About Master of Surgery [MS] (Ophthalmology)
The MS (Ophthalmology) program at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Belagavi is a 3-year postgraduate surgical degree offered under the KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), a NAAC A+ accredited Deemed-to-be-University. The program has an intake of 4 Management/Paid seats and 1 NRI seat, with additional seats allotted through the All India Quota (AIQ) and Karnataka State Quota via NEET PG counselling. JNMC's Department of Ophthalmology is well-equipped with advanced facilities including phacoemulsification, vitreoretinal surgery, corneal transplantation, glaucoma management, and a dedicated eye OPD at the KLE Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre. The program is popular for its high surgical caseload, experienced faculty, and strong clinical training in all subspecialties of ophthalmology. The first-year management/paid seat fee for 2026-27 is INR 27,90,000. All students receive a monthly stipend (INR 56,250 in Year 1, INR 62,500 in Year 2, and INR 68,750 in Year 3).
Admissions for the 2027-28 batch are through NEET PG 2026, with the exam tentatively scheduled for 15 June 2026. Karnataka state quota seats are filled through KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) counselling, while AIQ seats are filled through MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) counselling. The 2026-27 batch admissions have been completed.
Key Points
- 3-year full-time MS program with 4 Management/Paid seats and 1 NRI seat at JNMC Belagavi; additional seats via AIQ and Karnataka State Quota.
- Admission is through NEET PG score, followed by MCC counselling (AIQ) and KEA counselling (State Quota).
- All admitted students receive a monthly stipend: INR 56,250 (Year 1), INR 62,500 (Year 2), INR 68,750 (Year 3).
- Department equipped with phacoemulsification, vitreoretinal surgery, corneal transplantation, glaucoma, oculoplasty, and pediatric ophthalmology facilities.
- High surgical caseload at the KLE Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital, one of the largest tertiary care hospitals in North Karnataka.
- NRI category seats are available; fees for NRI category are payable in US Dollars (USD 98,300 per year for 2026-27).
JNMC MS Ophthalmology Fees
The MS (Ophthalmology) program at JNMC has a first-year management/paid seat fee of INR 27,90,000 for 2026-27. The fee is payable annually and remains the same for all 3 years of the program, making the total tuition fee INR 83,70,000 for the full course. Government quota seats (allotted through AIQ/State Quota) have a significantly lower fee as regulated by the government. All students are eligible for a monthly stipend, which partially offsets the fee burden.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Management/Paid Seat (General) | NRI Category |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (per year) | INR 27,90,000 | USD 98,300 |
| Total Fees (3 Years) | INR 83,70,000 | USD 2,94,900 |
- Government/State Quota seat fees are regulated by the Karnataka government and are significantly lower; candidates should check the KEA fee notification for the current year.
- NRI category fees are payable in US Dollars only.
- All students receive a monthly stipend: INR 56,250 (Year 1), INR 62,500 (Year 2), INR 68,750 (Year 3).
- Hostel facility is available at JNMC campus; hostel fees are charged separately.
- Eligibility fees, procedure fees, and enrolment fees are charged separately as per university norms.
JNMC MS Ophthalmology Admission 2026
Admissions to the MS (Ophthalmology) program at JNMC are based on NEET PG scores. AIQ seats (50%) are filled through MCC counselling, and Karnataka State Quota seats (50%) are filled through KEA counselling. Management/Paid seats are filled by KAHER through its own admission process based on NEET PG merit. For the 2027-28 batch, NEET PG 2026 is tentatively scheduled for 15 June 2026. Candidates must register for NEET PG through the NBE (National Board of Examinations) portal.
JNMC MS (Ophthalmology) Admission Calendar
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Registration Start | 7 April 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Registration End | 7 May 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Admit Card | 11 June 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Exam Date | 15 June 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Result | 15 July 2026 |
| MCC AIQ Counselling (Round 1) | August 2026 (tentative) |
| KEA Karnataka State Quota Counselling | August/September 2026 (tentative) |
| KAHER Management Seat Admission | After NEET PG result (tentative) |
Relevant Entrance Exam
| Exam | Conducted By | Relevance | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 | NBE (National Board of Examinations) | Mandatory for all MS seats | Score used for AIQ, State Quota, and Management seat allotment |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must hold an MBBS degree from a recognized university/institution.
- Must have completed a 1-year compulsory rotating internship (or be completing it by 31 March of the admission year).
- Must have a valid NEET PG score for the respective admission year.
Admission Process:
- Register and appear for NEET PG 2026 through the NBE portal (nbe.edu.in).
- AIQ seats: Participate in MCC counselling (mcc.nic.in) based on NEET PG rank.
- Karnataka State Quota seats: Participate in KEA counselling (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in) based on NEET PG rank.
- Management/Paid seats: Apply directly to KAHER/JNMC after NEET PG results; allotment based on NEET PG merit.
- Complete admission formalities, pay fees, and report to JNMC as per the schedule.
JNMC MS Ophthalmology Scholarships 2026
All MS (Ophthalmology) students at JNMC/KAHER receive a monthly stipend as part of their residency training. Additionally, government scholarship schemes for postgraduate medical students may be available for eligible candidates. The stipend structure for 2026-27 is INR 56,250/month (Year 1), INR 62,500/month (Year 2), and INR 68,750/month (Year 3).
Stipend and Scholarship Details
| Benefit / Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend (Year 1) | All admitted students | INR 56,250/month | Paid by KAHER/JNMC |
| Monthly Stipend (Year 2) | All admitted students | INR 62,500/month | Paid by KAHER/JNMC |
| Monthly Stipend (Year 3) | All admitted students | INR 68,750/month | Paid by KAHER/JNMC |
| Government Scholarship Schemes | SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates | As per government norms | Check National Scholarship Portal |
- The stipend is paid monthly and is subject to satisfactory performance and attendance.
- Government scholarship schemes are separate from the stipend and must be applied for independently.
JNMC MS Ophthalmology FAQs
Ques. How many MS (Ophthalmology) seats are available at JNMC Belagavi and how are they distributed?
Ans. JNMC Belagavi has 4 Management/Paid seats and 1 NRI seat in MS (Ophthalmology) for 2026-27. Additionally, seats are available under the All India Quota (AIQ, 50% of total seats) filled through MCC counselling, and Karnataka State Quota (50%) filled through KEA counselling. The total recognized seats include both government and management quota.
Ques. What is the stipend for MS (Ophthalmology) residents at JNMC?
Ans. All MS (Ophthalmology) residents at JNMC receive a monthly stipend of INR 56,250 in Year 1, INR 62,500 in Year 2, and INR 68,750 in Year 3 (as per 2026-27 rates). This stipend is paid by KAHER/JNMC.
Ques. What subspecialty training is available during MS (Ophthalmology) at JNMC?
Ans. The MS (Ophthalmology) program at JNMC covers all major subspecialties including cataract and phacoemulsification surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, corneal transplantation, glaucoma management, oculoplasty, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, and low vision rehabilitation. The high surgical caseload at KLE Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital ensures comprehensive hands-on training.
Ques. What is the total fee for MS (Ophthalmology) at JNMC for a management seat candidate?
Ans. The first-year fee for a management/paid seat in MS (Ophthalmology) at JNMC is INR 27,90,000 for 2026-27. The total fee for the 3-year program is INR 83,70,000. However, the monthly stipend (INR 56,250 to INR 68,750/month) partially offsets this cost.
Ques. Is NEET PG mandatory for admission to MS (Ophthalmology) at JNMC, even for management seats?
Ans. Yes, NEET PG is mandatory for all categories of seats including management/paid seats. Candidates must have a valid NEET PG score for the respective admission year. Management seats are allotted based on NEET PG merit by KAHER.
Ques. What is the NEET PG rank required for MS (Ophthalmology) at JNMC Belagavi?
Ans. The NEET PG rank required varies each year based on the number of candidates and seat availability. MS (Ophthalmology) is a competitive branch; candidates are advised to check the previous year's closing ranks from the MCC and KEA counselling portals for reference. Management seat cutoffs are generally lower than government quota cutoffs.