Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) program at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Belagavi is 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 and is available in both Full-Time and Part-Time (Internal/External) modes. It is a research-intensive doctoral program under the Faculty of Medicine, designed for candidates who have completed postgraduate medical education (MD in Forensic Medicine or related fields). JNMC's Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology provides a strong academic and research environment, with access to medico-legal case material, toxicology laboratories, and the KLE Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre.

Admissions for the 2026-27 Batch A are currently in progress. The online application window has closed (deadline was December 2025), and the Ph.D. Entrance Examination was held in January 2026. Results were declared in February 2026, and interviews are scheduled for February 2026 (2nd week). The final selection list and admission process are expected in the 4th week of February 2026, with scholars joining in the 1st week of March 2026. For the next cycle (Batch B), admissions are expected to open in April 2026 (2nd week) with the entrance exam in June 2026 (1st week).

Key Points

Ph.D. in Forensic Medicine is offered under the Faculty of Medicine at KAHER/JNMC.
Available in Full-Time (minimum 3 years) and Part-Time Internal/External (minimum 3 years) modes.
Selection is based on a university-level entrance examination followed by an interview conducted by the Ph.D. Admission Committee.
Full-time scholars (post MD) are eligible for a Senior Research Fellow (SRF) scholarship of INR 40,000/month, subject to committee approval.
Contingency grant of INR 50,000/year is available for full-time scholars for up to 2 years.
Pre-Ph.D. coursework includes Biostatistics, Research Methodology, Title Presentation, and online courses in Health Research Fundamentals and Research & Publication Ethics.
Research scholars have access to KAHER's physical infrastructure, library, toxicology labs, and medico-legal facilities at JNMC.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

JNMC Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) Fees

The Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) program at JNMC falls under the Health Sciences category for fee purposes. Full-time scholars (non-KLE employees) pay a first-year fee of INR 90,000, which includes one-time charges such as Registration (INR 8,000), Orientation Course (INR 8,000), Defense and Viva-Voce (INR 12,000), and Eligibility Fees (INR 2,000), along with annual Tuition Fees of INR 60,000. From the second year onwards, only the annual tuition fee of INR 60,000 is applicable. Part-time external candidates pay INR 59,000 in the first year and INR 35,000 per year subsequently.

Fee Structure

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

From the 2nd year onwards, only tuition fees are payable: INR 60,000/year (Full-Time), INR 35,000/year (Part-Time External), NIL (Part-Time Internal).
Total fees for a 3-year Full-Time program (non-KLE): INR 90,000 (Year 1) + INR 60,000 (Year 2) + INR 60,000 (Year 3) = INR 2,10,000.
Hostel facility is available at JNMC campus; hostel fees are charged separately and are not mandatory.
Scholars receiving financial support from any other agency are not eligible for KAHER scholarship/contingency.

JNMC Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) program at JNMC/KAHER are conducted twice a year (Batch A in January and Batch B in June) through a university-level entrance examination followed by an interview. For the 2026-27 Batch A, the application process has closed and the entrance exam was conducted in January 2026. Candidates who cleared the written test are being called for interviews in February 2026, with final admissions expected to be completed by March 2026. The next Batch B cycle is expected to open in April 2026.

KAHER Ph.D. Admission Dates

Event	Date / Timeline
Issue of Admission Notification	November 2025 (2nd week)
Online Application Form Available	December 2025
Last Date for Online Application Submission	December 2025 (2nd week)
Ph.D. Entrance Examination	January 2026 (1st week)
Declaration of Entrance Exam Result	January 2026 (4th week) / 13 February 2026
Ph.D. Interview	February 2026 (2nd week)
Release of Selection List and Admission Process	February 2026 (4th week)
Joining of Scholars / Batch Commencement	March 2026 (1st week)

Relevant Entrance Exams

Exam	Relevance	Remarks
KAHER Ph.D. Entrance Exam	Mandatory	Conducted by KAHER at JNMC Campus, Belagavi
NET/JRF (if applicable)	May provide exemption	As per UGC guidelines; check with university

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an MD degree in Forensic Medicine (or Forensic Medicine and Toxicology) or a closely related medical specialty from a recognized university.
Minimum 55% aggregate marks in the postgraduate degree (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates as per UGC norms).
Part-Time (Internal) candidates must be faculty members at a constituent unit of KAHER (Belagavi, Hubballi, or Bengaluru campus).

Admission Process

Submit online application form on the KAHER/JNMC website within the stipulated deadline.
Appear for the KAHER Ph.D. Entrance Examination at JNMC Campus, Belagavi.
Candidates who qualify the written test are called for an interview before the Ph.D. Admission Committee.
Final selection is based on combined merit of entrance exam and interview performance.
Selected candidates complete the admission formalities and join in the designated batch start week.
Pre-Ph.D. coursework (Biostatistics, Research Methodology, etc.) commences from the joining week.

JNMC Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) Scholarships 2026

KAHER provides financial assistance to deserving full-time Ph.D. scholars in the form of scholarships and contingency grants. Full-time scholars who are post-MD (Senior Research Fellows) are eligible for a monthly scholarship of INR 40,000, while those without a postgraduate medical degree (Junior Research Fellows) receive INR 20,000 per month. These scholarships are subject to committee approval and are granted for a period of 33 months, contingent on clearing the Pre-Ph.D. examination in the first attempt.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Grant	Eligibility	Amount	Duration
Senior Research Fellow (SRF) Scholarship	Full-time scholars with MD	INR 40,000/month	Up to 33 months
Junior Research Fellow (JRF) Scholarship	Full-time scholars (others)	INR 20,000/month	Up to 33 months
Contingency Grant	All full-time scholars	INR 50,000/year	Up to 2 years

Scholarship is granted only upon recommendation of the competent authority/committee.
Scholars receiving financial support from any other agency (e.g., DST, ICMR, DBT) are not eligible for KAHER scholarship/contingency.
Scholarship is subject to clearance of Pre-Ph.D. examination in the first attempt.
Scholars must not register for any other academic program during the tenure of the Ph.D. course.

JNMC Belagavi Ph.D Forensic Medicine Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#425 out of 527 in India 2026

#53rd in Karnataka

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JNMC Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) FAQs

Q1. What is the minimum qualification required to apply for Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) at JNMC/KAHER?

A1. Candidates must hold an MD degree in Forensic Medicine (or Forensic Medicine and Toxicology) or a closely related medical specialty from a recognized university. A minimum of 55% marks in the postgraduate degree is required (50% for reserved category candidates as per UGC norms).

Q2. What research areas are typically explored in Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) at JNMC?

A2. Research areas include forensic toxicology, medico-legal death investigation, forensic pathology, wound ballistics, sexual assault forensics, forensic odontology, and forensic DNA analysis. Scholars benefit from JNMC's medico-legal case load and toxicology laboratory infrastructure.

Q3. Is the Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) available in part-time mode for practicing forensic medicine specialists?

A3. Yes. Part-Time (External) mode is available for faculty working at other recognized institutions. Practicing forensic medicine specialists outside KAHER can apply as Part-Time External candidates.

Q4. What is the total fee for the Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) program over 3 years for a full-time candidate?

A4. For a full-time non-KLE employee, the first-year fee is INR 90,000 and subsequent years cost INR 60,000/year. The total for a 3-year program is INR 2,10,000.

Q5. What research infrastructure is available for Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) scholars at JNMC?

A5. Scholars have access to the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at JNMC, with toxicology laboratories, medico-legal case material, autopsy facilities, and the KLE Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital. KAHER's library, research labs, and biostatistics support are also available.

Q6. Does JNMC/KAHER offer any financial support to Ph.D. (Forensic Medicine) scholars?

A6. Yes. Full-time scholars who are post-MD are eligible for a Senior Research Fellow (SRF) scholarship of INR 40,000/month for up to 33 months, subject to committee approval. A contingency grant of INR 50,000/year for up to 2 years is also available for all full-time scholars.