Master of Surgery [MS] (Ophthalmology)
About Master of Surgery [MS] (Ophthalmology)
The Master of Surgery [MS] in Ophthalmology at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar is a 3-year full-time postgraduate surgical programme offered by one of Jammu and Kashmir's most prestigious government medical institutions. The course covers the complete spectrum of ophthalmic sciences including clinical ophthalmology, ocular surgery, retinal diseases, glaucoma, corneal disorders, and paediatric ophthalmology. SKIMS offers 3 seats in MS Ophthalmology, with admission based on NEET PG scores, and the total tuition fee for the entire programme is approximately Rs. 33,000 (as per MCC fee data, approximately Rs. 11,000 per year). The course is offered in full-time on-campus mode at the SKIMS Soura campus, Srinagar, and is highly sought after due to the institute's strong clinical exposure, government status, and affordable fee structure.
Admission for the 2026 batch is upcoming. Based on the 2025 cycle, NEET PG 2026 registration is expected to open in April 2026, with the exam tentatively scheduled for June 2026. JK BOPEE state counselling for the 2026 batch is expected to begin in September-October 2026 after NEET PG 2026 results are declared. Candidates should monitor the official SKIMS website (skims.ac.in) and JK BOPEE portal (jkbopee.gov.in) for updates.
Key Points
- SKIMS is a semi-autonomous government institution established in 1988, recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
- The Department of Ophthalmology at SKIMS is equipped with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic modalities including OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), FFA (Fundus Fluorescein Angiography), and a state-of-the-art research lab.
- Residents receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 80,000, making it financially attractive compared to private institutions.
- The institute has a 600+ bed teaching hospital with high patient inflow, ensuring extensive hands-on clinical and surgical training.
- SKIMS is one of the few government institutions in J&K offering MS Ophthalmology under the All India Quota (AIQ) through MCC counselling.
- No bond or service obligation is currently mandated for MS Ophthalmology residents at SKIMS.
SKIMS MS Ophthalmology Fees
The MS Ophthalmology programme at SKIMS is one of the most affordable postgraduate surgical courses in India, given its government status. The tuition fee is approximately Rs. 11,000 per year (as reported under MCC PG Medical fee data), making the total tuition for the 3-year programme approximately Rs. 33,000. Hostel accommodation is available on campus for residents and is charged separately at approximately Rs. 16,000 per month. Residents also receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 80,000, which effectively offsets all living and hostel expenses.
Fee Components
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | 11,000 |
| Other Academic Charges (per year) | Included in tuition |
| Hostel Fee (per month) | 16,000 (approx.) |
| Total Tuition Fee (3 years) | 33,000 |
| Total Hostel Fee (3 years, approx.) | 5,76,000 |
- Hostel accommodation is optional and not mandatory; it is charged separately.
- Monthly stipend of Rs. 80,000 is provided to all residents, which more than covers hostel and living expenses.
- Fees are subject to revision as per government norms.
- No NRI or management quota seats are available for this course.
SKIMS MS Ophthalmology Admission 2026
Admission to MS Ophthalmology at SKIMS is conducted through two routes: 50% All India Quota (AIQ) via MCC counselling, and 50% State Quota via JK BOPEE counselling. The 2025 admission cycle has been completed. For the 2026 batch, NEET PG 2026 is expected to be conducted in June 2026, followed by MCC and JK BOPEE counselling from September 2026 onwards. Candidates are advised to register on both the MCC portal (mcc.nic.in) and JK BOPEE portal (jkbopee.gov.in) once registration opens.
SKIMS Admission Schedule
| Event | 2025 Dates (Actual) | 2026 Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| JK BOPEE Registration Opens | September 23, 2025 | September 2026 |
| JK BOPEE Registration Closes | September 27, 2025 | September 2026 |
| JK BOPEE Provisional Merit List | October 28, 2025 | October 2026 |
| JK BOPEE Round 1 Choice Filling | November 20-23, 2025 | November 2026 |
| JK BOPEE Round 1 Seat Allotment | November 26, 2025 | November 2026 |
| JK BOPEE Round 1 Reporting | November 27 - December 1, 2025 | November-December 2026 |
| JK BOPEE Round 2 Choice Filling | December 10-12, 2025 | December 2026 |
| JK BOPEE Round 2 Seat Allotment | December 22, 2025 | December 2026 |
| Batch Commencement | January 2026 | January 2027 (tentative) |
NEET PG Exam Dates
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Application Start | April 7, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Application 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 |
| MCC AIQ Counselling Begins | September 2026 (tentative) |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must hold an MBBS degree from an NMC-recognised medical college with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved categories).
- Candidates must have completed a compulsory rotating internship of one year on or before the date specified in the NEET PG notification (typically August 11 of the exam year).
- Candidates must possess a valid registration certificate from the Medical Council of India (MCI) or State Medical Council (SMC).
Admission Process
- Qualify NEET PG 2026 with the required percentile/score.
- Register on the MCC portal (mcc.nic.in) for AIQ seats or on JK BOPEE portal (jkbopee.gov.in) for state quota seats.
- Pay the registration fee (Rs. 2,000 for JK BOPEE; Rs. 1,000 for MCC AIQ general category).
- Participate in online choice filling and lock preferences within the stipulated deadline.
- Attend document verification and report to SKIMS upon seat allotment.
- Complete joining formalities including submission of original documents and payment of fees.
SKIMS MS Ophthalmology Scholarships 2026
SKIMS does not offer direct institutional scholarships for MS Ophthalmology students. However, students can avail of various government-funded scholarships and financial support schemes. The monthly stipend of Rs. 80,000 provided to all PG residents is the primary financial support. Additionally, SC/ST students can apply for state and central government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
The following scholarships are available to eligible MS Ophthalmology students at SKIMS:
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount (INR) | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend | All PG residents (Year 1, 2, 3) | Rs. 80,000/month | SKIMS / Government of J&K |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students | SC category students | Up to Rs. 40,000/year | Government of J&K / NSP |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students | ST category students | Up to Rs. 60,000/year | Government of J&K / NSP |
| Central Sector Scholarship (NSP) | Merit-based, all categories | Variable | Ministry of Education, GoI |
| Top Class Education Scheme for ST Students | ST students in recognised institutions | Variable | Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI |
- Scholarship applications for NSP-based schemes are typically open from June to December each year.
- Candidates must maintain satisfactory academic performance and attendance for scholarship renewal.
- The monthly stipend is the most significant financial benefit and is paid directly by SKIMS/Government of J&K.
- SC/ST scholarship amounts are subject to revision by the respective government departments.
SKIMS MS Ophthalmology FAQs
Ques. How many seats are available for MS Ophthalmology at SKIMS Srinagar, and how are they divided between AIQ and state quota?
Ans. SKIMS offers 3 seats in MS Ophthalmology. As per the standard MCC/NMC norms, 50% of seats (approximately 1-2 seats) fall under the All India Quota (AIQ) managed by MCC, and the remaining 50% (1-2 seats) are under the J&K State Quota managed by JK BOPEE. The exact split may vary slightly each year based on the seat matrix released by MCC.
Ques. What is the monthly stipend for MS Ophthalmology residents at SKIMS, and is there any bond obligation?
Ans. MS Ophthalmology residents at SKIMS receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 80,000 across all three years of the programme. As of the latest available information, there is no bond or compulsory service obligation attached to the MS Ophthalmology programme at SKIMS. However, candidates should verify this at the time of admission as policies can change.
Ques. What is the NEET PG rank required to get MS Ophthalmology at SKIMS under AIQ?
Ans. Based on MCC AIQ counselling 2025 data, the closing rank for MS Ophthalmology at SKIMS under the General category was approximately 16,146 (Round 1-3). SC category closed at approximately 33,522 and ST at approximately 39,561. These ranks are indicative and vary each year depending on the number of candidates and seat availability.
Ques. What kind of clinical and surgical exposure does the MS Ophthalmology programme at SKIMS offer?
Ans. SKIMS has a dedicated Ophthalmology OPD running Monday to Saturday, with high patient inflow from across Jammu and Kashmir and neighbouring regions. The department is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools including OCT, FFA, and a research lab. Residents get exposure to a wide range of cases including cataract surgery, glaucoma management, retinal procedures, corneal transplants, and paediatric ophthalmology. The institute's 600+ bed hospital ensures substantial hands-on surgical training.
Ques. Can candidates from outside Jammu and Kashmir apply for MS Ophthalmology at SKIMS?
Ans. Yes. Candidates from outside J&K can apply for the AIQ seats (50% of total seats) through MCC counselling at mcc.nic.in. The state quota seats (50%) are reserved for permanent residents of J&K and Ladakh through JK BOPEE counselling. Non-J&K candidates are not eligible for state quota seats.
Ques. Is hostel accommodation guaranteed for MS Ophthalmology residents at SKIMS, and what are the charges?
Ans. SKIMS provides separate hostel facilities for male and female PG residents on campus. Hostel accommodation is generally available for residents, though it is not guaranteed and is subject to availability. The hostel charges are approximately Rs. 16,000 per month, which includes room and basic amenities. Given the monthly stipend of Rs. 80,000, the hostel cost is easily manageable for residents.