric Scholarship applications are typically accepted between July and October each year through the official UP scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in).
• SC/ST students from Uttar Pradesh are eligible for full tuition fee reimbursement under the UP government scholarship scheme, subject to income criteria.
• OBC students may receive partial fee reimbursement based on family income.
• Students must ensure their Aadhaar is linked and bank account details are updated on the scholarship portal for timely disbursement.
• Scholarship benefits are applicable only to students who are domiciled in Uttar Pradesh; students from other states are treated as general category for reservation and scholarship purposes.

According to an external review site Ranking 2025, CSJMU ranks 428 out of 630 colleges in India and 36th in state Uttar Pradesh for its B.Optom program.

Read more on CSJMU Rankings here

CSJMU B.Optom FAQs

Ques. Is NEET required for admission to B.Optom at CSJMU Kanpur?

Ans. No, NEET is not required for B.Optom admission at CSJMU. The admission is entirely merit-based, meaning your selection depends on the marks you scored in your 10+2 (Intermediate) examination in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. You simply need to register on the CSJMU admission portal, and a merit list is prepared based on your qualifying exam marks. There is no separate entrance test conducted by the university for this programme.

Ques. What is the actual total cost of doing B.Optom at CSJMU, including hostel?

Ans. The annual tuition and other fees are Rs. 67,200, which comes to Rs. 2,68,800 for the full 4-year programme (3 years academic + 1 year internship). If you opt for hostel accommodation, you will need to pay an additional Rs. 28,180 to Rs. 36,370 per year for boys' hostels, or Rs. 20,620 to Rs. 30,700 per year for girls' hostels, depending on the hostel and room type. Mess charges are separate and paid to the mess contractor. So the total cost including hostel over 4 years can range from approximately Rs. 3.8 lakh to Rs. 4.2 lakh, making it one of the most affordable optometry programmes in the region.

Ques. After completing B.Optom from CSJMU, can I practice independently as an optometrist in UP?

Ans. Yes, B.Optom graduates from CSJMU are registered with the U.P. State Medical Faculty, Lucknow, which is the regulatory body for paramedical professionals in Uttar Pradesh. This registration is essential for independent practice. After completing the 1-year internship and obtaining your degree, you can register with the UP State Medical Faculty and practice as a licensed optometrist. You can work in hospitals, optical retail chains, eye clinics, or set up your own optometry practice.

Ques. Does CSJMU offer clinical training during the B.Optom programme, and where?

Ans. Yes, clinical training is a core component of the B.Optom programme at CSJMU. Students are posted at GSVM Medical College and Hospital, Kanpur, which is one of the largest government medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. This provides students with exposure to a high volume of real patient cases in ophthalmology, including refractive error management, low vision, contact lens fitting, and ocular disease screening. The School of Health Sciences also has its own Health Centre and OPD on campus where students get additional practical exposure.

Ques. What are the career options after B.Optom from CSJMU?

Ans. After completing B.Optom from CSJMU, graduates can work in a wide range of roles. Common career paths include working as an optometrist or ophthalmic assistant in hospitals and eye clinics, as a LASIK assistant or refractive surgery technician, as a paediatric optometrist, as a sport vision consultant, or in optical retail chains as a customer care associate or optician. Graduates can also pursue M.Optom (now available at CSJMU itself) for specialisation and academic/research careers. There is also growing demand for optometrists in corporate wellness programmes and NGO-led vision care initiatives across rural India.

Ques. Can students from outside Uttar Pradesh apply for B.Optom at CSJMU, and will they get reservation benefits?

Ans. Yes, students from any state in India can apply for B.Optom at CSJMU. However, reservation benefits (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) are applicable only to candidates who are originally domiciled in Uttar Pradesh. Students from other states will be treated as general category candidates for both admission and scholarship purposes. Additionally, UP government scholarships are available only to UP domicile students. Out-of-state students can still apply for central government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (nsp.gov.in) if they meet the eligibility criteria.