Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Government Kilpauk Medical College (GKMC), Chennai, is one of Tamil Nadu's most prestigious government medical institutions, established in 1960 and affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. The Bachelor of Science in Optometry (B.Sc. Optometry / B.Optom) is a 3-year full-time undergraduate programme offered at GKMC, designed to train students in the science of vision care, eye examination, diagnosis of refractive errors, prescription of corrective lenses, and detection of ocular diseases. The programme covers subjects such as Geometrical Optics, Visual Optics, Ocular Anatomy, Clinical Optometry, Contact Lens Practice, and Low Vision Aids, with strong emphasis on clinical training in the attached Kilpauk Medical College Hospital's Ophthalmology Department. GKMC has 10 B.Sc. Optometry seats allotted every year since 2023 (as per the official GKMC Ophthalmology Department page). Admission is purely merit-based through the Tamil Nadu Paramedical Degree Counselling conducted by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Tamil Nadu, with no entrance exam required. The total fees are highly subsidised at Rs. 3,000 per year tuition (as per TN DME norms for all government college paramedical degree courses). The B.Sc. Optometry at GKMC is highly sought after due to the college's strong ophthalmology department, high patient load, experienced faculty, and the growing demand for qualified optometrists in India.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session have been completed through Tamil Nadu Paramedical Degree Counselling. For the 2027-28 session, applications are expected to open tentatively in July-August 2027, based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates are advised to monitor the official websites tnmedicalselection.net and tnhealth.tn.gov.in for updates.

Key Points

GKMC offers 10 B.Sc. Optometry seats per year (allotted since 2023), making it one of the few government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu offering this programme.
The programme is affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and is recognised by the Optometry Council of India (OCI).
Students gain hands-on clinical training in the Ophthalmology Department of Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, which handles over 3,500 OPD patients per month and performs 64+ major eye surgeries per month.
SC/ST candidates are fully exempted from paying tuition fees as per Tamil Nadu government norms.
The college is centrally located in Chennai, near Kilpauk Metro Station, making it easily accessible.
Admission is purely merit-based on Class 12 marks (PCB), with no entrance exam required.
After completing B.Sc. Optometry, graduates can register with the Optometry Council of India and practice as licensed optometrists.

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FAQs

GKMC B.Sc. Optometry Fees

The B.Sc. Optometry programme at GKMC is offered at highly subsidised government rates. As per Tamil Nadu DME norms, the tuition fee for all paramedical degree courses in government colleges is Rs. 3,000 per year. In addition to tuition, students pay a one-time registration fee, caution money deposit, library fee, and university registration fee at the time of joining. The total all-inclusive fee for the 3-year B.Sc. Optometry programme at GKMC is approximately Rs. 27,750, making it one of the most affordable optometry programmes in India.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fees (3 Years at Rs. 3,000/year)	9,000
University Registration Fees (One Time)	5,750
Caution Money Deposit (Refundable)	2,000
Library Fees (3 Years)	3,000
Special / Miscellaneous Fees (One Time)	500
Sports Fee (One Time)	100
Exam Fees (Per Year, Approx.)	7,400
Total Fees	27,750

Caution Money Deposit of Rs. 2,000 is fully refundable at the time of course completion, subject to no dues.
SC/ST candidates are fully exempted from paying tuition fees as per Tamil Nadu government policy.
Hostel facility is available at GKMC at nominal charges (not mandatory): Single Room - Rs. 40/month, Double Room - Rs. 25/month.
Exam fees are charged separately at the time of university examinations as per TNMGRMU norms.
No EMI or instalment options are typically required given the very low fee structure.

GKMC B.Sc. Optometry Admission 2026

Admissions to the B.Sc. Optometry programme at GKMC are conducted through the Tamil Nadu Paramedical Degree Counselling, managed by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Tamil Nadu. There is no entrance examination; selection is purely based on Class 12 marks (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), normalised to a score out of 200. The 2026-27 admissions were completed through counselling rounds conducted between July and October 2026. For the 2027-28 session, the process is expected to follow a similar timeline, with applications opening in July-August 2027.

GKMC B.Sc. Optometry Admission Schedule

Event	Tentative Date (2027-28)
Notification / Prospectus Release	July 2027
Online Application Start	July 2027
Last Date to Submit Application	August 2027
Merit / Rank List Publication	August 2027
Round 1 Counselling / Choice Filling	August - September 2027
Round 1 Seat Allotment	September 2027
Round 2 Counselling	October 2027
Stray Vacancy Round	November 2027
College Reporting / Joining	September - November 2027

Note: No separate entrance exam is required. Admission is based on Class 12 merit. Candidates must check tnmedicalselection.net for official notifications.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects from a recognised board.
Minimum aggregate of 50% marks in PCB at Class 12 level (45% for reserved category candidates).
Candidates must be at least 17 years of age as of December 31 of the admission year.
Candidates must be Tamil Nadu natives or must have studied Classes 10 and 12 in Tamil Nadu (as per DME Tamil Nadu norms).

Admission Process

Register online on the official DME Tamil Nadu portal (tnmedicalselection.net).
Fill in the application form with personal, academic, and community details.
Upload required documents: Class 10 and 12 marksheets, transfer certificate, nativity certificate, community certificate (if applicable), passport-size photograph, and signature.
Pay the application fee online (Rs. 400 for General category; Rs. 200 for reserved categories).
A merit rank list is prepared based on normalised Class 12 marks (out of 200).
Participate in online counselling: fill in college and course preferences, lock choices.
Seat allotment is done based on merit rank, category, and preferences.
Download allotment order and report to GKMC with original documents and fee payment.

GKMC B.Sc. Optometry Scholarships 2026

GKMC students pursuing B.Sc. Optometry can avail of several government-funded scholarships, primarily through the Tamil Nadu state government and central government schemes. The college itself does not offer direct scholarships, but students can access financial aid through the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Department and the National Scholarship Portal. These scholarships are particularly beneficial for students from SC, ST, BC, MBC, and economically weaker sections, and can significantly offset the already low fee structure at GKMC.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount (Approx.)
Tamil Nadu Government Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST/BC/MBC/EWS students	Rs. 10,000 per year
Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Welfare Scholarship	Adi Dravidar (SC/SCA) students	Up to Rs. 8,000 per year (hostel)
First Generation Graduate Scholarship	First graduate in the family	Rs. 6,000 per year
Central Government Post-Matric Scholarship (NSP)	SC/ST/OBC students (income-based)	Varies (covers tuition + maintenance)
Merit-Based State Scholarship	Top-ranking students	Variable

To avail the Tamil Nadu Government Scholarship, students must submit a Bonafide Certificate signed by the Dean of GKMC to the District Collector's office.
The scholarship amount is credited directly to the student's bank account.
SC/ST students are additionally exempted from tuition fees, making the effective cost of education near zero for these categories.
Applications for most scholarships must be submitted at the beginning of each academic year through the respective government portals.
Education loans are available from public and private sector banks for students who require additional financial support.

GKMC B.Sc. Optometry FAQs

Ques. How many seats are available for B.Sc. Optometry at GKMC, and when was the programme started?

Ans. GKMC has 10 B.Sc. Optometry seats allotted every year since 2023, as confirmed on the official GKMC Ophthalmology Department page. The programme is relatively new at GKMC but benefits from the college's well-established Ophthalmology Department, which handles over 3,500 OPD patients per month.

Ques. Is there an entrance exam for B.Sc. Optometry admission at GKMC Chennai?

Ans. No, there is no entrance exam for B.Sc. Optometry admission at GKMC or any government college in Tamil Nadu. Admission is purely based on Class 12 marks (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), which are normalised to a score out of 200. The Tamil Nadu DME conducts a centralised merit-based counselling process through tnmedicalselection.net.

Ques. What is the total fee for B.Sc. Optometry at GKMC, and are there any hidden charges?

Ans. The total fee for the 3-year B.Sc. Optometry programme at GKMC is approximately Rs. 27,750, which includes tuition fees (Rs. 9,000 for 3 years at Rs. 3,000/year), university registration, library, caution deposit, and miscellaneous charges. SC/ST students are exempt from tuition fees. Exam fees are charged separately. The caution deposit of Rs. 2,000 is fully refundable. There are no hidden charges.

Ques. What career options are available after completing B.Sc. Optometry from GKMC?

Ans. After completing B.Sc. Optometry from GKMC, graduates can register with the Optometry Council of India (OCI) and practice as licensed optometrists in hospitals, eye clinics, optical retail chains, and vision care centres. They can also pursue postgraduate studies such as M.Sc. Optometry or M.Optom. Government job opportunities are available through TNPSC and other state health department recruitments. The growing demand for vision care professionals in India makes this a promising career path.

Ques. Is the B.Sc. Optometry from GKMC recognised by the Optometry Council of India?

Ans. Yes, the B.Sc. Optometry programme at GKMC is affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and is recognised by the Optometry Council of India (OCI). Graduates are eligible to register with OCI and practice as licensed optometrists across India.

Ques. When does the 2027-28 B.Sc. Optometry admission process start at GKMC?

Ans. Based on the 2026-27 pattern, the application process for 2027-28 is expected to begin in July-August 2027. Candidates must register online on the official DME Tamil Nadu portal at tnmedicalselection.net, fill in the application form, upload documents, and pay the application fee. After the merit list is published, candidates participate in online counselling rounds to select their preferred college and course. It is advisable to regularly check tnmedicalselection.net and tnhealth.tn.gov.in for official notifications.