Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The Ph.D. (Dermatology) program at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Belagavi is a full-time or part-time doctoral research program offered under the KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), a NAAC A+ accredited deemed-to-be university. The program has a minimum duration of 3 years (extendable up to 6 years, and up to 8 years with re-registration), with a total fee of Rs. 90,000 for full-time non-KLE employees (Health Sciences category) for the first year, and Rs. 60,000 per year as tuition fees for subsequent years. The program is conducted in full-time on-campus mode at the JNMC campus, Belagavi, and is popular among medical professionals holding MD/MS degrees who wish to pursue advanced research in dermatology. JNMC is ranked 46th among medical colleges in India by NIRF 2025 and is backed by the 2,200-bed KLE Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, providing an excellent clinical research environment.

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Dermatology) program are conducted twice a year (Batch A in January and Batch B in June). For the 2026-27 Batch A, the admission notification was issued in November 2025 (second week), and applications are now closed. The next upcoming cycle is Batch B (June 2026), for which the notification is expected in the second week of April 2026. Candidates should watch the official KAHER website (kaher.edu.in) for the Batch B 2026 notification.

Key Points

Ph.D. in Dermatology is offered under the Faculty of Medicine (Clinical - Medicine and Allied Subjects) at KAHER/JNMC, Belagavi.
The program is available in both Full-Time and Part-Time (Internal/External) modes.
Pre-Ph.D. coursework includes Biostatistics, Research Methodology, Title Presentation, and online courses on Health Research Fundamentals and Research & Publication Ethics.
Scholars must publish at least 2 original research papers in SCOPUS/PubMed/Web of Science indexed journals and present 2 conference papers before thesis submission.
Financial assistance (scholarship and contingency) is available for deserving full-time scholars on the recommendation of the competent committee.
JNMC's Department of Skin & VD (Dermatology) is a well-established clinical department with active research output, providing a strong base for doctoral research.
The university conducts admissions twice a year (Batch A: January; Batch B: June), giving candidates two opportunities annually.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

JNMC Ph.D. (Dermatology) Fees

The Ph.D. (Dermatology) program at JNMC/KAHER has a structured fee system. For full-time non-KLE employee scholars (Health Sciences), the first-year fee totals Rs. 90,000, which includes a one-time registration fee, orientation course fee, and eligibility fee, along with the annual tuition fee. From the second year onwards, only the annual tuition fee of Rs. 60,000 is payable. Part-time external scholars pay a total of Rs. 59,000 in the first year, while part-time internal (KLE employees) scholars pay only Rs. 24,000 in the first year with no tuition fee thereafter.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Full-Time (Non-KLE Employee)	Part-Time (External)	Part-Time (Internal/KLE Employee)
Registration Fees (one-time)	Rs. 8,000	Rs. 4,000	Rs. 4,000
Tuition Fees (per year)	Rs. 60,000	Rs. 35,000	NIL
Orientation Course (one-time)	Rs. 8,000	Rs. 8,000	Rs. 8,000
Defense & Viva-Voce (one-time)	Rs. 12,000	Rs. 12,000	Rs. 12,000
Eligibility Fees (one-time)	Rs. 2,000	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Total (1st Year)	Rs. 90,000	Rs. 59,000	Rs. 24,000

From the 2nd year onwards, only tuition fees are payable: Rs. 60,000/year (Full-Time Non-KLE), Rs. 35,000/year (Part-Time External), NIL (Part-Time Internal/KLE employees).
For a minimum 3-year full-time program, the total approximate fee for a non-KLE employee would be Rs. 90,000 (Year 1) + Rs. 60,000 (Year 2) + Rs. 60,000 (Year 3) = Rs. 2,10,000.
Late fees are applicable for delayed payment of annual tuition fees.
Candidates who discontinue the program are liable to pay the entire course fee.
Full-time scholars who receive financial assistance and fail to continue the program must refund the entire scholarship and contingency amount.

JNMC Ph.D. (Dermatology) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Dermatology) program at JNMC/KAHER are conducted twice a year through a university-level entrance examination followed by an interview. The 2026-27 Batch A admission cycle has been completed (applications closed in December 2025). The next cycle, Batch B 2026, is expected to open in April 2026. Candidates are selected based on a combined merit of 70 marks for the entrance test and 30 marks for the interview, with a minimum qualifying score of 50 out of 100.

KAHER Ph.D. Admission Calendar of Events

Event	Batch A (January 2026)	Batch B (June 2026) - Tentative
Issue of Admission Notification	November II week 2025	April II week 2026
Scrutiny of Applications	December II week 2025	May II week 2026
Ph.D. Entrance Exam	January I week 2026	June I week 2026
Declaration of Entrance Result	January IV week 2026	June IV week 2026
Ph.D. Interview	February II week 2026	July II week 2026
Release of Selection List & Admission Process	February IV week 2026	July IV week 2026
Joining of Scholars	March I week 2026	August I week 2026
Commencement of Coursework	March I week 2026	August I week 2026

Note: Batch A 2026-27 applications are closed. Batch B 2026 dates are tentative based on the official KAHER calendar pattern. Candidates should check kaher.edu.in for the official Batch B notification.

Entrance Exam Details

Exam	Conducting Body	Relevance
KAHER Ph.D. Entrance Test	KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER)	Mandatory for admission to Ph.D. (Dermatology) at JNMC/KAHER

Note: The KAHER Ph.D. Entrance Test is the only mandatory exam for this program. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE or hold ICMR fellowship are eligible to directly appear for the interview without the entrance test.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an MD (Dermatology) or MD (Skin & VD) or equivalent postgraduate medical degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/differently-abled candidates).
Candidates with M.Sc. in relevant medical subjects (under medical faculty, recognized by UGC) with 55% marks are also eligible for pre-clinical/para-clinical disciplines; for clinical disciplines like Dermatology, an MD/MS is the standard requirement.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE or hold ICMR/UGC fellowship are eligible as full-time research scholars as per UGC norms.

Admission Process

Visit the official KAHER website (kaher.edu.in) and fill the online application form during the notification period.
Pay the application fee and submit the form before the last date.
Appear for the KAHER Ph.D. Entrance Test at JNMC Campus, Belagavi (the test consists of 50% Research Methodology and 50% subject-specific questions).
Candidates scoring 50% or above in the entrance test are called for the interview before the Ph.D. Admission Committee.
Final selection is based on combined merit: 70 marks (entrance test) + 30 marks (interview); minimum qualifying score is 50/100.
Selected candidates must report to the Head of the Institute and pay the prescribed fees to confirm admission.
Admitted scholars must renew their admission every year by paying the annual tuition fee.

JNMC Ph.D. (Dermatology) Scholarships 2026

KAHER provides financial assistance to deserving full-time Ph.D. scholars in the form of scholarship and contingency grants. The scholarship is available for Senior Research Fellows (post MD/MS/MDS) and Junior Research Fellows, and is awarded based on the recommendation of the competent committee. This financial support makes the Ph.D. program accessible to meritorious candidates who may not have external funding, and is particularly beneficial for full-time scholars committed to research at JNMC.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Financial Assistance	Amount	Eligibility	Duration
Senior Research Fellow (SRF) Scholarship	Rs. 40,000 per month	Full-time scholars with post MD/MS/MDS qualification	Up to 33 months (subject to clearing Pre-Ph.D. exam in first attempt)
Junior Research Fellow (JRF) Scholarship	Rs. 20,000 per month	Full-time scholars (others)	Up to 33 months (subject to clearing Pre-Ph.D. exam in first attempt)
Contingency Grant	Rs. 50,000 per year	All full-time scholars (once accepted by committee)	Up to 2 years

Scholarship and contingency are granted only on the recommendation of the competent authority/committee and are not automatic.
Candidates receiving financial support from any other agency (e.g., DST, ICMR, DBT) are not eligible for KAHER scholarship and contingency.
Scholarship is granted for a period of 33 months, subject to clearance of the Pre-Ph.D. examination in the first attempt.
Full-time scholars who fail to continue the Ph.D. program after receiving financial assistance must refund the entire scholarship and contingency amount to the university.
No application deadline is specified; the committee reviews cases based on merit and recommendation.

JNMC Belagavi Ph.D Dermatology Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#379 out of 632 in India 2025

#34th in Karnataka

Indiatoday Ranking

#39 out of 54 in India 2025

#9th in Karnataka

IIRF Ranking

#22 out of 57 in Top Private Colleges in India 2025

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JNMC Ph.D. (Dermatology) FAQs

Ques. Is an MD in Dermatology mandatory to apply for Ph.D. (Dermatology) at JNMC/KAHER, or can MBBS holders apply?

Ans. An MD (Dermatology) or equivalent postgraduate medical degree is required for admission to Ph.D. (Dermatology) at KAHER/JNMC. MBBS holders are not directly eligible. The eligibility requires a Master's degree (MD/MS or equivalent) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate.

Ques. Can I pursue the Ph.D. (Dermatology) on a part-time basis while working at another hospital or medical college?

Ans. Yes, KAHER offers a Part-Time (External) mode for candidates employed at other institutions. You will need a No Objection Certificate from your employer, and your institution must run a PG course in the relevant department. You must work a minimum of 8 hours per week with your research guide. Note that part-time research work cannot be conducted through distance or online mode.

Ques. How many seats are available for Ph.D. in Dermatology specifically at JNMC?

Ans. KAHER does not publish specialty-wise seat breakup for Ph.D. programs. The total seats for the Medicine faculty across KAHER are approximately 69 per batch (as per 2026-27 Batch A). Dermatology is one of the clinical specialties under Medicine. The actual number of seats depends on the availability of approved research guides in the Dermatology department at JNMC.

Ques. Is the KAHER Ph.D. Entrance Test conducted online or offline, and what is the syllabus?

Ans. The KAHER Ph.D. Entrance Test is conducted offline (in-person) at the JNMC Campus, Belagavi. The test consists of 50% questions on Research Methodology and 50% subject-specific questions related to Dermatology. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE or hold ICMR/UGC fellowship are exempted from the entrance test and can directly appear for the interview.

Ques. What are the publication requirements before submitting the Ph.D. thesis at KAHER?

Ans. Before submitting the thesis, a Ph.D. scholar at KAHER must publish at least 2 original research papers derived from their research work in journals indexed in SCOPUS, PubMed, or Web of Science (or UGC-listed journals). Additionally, the scholar must present at least 2 papers at conferences/seminars and produce evidence in the form of reprints and presentation certificates. These publications are reviewed by an expert committee before the scholar is permitted to present the second open house seminar.

Ques. What happens if I do not complete the Ph.D. within the minimum 3-year period at KAHER?

Ans. The Ph.D. program at KAHER has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years from the date of admission. An additional 2 years can be granted through re-registration, making the maximum possible duration 8 years. Female scholars and persons with disabilities (more than 40% disability) may get an additional 2-year relaxation, with a maximum of 10 years. If a scholar fails to submit the thesis within the prescribed period, their registration may be cancelled by the Vice-Chancellor.