Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The MS (Ophthalmology) programme at Government Kilpauk Medical College (GKMC), Chennai is a 3-year postgraduate surgical degree that trains specialists in the diagnosis and surgical management of eye diseases including cataract, glaucoma, retinal disorders, corneal diseases, squint, and oculoplasty. GKMC, established in 1960 and affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, is one of Tamil Nadu's most reputed government medical institutions with a 1,700-bed hospital and a dedicated ophthalmology department providing extensive surgical exposure. The annual tuition fee for the MS programme is approximately Rs. 20,000 per year. The course has a seat intake of 6 seats and admission is entirely through NEET PG scores. The programme is offered in full-time, on-campus mode and is highly sought after given the growing demand for ophthalmologists in India.

Admissions for the 2026 batch are upcoming. NEET PG 2026 registration is tentatively scheduled to open in April 2026, with the exam expected in June 2026. State quota counselling for Tamil Nadu is expected to commence after NEET PG 2026 results, tentatively around August-September 2026. The NEET PG 2025 counselling cycle (for the 2025-26 batch) has been completed, with the stray vacancy round concluded in February 2026.

Key Points

MS Ophthalmology at GKMC provides comprehensive surgical training including cataract surgery (phacoemulsification), glaucoma surgery, vitreoretinal procedures, corneal transplants, and oculoplasty.
GKMC's dedicated ophthalmology department and high patient volume ensure excellent surgical training.
All PG residents receive a monthly stipend ranging from Rs. 52,451 (1st year) to Rs. 54,636 (3rd year).
A mandatory 2-year government service bond is applicable post-completion, with a penalty of Rs. 40 lakhs for non-compliance.
50% of seats are filled through All India Quota (AIQ) via MCC counselling, and 50% through Tamil Nadu State Quota counselling.
SC/ST candidates are exempted from paying tuition fees.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Cutoff
Ranking
FAQs

Government Kilpauk Medical College Chennai Latest Updates and News

23 Jan, 2026 NEET PG 2026 Exam date has been announced. NBEMS will conduct the NEET PG 2026 Exam on August 30, 2026. Read Full News.

GKMC MS Ophthalmology Fees

The MS (Ophthalmology) programme at GKMC, Chennai is offered at a very nominal fee structure as it is a government institution. The total tuition fee for the entire 3-year programme is approximately Rs. 60,000 (Rs. 20,000 per year). Additional one-time charges include registration, library, and miscellaneous fees payable at the time of admission. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at approximately Rs. 5,000 per month, though it is not mandatory.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee (per year)	Rs. 20,000
Special Fee (per year)	Rs. 500
Caution Money Deposit (one-time)	Rs. 2,000
Library Fee (one-time)	Rs. 1,600
University Registration Fee (one-time)	Rs. 6,450
Miscellaneous Fee (one-time)	Rs. 700
Sports Fee (one-time)	Rs. 100
Exam Fee (per year)	Rs. 1,500
Total Fees (3 years, all components)	Rs. 75,950

SC/ST candidates are exempted from paying tuition fees.
Hostel fee is approximately Rs. 5,000 per month and is not mandatory (optional accommodation).
Caution money deposit is refundable at the time of leaving the institution.
Seat leaving penalty: Rs. 15 lakhs + stipend received (if a candidate leaves mid-course).

GKMC MS Ophthalmology Admission 2026

Admission to MS (Ophthalmology) at GKMC Chennai is based on NEET PG scores. 50% of seats are filled through All India Quota (AIQ) via MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) and the remaining 50% through Tamil Nadu State Quota counselling conducted by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Tamil Nadu. The NEET PG 2025 counselling cycle has been completed. For the 2026 batch, NEET PG 2026 is tentatively scheduled for June 2026, followed by counselling from August-September 2026 onwards.

GKMC Admission Events

Event	Date / Status
NEET PG 2025 Exam	August 3, 2025
NEET PG 2025 Result	September 2025
MCC AIQ Round 1 Registration	October 2025
MCC AIQ Round 1 Seat Allotment	November 2025
MCC AIQ Round 2	December 2025
MCC AIQ Round 3	January 2026
MCC Stray Vacancy Round	February 2026 (Completed)
TN State Quota Counselling	November - December 2025 (Completed)
Batch Commencement	March 2026 (approx.)

NEET PG 2026 Key Dates

Event	Tentative Date
NEET PG 2026 Registration Opens	April 7, 2026
NEET PG 2026 Registration Closes	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
AIQ Counselling (Tentative)	August - September 2026
TN State Quota Counselling (Tentative)	August - October 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an MBBS degree recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
Completion of compulsory rotating internship (CRRI) is mandatory before joining.
A valid NEET PG score/rank is required; candidates must qualify the NEET PG examination conducted by NBE.

Admission Process

Appear in NEET PG examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE).
Register for MCC counselling (for AIQ 50% seats) at mcc.nic.in or Tamil Nadu State Quota counselling at the DME Tamil Nadu portal.
Pay the counselling registration fee and fill in college/course preferences.
Seat allotment is done based on NEET PG rank, category, and preference order.
Report to GKMC Chennai with all original documents within the stipulated joining date.
Pay the admission fees and complete the bond formalities at the time of joining.

GKMC MS Ophthalmology Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to MS (Ophthalmology) at GKMC Chennai benefit primarily from the government stipend, which effectively offsets the cost of education and living. Additionally, students from reserved categories (SC/ST) are exempted from tuition fees. Various state and central government scholarship schemes are also available for eligible candidates.

Scholarship Benefits

Scholarship / Financial Benefit	Amount	Eligibility
PG Resident Monthly Stipend - 1st Year	Rs. 52,451/month	All PG residents
PG Resident Monthly Stipend - 2nd Year	Rs. 53,544/month	All PG residents
PG Resident Monthly Stipend - 3rd Year	Rs. 54,636/month	All PG residents
SC/ST Tuition Fee Exemption	Rs. 20,000/year (waiver)	SC/ST category students
Post-Matric Scholarship (Tamil Nadu Government)	Variable	SC/ST students based on income
National Scholarship Portal Schemes	Variable	Based on category and income

The monthly stipend is the most significant financial benefit and is provided to all PG residents irrespective of category.
SC/ST candidates must submit valid community certificates at the time of admission to avail fee exemption.
Post-matric and other government scholarships can be applied for through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Application deadlines for government scholarships are typically between July and October each year.

Government Kilpauk Medical College Chennai M.S Ophthalmology Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#70 out of 632 in India 2025

#6th in Chennai

#7 in Tamil Nadu

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GKMC MS Ophthalmology FAQs

Ques. What is the AIQ closing rank for MS Ophthalmology at GKMC Chennai?

Ans. In the AIQ 2023 counselling, the closing rank for MS Ophthalmology at GKMC Chennai was around 14,017 for the General category. In the Tamil Nadu State Quota, the MBC Open closing rank was around 19,412 in 2022. The specialisation is moderately competitive.

Ques. What surgical procedures do MS Ophthalmology residents learn at GKMC Chennai?

Ans. MS Ophthalmology residents at GKMC get training in phacoemulsification (cataract surgery), trabeculectomy (glaucoma surgery), vitreoretinal surgeries, corneal transplantation (DALK, DSEK), squint correction, oculoplasty procedures, and laser treatments. The high patient volume ensures comprehensive surgical training.

Ques. Is there a bond service obligation after completing MS Ophthalmology from GKMC Chennai?

Ans. Yes. All PG students at GKMC Chennai are required to serve a mandatory 2-year government service bond after completing their degree. The penalty for non-compliance is Rs. 40 lakhs. If a candidate leaves mid-course, a penalty of Rs. 15 lakhs plus the stipend received is applicable.

Ques. Do MS Ophthalmology students at GKMC receive a stipend?

Ans. Yes, all PG residents receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 52,451 in the 1st year, Rs. 53,544 in the 2nd year, and Rs. 54,636 in the 3rd year.

Ques. What are the career prospects after MS Ophthalmology from GKMC Chennai?

Ans. MS Ophthalmology graduates can work as ophthalmologists in government hospitals, private hospitals, and eye care chains. There is also scope in academic medicine, vitreoretinal surgery, corneal transplantation, and paediatric ophthalmology. The demand for ophthalmologists is growing due to increasing prevalence of diabetes-related eye diseases and cataract.

Ques. Can candidates from outside Tamil Nadu apply for MS Ophthalmology at GKMC Chennai?

Ans. Yes. 50% of seats are under the All India Quota (AIQ) open to candidates from across India via MCC counselling. The remaining 50% are under the Tamil Nadu State Quota reserved for TN domicile candidates.