About Master of Surgery [MS] (Ophthalmology)
The Master of Surgery [MS] in Ophthalmology is a 3-year postgraduate surgical program offered at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College [JLN], Ajmer, one of Rajasthan's leading government medical institutions established in 1965. The course provides comprehensive training in the diagnosis and surgical management of eye diseases, including cataract surgery, glaucoma, retinal disorders, corneal transplantation, and oculoplasty. Admission is based on NEET PG scores, and the program is affiliated with the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences [RUHS]. The annual tuition fee for MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer is Rs. 6,050 per year (total Rs. 18,150 for 3 years), making it one of the most affordable ophthalmology PG programs in India. Students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 77,500 during the course. The program is highly sought after due to the college's strong surgical exposure through Victoria Hospital, which serves a large patient base from Ajmer and surrounding districts.
As of March 2026, the NEET PG 2025 counselling cycle has been completed. The NEET PG 2025 exam was held on August 3, 2025, and the MCC NEET PG 2025 counselling concluded with Round 3 results declared on February 5, 2026, and reporting till February 13, 2026. Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are now closed. The next admission cycle (NEET PG 2026) is expected to begin with the exam tentatively scheduled for June 15, 2026, with counselling expected to follow in August-September 2026.
Key Points
- MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer is a government-funded program with an annual tuition fee of just Rs. 6,050, making it extremely affordable.
- Students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 77,500 throughout the 3-year program.
- The Department of Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer is equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical equipment, including phacoemulsification machines, laser systems, and vitreoretinal surgery setups.
- Victoria Hospital, the attached teaching hospital, provides high surgical caseload essential for comprehensive ophthalmology training.
- Graduates are required to serve a 2-year rural/compulsory service bond; failure to comply attracts a penalty of Rs. 1,00,00,000 (Rs. 1 crore).
- The program is approved by the National Medical Commission [NMC] and affiliated with RUHS.
JLN MS Ophthalmology Fees
MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer is offered under the government quota with extremely low tuition fees. The annual tuition fee is Rs. 6,050, and the total fee for the 3-year program is Rs. 18,150. In addition, students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 77,500, which more than covers living expenses. Hostel accommodation is available on campus (subject to availability) at an additional cost.
Fee Components
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | Rs. 6,050 |
| Tuition Fee (3 years total) | Rs. 18,150 |
| Admission Fee (one-time) | Rs. 5,491 |
| Caution Money (one-time, refundable) | Rs. 2,928 |
| Miscellaneous Fee (per year) | Rs. 3,661 |
| Miscellaneous Fee (3 years total) | Rs. 10,983 |
| Total Fees (3 years) | Rs. 37,552 |
Note: The total fees figure of Rs. 41,365 cited on some platforms includes all components. Candidates should verify the exact fee structure from the official RUHS/MCC notification at the time of admission.
Hostel Fees
| Room Type | Annual Hostel Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| Triple Seated Room | Rs. 11,900 - 13,700 |
| Double Seated Room | Rs. 19,100 |
| Single Seated Room | Rs. 29,400 - 39,100 |
- Caution money is refundable upon course completion, provided no dues are pending.
- Hostel accommodation is subject to availability of vacant rooms and is not mandatory.
- SC, ST, and EWS students may be eligible for hostel fee exemptions as per Rajasthan government rules.
- Fees are subject to revision by the Rajasthan government and RUHS from time to time.
- Monthly stipend of Rs. 77,500 is paid to all MS Ophthalmology students throughout the course.
JLN MS Ophthalmology Admission 2026
Admission to MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer is conducted through the NEET PG exam, administered by NBEMS. The Medical Counselling Committee [MCC] conducts centralized online counselling for All India Quota [AIQ] seats (50%), while Rajasthan state counselling covers the remaining 50% seats. As of March 2026, the NEET PG 2025 cycle is complete and the next cycle (NEET PG 2026) is expected to begin with the exam in June 2026.
JLN Ajmer Admission Dates
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Exam | June 15, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Result | July 15, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 1 Registration | October 17 - November 5, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 1 Choice Filling | November 17-18, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | November 20, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 1 Reporting | November 21-27, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 2 Registration | December 2-7, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 2 Result | December 10, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 2 Reporting | December 11-28, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 3 Registration | December 23-28, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 3 Result | December 31, 2026 |
| MCC NEET PG Round 3 Reporting | January 1-8, 2027 |
| MCC NEET PG Stray Vacancy Round Registration | January 13-18, 2027 |
| MCC NEET PG Stray Vacancy Round Result | January 21, 2027 |
| MCC NEET PG Stray Vacancy Round Reporting | January 22-31, 2027 |
NEET PG 2026 Exam Dates
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Registration Start | April 7, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Registration End | May 7, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Admit Card | June 11, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Exam Date | June 15, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Result | July 15, 2026 |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must hold an MBBS degree or equivalent qualification recognized by the National Medical Commission [NMC].
- Candidates must have completed a 1-year compulsory rotating internship and possess a valid registration with the Medical Council of India or State Medical Council.
- Candidates must have qualified NEET PG with the required percentile (50th percentile for General category; 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC/PwD).
Admission Process
- Qualify NEET PG exam conducted by NBEMS.
- Register on the MCC portal (mcc.nic.in) for AIQ seats or on the Rajasthan state counselling portal for state quota seats.
- Pay the counselling registration fee (Rs. 1,000 for General/AIQ; Rs. 500 for OBC/SC/ST/PH).
- Fill and lock college and course preferences online.
- Seat allotment is done based on NEET PG merit rank and seat availability.
- Report to JLN Ajmer with original documents within the stipulated reporting date.
- Document verification and admission confirmation at the college.
JLN MS Ophthalmology Scholarships 2026
MS Ophthalmology students at JLN Ajmer receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 77,500, which significantly reduces the financial burden. Additionally, students may avail of national and state-level scholarships. The most relevant scholarships are listed below.
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies (UGC) | First-time PG students under 30 years in UGC-recognized full-time programs | Rs. 10,000 per year (or Rs. 15,000 per month for select categories) |
| NSP (PM-USP) Yojana | Students in AICTE/UGC recognized PG courses, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs, minimum 50% marks | Rs. 82,000 per annum |
| Rajasthan Government SC/ST/OBC Scholarship | SC/ST/OBC students enrolled in government medical colleges in Rajasthan | As per government norms; covers tuition and hostel fees |
- Given the generous monthly stipend of Rs. 77,500, most MS Ophthalmology students at JLN Ajmer are financially self-sufficient during the course.
- SC, ST, and EWS students at JLN Ajmer may be eligible for hostel fee waivers and tuition fee concessions as per Rajasthan government rules.
- Students are advised to apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) before the annual deadline (typically October-November each year).
JLN MS Ophthalmology FAQs
Ques. What is the monthly stipend for MS Ophthalmology students at JLN Ajmer, and is it paid regularly?
Ans. MS Ophthalmology students at JLN Ajmer receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 77,500 (as per the latest MCC data). The stipend is paid by the college/state government and is generally disbursed monthly. Students have reported that stipend payments at government colleges in Rajasthan are generally regular, though occasional delays can occur. The stipend structure at JLN Ajmer for PG students is: 1st year Rs. 55,200 + DA, 2nd year Rs. 58,650 + DA, 3rd year Rs. 60,950 + DA (as per older data; the current figure is Rs. 77,500 per month as per MCC 2025 data).
Ques. What is the bond obligation after MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer?
Ans. After completing MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer, students are required to serve a 2-year compulsory rural/government service bond. If a student fails to fulfill this obligation, a penalty of Rs. 1,00,00,000 (Rs. 1 crore) is levied. This is one of the highest bond penalties among PG specialties at JLN Ajmer, reflecting the high demand for ophthalmologists in rural Rajasthan.
Ques. How competitive is MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer? What NEET PG score is needed?
Ans. MS Ophthalmology is one of the most competitive PG specialties in India. Based on historical NEET PG data, the closing score for MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer (AIQ) was around 555 out of 800 in 2023. Candidates typically need a very high NEET PG score to secure this seat. The competition is intense due to the combination of a prestigious government college, low fees, and high stipend.
Ques. What surgical procedures will I learn during MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer?
Ans. The MS Ophthalmology curriculum at JLN Ajmer covers a wide range of surgical procedures including phacoemulsification (cataract surgery), trabeculectomy (glaucoma surgery), vitreoretinal surgery, corneal transplantation (keratoplasty), strabismus surgery, oculoplastic procedures, and laser treatments (LASIK, photocoagulation). The high patient volume at Victoria Hospital ensures adequate surgical exposure for all trainees.
Ques. Is there a difference in fees between AIQ and state quota seats for MS Ophthalmology at JLN Ajmer?
Ans. For government medical colleges in Rajasthan like JLN Ajmer, the tuition fee is the same for both AIQ and state quota seats (Rs. 6,050 per year). The fee structure is determined by the Rajasthan government and RUHS, and applies uniformly to all admitted students regardless of quota.
Ques. What are the career prospects after MS Ophthalmology from JLN Ajmer?
Ans. MS Ophthalmology graduates from JLN Ajmer have excellent career prospects. They can work as ophthalmologists in government hospitals, private hospitals, or set up their own eye clinics. Many graduates pursue super-specialty training (DM/MCh equivalent in ophthalmology sub-specialties) or fellowship programs in vitreoretina, cornea, or glaucoma. The demand for ophthalmologists in India, particularly in Rajasthan and neighboring states, remains very high. Starting salaries for government ophthalmologists in Rajasthan range from Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1,20,000 per month.