Master of Science [M.Sc]

NIMHANS, Bengaluru, offers six MSc programmes in Biostatistics, Medical Imaging Technology, Psychiatric Nursing, Neuroscience Nursing, Yoga Therapy in Mental Health and Neurosciences, and Neurosciences. All programmes run for two years full-time at a total fee of INR 24,100, with admission through the NIMHANS National Entrance Examination (NEE) and total intake of 56 seats.

📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open March 2027 (Tentative).

Key Points

• All six MSc programmes include a monthly emolument of INR 15,000, a stipend rarely offered at MSc level in India.
• Programmes span clinical neuroscience, nursing specialties, integrative medicine, imaging technology, and biostatistics within a single 135-acre hospital-campus.
• NIMHANS is the only Institution of National Importance in India dedicated to mental health and neurosciences, giving MSc graduates direct exposure to one of the country’s largest neuropsychiatric tertiary care settings.
• MSc graduates receive named merit awards including the Dr. R. N. Moorthy Award, the Best Outgoing Student Award, and the Smt. Savithramma and Sri. Venkasteshiah Memorial Award across the different specialisations.

NIMHANS MSc Fees 2026

All six MSc programmes at NIMHANS carry an identical total fee of INR 24,100 for the full two-year course, making it one of the most affordable postgraduate science institutions in India. All admitted Institute Support seat holders additionally receive a monthly emolument of INR 15,000.

• Fees are subject to change. Verify with official sources before admission.

NIMHANS MSc Admission 2026

Important Dates

• All 2026 dates listed above have passed as of July 2026.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• MSc Neurosciences: Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Medicine (MBBS), AYUSH, BDS, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Technology, or Allied Health Sciences from a recognised university.
• MSc Psychiatric Nursing and MSc Neuroscience Nursing: BSc Nursing, BSc (Hons) Nursing, or Post Basic BSc Nursing from an INC-recognised institution. Post Basic BSc Nursing candidates must have a minimum of one year of experience after Basic BSc Nursing.
• MSc Biostatistics: UG degree with Mathematics or Statistics as a main subject.
• MSc Medical Imaging Technology: BSc in Medical Radiology, Radiological Technology, Radiography, or Medical Imaging Technology from a full-time regular programme.
• MSc Yoga Therapy: BSc Yoga or BNYS from a recognised university, or a Science, Medical, or Paramedical graduate degree with a one-year Diploma in Yoga Science.
• Qualifying percentage: 50% for UR, OBC, and EWS candidates and 45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.
• Age limit: 30 years for Institute Support seats and 45 years for Sponsored or Deputed candidates.

Admission Process

• Candidates apply online through the official NIMHANS portal during the application window, typically open in March each year.
• Eligible applicants appear for the NIMHANS NEE, a 100-MCQ written test held at Bengaluru over 90 minutes.
• Seat allocation follows NEE merit rank, with seats divided into All India and Karnataka Domicile categories for each programme.
• Selected candidates complete document verification and medical fitness assessment before final admission, then report by the commencement date to begin receiving the monthly emolument of INR 15,000.

NIMHANS MSc vs Other Colleges

The table below compares NIMHANS MSc with similar government and deemed medical institutions on fees, entrance exams, cutoff, and placements.

✓ Opt for this if

• You want a neuroscience or psychiatric nursing career with near-zero tuition outlay.
• You need a monthly stipend to support yourself through a postgraduate programme.
• You want clinical exposure inside one of India’s largest neuropsychiatric tertiary hospitals.
• You are targeting research or faculty roles in mental health and neuroscience.

✗ Skip if

• Your target specialisation falls outside neurosciences, nursing, imaging, or biostatistics.
• You want a campus outside Bengaluru or need a wider geographic placement network.
• You require a broad corporate-sector recruitment pipeline from your MSc college.

NIMHANS MSc Scholarships 2026

NIMHANS provides institutional financial support and merit awards to MSc students, alongside government scholarship schemes available to eligible candidates.

• Monthly emolument is disbursed by NIMHANS for the duration of the programme.
• Government scholarship eligibility and amounts vary by category and scheme year.

NIMHANS MSc FAQs

Ques. Can a student from a non-biology background apply for MSc Neurosciences at NIMHANS?

Ans. Yes. The eligibility for MSc Neurosciences at NIMHANS covers any stream of Science, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Allied Health Sciences, or related technical fields, so a B.Tech or BSc holder qualifies alongside MBBS graduates. The minimum qualifying percentage is 50% for UR, OBC, and EWS candidates and 45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.

Ques. Is the INR 15,000 monthly emolument paid for the full two-year duration or only during the first year?

Ans. The monthly emolument of INR 15,000 is provided for the full two-year duration of the programme to all students admitted on Institute Support seats across all six MSc programmes. Students on Sponsored or Deputed seats are supported by their sponsoring organisation and do not receive the NIMHANS emolument.

Ques. What is the difference between the MSc Psychiatric Nursing and MSc Neuroscience Nursing programmes at NIMHANS?

Ans. Both programmes are for qualified BSc Nursing graduates and carry 15 seats each at the same INR 24,100 total fee. MSc Psychiatric Nursing focuses on mental health clinical practice, while MSc Neuroscience Nursing centres on neurological and neurosurgical nursing in tertiary hospital settings.

Ques. How competitive is the NIMHANS NEE for MSc programmes and what should aspirants prepare?

Ans. The NIMHANS NEE is a 100-MCQ written test over 90 minutes at Bengaluru, and competition is high given total MSc intake is only 56 seats across all six programmes. The paper is programme-specific, testing neurobiology and physiology for MSc Neurosciences and nursing sciences for Nursing programmes, with preparation typically drawn from UG syllabi.

Ques. What career paths do NIMHANS MSc graduates typically pursue?

Ans. MSc Neurosciences graduates typically move into PhD programmes at IISc, NCBS, or TIFR, while Nursing specialisations open roles in neuropsychiatry and government medical colleges. MSc Biostatistics graduates find roles in clinical research organisations and pharmaceutical companies, and Medical Imaging Technology graduates work in diagnostic imaging departments.