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The Orthopaedic Technician Certificate Course (referred to as Diploma in Orthopaedics) at Government Chengalpattu Medical College (GCMC), Chengalpattu is a 1-year full-time certificate programme offered under the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Medical Education (DME). The course is exclusively for male candidates and trains them in orthopaedic support functions including plaster casting, splinting, traction application, orthopaedic instrument handling, and patient care assistance in orthopaedic wards and OTs. GCMC offers 35 seats for this course. The course is popular among male candidates seeking employment in orthopaedic departments of government hospitals across Tamil Nadu.

Admission for the 2026-27 session was conducted through the Tamil Nadu DME Selection Committee. Applications were invited in September 2026 and admissions were completed by October 2026. For the 2027-28 session, applications are expected to be invited around August-September 2027 through the official portal tnmedicalselection.net, based on the previous year's pattern. No entrance exam is required; selection is based on HSC (12th standard) marks merit.

Key Points

35 seats available at GCMC for the Orthopaedic Technician course; open to male candidates only.
No entrance examination required; selection is based on HSC (12th standard) marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Botany-Zoology.
Open to both service and non-service candidates; service candidates must be working in government institutions with a pay scale at or below Rs. 5200-20200 + GP (1900).
The course provides hands-on training in plaster casting, splinting, traction, orthopaedic instrument handling, and ward/OT assistance at the attached multi-specialty hospital.
Graduates are eligible for Orthopaedic Technician posts in Tamil Nadu government hospitals, NHM, and private hospitals.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

GCMC Diploma Ortho Fees

The Orthopaedic Technician course at GCMC is offered at a very nominal fee as a government-run certificate programme under the Tamil Nadu DME. The fee structure is minimal, with the primary components being tuition, special fees, and a refundable caution deposit. SC/ST candidates with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per year are eligible for full fee exemption under the Tamil Nadu government scholarship scheme.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fees	72 per annum
Special Fee	500 per annum
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	25
Total Fees	597

The caution deposit of Rs. 25 is refundable at the end of the course.
SC/ST candidates with parental income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year are exempt from all compulsory non-refundable fees under the Tamil Nadu Government scholarship programme.
No hostel facility is specifically mentioned for this certificate course; candidates should confirm availability with the college administration.
Fees are subject to revision by the Tamil Nadu Government from time to time.

GCMC Diploma Ortho Admission 2026

Admission to the Orthopaedic Technician course at GCMC is conducted by the Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education, Tamil Nadu. Selection is based on HSC marks merit (Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Botany-Zoology), with communal reservation as per Tamil Nadu Government norms. Only male candidates are eligible. For 2026-27, applications were invited in September 2026 and admissions were completed by October 2026. For 2027-28, the process is expected to follow a similar timeline.

College-Specific Admission Dates (2026-27 Session - Completed)

Event	Date
Application Notification	September 3, 2026
Application Receipt Period	September 8-12, 2026
Publication of Merit List	September 16, 2026
Joining Time	September 20, 2026
Walk-in Admission (Leftover Seats)	September 22, 2026 onwards
Completion of Admission Process	September 30, 2026
Commencement of Course	October 6, 2026

Note: No national entrance exam is required for this course. The above dates are based on the Allied Healthcare Certificate Courses admission schedule published by GCMC for 2026-27.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Only male candidates are eligible for the Orthopaedic Technician course.
Must have passed HSC (12th standard) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Botany and Zoology with not less than 40% aggregate marks (OC/BC/BCM/MBC/DNC); SC/SCA/ST candidates need only a pass in HSC.
Candidates must be native of Tamil Nadu; minimum age is 17 years as on December 31 of the admission year (no upper age limit for this course as per 2026-27 guidelines).

Admission Process:

Obtain application form from the Office of the Dean/Vice Principal, GCMC, or the District Collectorate Help Desk (free of cost).
Submit duly filled application with required documents (HSC mark sheet, SSLC mark sheet, Transfer Certificate, Community Certificate, Nativity Certificate if applicable, Aadhaar/Photo ID) to the Dean's office within the stipulated date.
Merit list is published on the official website (tnmedicalselection.net / cmccpt.ac.in).
Attend counselling at the Admin Block, GCMC, as per the published schedule.
Allotment orders are issued on the spot during counselling.
Report to the college with original documents and pay the nominal course fee.

GCMC Diploma Ortho Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to the Orthopaedic Technician course at GCMC are eligible for various state and central government scholarships, particularly those from SC/ST/OBC categories. The Tamil Nadu Government also provides fee exemption for eligible reserved category students. Students may also be eligible for the 'Vetri Nichayam' scheme as notified by the Tamil Nadu Government.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Financial Support	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Tamil Nadu Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	SC/ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Full exemption from all compulsory non-refundable fees
SC Converted Christianity Scholarship	SC converted Christian students with family income below Rs. 2 lakh/year	Full fee exemption
Vetri Nichayam Scheme (Tamil Nadu)	Students admitted to Allied Healthcare Certificate Courses	Financial assistance as per scheme norms
Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship (OBC)	OBC students with family income below Rs. 1 lakh/year	Maintenance allowance and fee reimbursement
National Scholarship Portal Schemes	Various categories based on income and community	Variable; check NSP portal

Scholarship applications for state schemes are submitted through the Tamil Nadu e-Scholarship portal.
Central scholarships require application through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Deadlines vary; candidates should apply at the start of the academic year.
Service candidates on deputation are treated as on duty and draw pay and allowances during the training period.

GCMC Diploma Ortho FAQs

Ques. Why is the Orthopaedic Technician course restricted to male candidates only?

Ans. The Orthopaedic Technician course at Tamil Nadu government medical colleges is designated as "All Male" as per the Tamil Nadu DME norms, primarily due to the physical nature of the work (heavy plaster casting, traction application, patient handling in orthopaedic wards and OTs). This is a long-standing policy of the Tamil Nadu DME for this specific course.

Ques. Is there any entrance exam for admission to the Orthopaedic Technician course at GCMC?

Ans. No. There is no entrance examination. Selection is based on HSC (12th standard) marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Botany-Zoology, with communal reservation as per Tamil Nadu Government norms. Service candidates are selected based on service seniority.

Ques. What are the job opportunities after completing this course?

Ans. Graduates are eligible for Orthopaedic Technician posts in Tamil Nadu government hospitals, NHM, private hospitals, and orthopaedic clinics. The Tamil Nadu Government regularly recruits for these posts through TN MRB and district-level health departments. Private orthopaedic hospitals and corporate healthcare chains also hire orthopaedic technicians.

Ques. Can candidates from outside Tamil Nadu apply for this course at GCMC?

Ans. No. Only candidates who are natives of Tamil Nadu are eligible for admission to this course under the Tamil Nadu DME Selection Committee. Candidates from other states are not eligible.

Ques. What practical skills will I learn in the Orthopaedic Technician course?

Ans. Students are trained in plaster of Paris (POP) casting and removal, splinting, traction application and maintenance, orthopaedic instrument sterilization and handling, patient positioning and transfer, and assisting in orthopaedic OT procedures. Training is conducted at the GCMC orthopaedics department, which has a high patient load.

Ques. Is there an upper age limit for this course?

Ans. As per the 2026-27 Allied Healthcare Certificate Courses guidelines issued by the Tamil Nadu Government, there is no upper age limit for Allied Healthcare Certificate Courses (including Orthopaedic Technician). The minimum age is 17 years as on December 31 of the admission year.