Bachelor of Optometry [B.Optom]
at Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research - [JIPMER]
Fees
Fees at Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) for the Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Nursing program include diverse components. The tuition fee is set at Rs. 11,410 for the first year, reducing to around Rs. 5,760 for subsequent years. Hostel fees are approximately Rs. 20,000 annually in the first year and decrease to approximately Rs. 12,000 in later years. Additional charges include exam fees averaging Rs.
500 per paper, and a refundable caution deposit is included in initial payments. Mess fees are separate, estimated at around Rs. 3,000 monthly. JIPMER offers several scholarship opportunities including the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and e-Grantz, facilitating financial aid based on eligibility. Furthermore, a stipend is available starting from the 2023 batch for internships. The overall course cost is comparatively low, reflecting JIPMER's status as a central government-funded institution.
About Bachelor of Optometry [B.Optom]
JIPMER Puducherry offers a 4-year Bachelor of Optometry with 5 seats, training students in refraction, contact lens fitting, low vision rehabilitation, binocular vision therapy, and clinical optometry. Admission is through NEET-UG scores via JIPMER’s internal counselling. Total academic fees for the full course are INR 23,040. JIPMER holds NIRF Medical Rank 4 in 2025, and its Ophthalmology department is among India’s busiest tertiary eye care units, providing exceptional clinical exposure.
📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open August 2026 (Tentative).
Key Points
- JIPMER Ophthalmology is a premier tertiary referral unit handling complex corneal and retinal cases
- Training covers cornea, retina, glaucoma, low vision, and contact lens in a single institution
- Only 5 seats ensures personalised clinical mentoring from senior ophthalmologists and optometrists
JIPMER B.Optom Fees 2026
| Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (full course, 4 years) | INR 4,800 |
| Joint Students Association (full course) | INR 4,000 |
| Learning Resource Fee (full course) | INR 8,000 |
| Corpus Fund (full course) | INR 240 |
| Students Insurance Scheme (full course) | INR 6,000 |
| Total Academic Fees (4 years) | INR 23,040 |
- Hostel and mess charges are payable separately and not included in the total above.
- Caution deposit of INR 3,000 and one-time admission fee of INR 2,500 may apply additionally.
- Fee structure is as per the JIPMER BSc AHS prospectus and subject to revision annually.
JIPMER B.Optom Admission 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NEET UG Registration Opens | Feb 8, 2026 |
| NEET UG Registration Closes | Mar 8, 2026 |
| NEET UG Re-Exam | Jun 21, 2026 |
| NEET UG Answer Key Release | Jul 6, 2026 |
| NEET UG Result Declaration | Jul 20, 2026 (Tentative) |
| JIPMER BSc Online Registration Opens | Aug 2026 (Tentative) |
| JIPMER BSc Registration Closing | Sep 2026 (Tentative) |
| JIPMER BSc Counselling and Seat Allotment | Oct 2026 (Tentative) |
| Class Commencement | Oct 2026 (Tentative) |
- B.Optom admission is through NEET-UG only with no separate JIPMER entrance exam.
- Registration and counselling dates are based on the 2025 to 2026 JIPMER AHS admission cycle.
- Monitor jipmer.edu.in for the official 2026 B.Optom prospectus and admission notification.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Botany and Zoology as compulsory subjects
- Minimum 50% aggregate in PCB for General/EWS category, 45% for OPH General, and 40% for SC/ST/OBC
- Minimum age of 17 years as of December 31 of the admission year
- Must be an Indian National or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
Admission Process
- Qualify NEET UG 2026 and await the result from NTA
- Watch for the official JIPMER B.Optom notification on jipmer.edu.in after NEET results
- Register online through JIPMER’s BSc admission portal and select Optometry as the preferred specialisation
- JIPMER prepares an eligible candidate list based on NEET UG score and category
- Attend JIPMER counselling and receive seat allotment based on NEET rank and choice
- Complete document verification and fee payment to confirm the Optometry seat
✓ Opt for this if
- Targeting clinical optometry training at a national-level government eye care institution
- Have a strong NEET-UG score and want a subsidised government paramedical seat
- Interested in corneal, retinal, and low vision work in a high-volume clinical setting
- Comfortable with Puducherry campus and a small-batch intensive training environment
✗ Skip if
- NEET-UG score is unlikely to place among the top eligible candidates for 5 seats
- Prefer a different AHS specialisation such as MLS or Neuro Technology
- Seeking a programme with dedicated optical industry placement support and city access
- Want a larger cohort with more peer interaction during clinical optometry rotations
JIPMER B.Optom Scholarships 2026
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility / Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Central Sector Scheme for SC Students (NSP) | As per GOI notification | SC students in central government institutions. Apply via scholarships.gov.in |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students (NSP) | As per GOI notification | OBC-NCL students with family income within GOI limits. Apply via NSP annually |
| PM Scholarship Scheme for Ex-Servicemen Children | INR 2,000 to INR 3,000 per month | Children of ex-servicemen or ex-Coast Guard personnel. Apply via DESW portal |
| JIPMER Internship Stipend | INR 4,950 to INR 13,000 per month | Final-year B.Optom students during clinical internship at JIPMER eye care departments |
- JIPMER does not operate its own scholarship fund.
- Apply via the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in for central schemes.
- Internship stipend rates are as per JIPMER administrative orders and subject to revision.
According to an external review site Ranking 2025, JIPMER ranks 8 out of 632 colleges in India and 1st in state Puducherry for its B.Optom program.
- 2 out of 20 under India Today Medical Ranking 2025.
- 4 out of 44 under The Week Medical Ranking 2025.
- 4 out of 50 under NIRF Medical Ranking 2025.
- 3 out of 13 under Outlook Medical Ranking 2024.
- 5 out of 70 under IIRF Medical Ranking 2025.
Read more on JIPMER Rankings here
JIPMER B.Optom FAQs
Ques. What is the duration of B.Optom at JIPMER?
Ans. The Bachelor of Optometry programme at JIPMER is 4 years in total, comprising 3.5 years of academic and clinical training followed by a 6-month mandatory internship. Training covers refraction, binocular vision assessment, contact lens practice, low vision rehabilitation, and clinical optometry procedures. The internship is completed within JIPMER’s Ophthalmology department. The degree is awarded by JIPMER upon completion of all university examinations and the internship.
Ques. Is B.Optom admission through NEET-UG or a separate JIPMER exam?
Ans. B.Optom admission at JIPMER is entirely based on NEET-UG scores. JIPMER does not conduct a separate entrance examination for its paramedical or allied health programmes. After the NEET-UG result is announced, JIPMER releases a B.Optom notification and opens registration on its official portal. Seat allotment is done through JIPMER’s internal counselling based on NEET rank, category, and choice of specialisation.
Ques. What is the total fee for B.Optom at JIPMER?
Ans. The total academic fee for B.Optom at JIPMER is INR 23,040 for the full 4-year course. This covers tuition (INR 4,800), student association (INR 4,000), learning resources (INR 8,000), corpus fund (INR 240), and students insurance (INR 6,000). Hostel and mess charges are separate. As a central government institution, this fee is substantially lower than private colleges and optical institutes offering equivalent optometry degree programmes.
Ques. What career options exist after B.Optom from JIPMER?
Ans. B.Optom graduates from JIPMER can work as clinical optometrists in hospitals, super-speciality eye care centres, and optical retail chains. Other roles include low vision rehabilitation specialist, contact lens practitioner, and vision therapist. Graduates may also pursue M.Optom or M.Sc Visual Sciences for academic or advanced clinical careers. JIPMER credentials carry strong credibility in competitive recruitment for government hospital optometrist posts across India.
Ques. How competitive is B.Optom at JIPMER?
Ans. B.Optom at JIPMER is highly competitive given only 5 seats are available and the programme draws from the same NEET-UG pool as all other JIPMER paramedical courses. JIPMER’s NIRF Medical Rank 4 standing in 2025 means all its allied health programmes attract top NEET scorers. Candidates must secure a high enough NEET rank within their category to receive a seat in Optometry specifically, as the 5-seat cap leaves very little room for borderline scores.