Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, part of Saveetha Institute of Medical And Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, is a 1-year full-time fellowship program offered by the Department of Pediatrics. The program is designed for pediatricians and child health specialists seeking advanced training in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of developmental disorders and behavioural conditions in children, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and developmental delays. The total course fee is Rs. 85,000 for the entire 1-year program. SIMATS is ranked 11th nationally in the Medical category by NIRF 2025 and is the highest-ranked private medical college in Chennai, with a high-volume tertiary care hospital providing extensive pediatric clinical exposure.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are currently open. Applications can be submitted online at simatsadmissions.saveetha.com. The tentative last date for applications is April 2026, with the batch expected to commence in July/August 2026. Seats are limited and allotted on a first-come, first-served basis after document verification and interview.

Key Points

The program is open to candidates with MD/DNB Pediatrics or DCH (Diploma in Child Health), making it accessible to both postgraduate degree holders and diploma holders in pediatrics.
Training covers a wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental and behavioural conditions including ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and speech-language delays.
SIMATS Saveetha Medical College and Hospital is a 1,600+ bed tertiary care hospital with a dedicated Pediatrics department providing high-volume clinical exposure in developmental and behavioural pediatrics.
SIMATS is ranked No. 11 in India in the Medical category by NIRF 2025 and is the highest-ranked private medical college in Chennai.
The course fee of Rs. 85,000 for the entire 1-year program makes this one of the most affordable fellowship programs in developmental pediatrics in India.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

SIMATS Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics Fees

The Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics at SIMATS is priced at Rs. 85,000 for the entire 1-year program, making it highly affordable compared to similar fellowship programs at other private institutions. No stipend is provided to fellows. The fee is payable at the time of admission. Hostel accommodation is available separately on campus and is optional.

Course Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Course Fee (Total for 1 Year)	85,000
Total Fees	85,000

Hostel Fees (Optional)

Room Type	Fee Per Year (Rs.)
Non-AC Room (Shared)	22,000 - 1,50,000
AC Room with Attached Bathroom	1,30,000 (approx.)

Hostel fees are not included in the total course fee as hostel is optional.
Course fee is to be paid at the time of admission.
No EMI or instalment facility has been officially announced; candidates are advised to confirm with the admissions office.
No stipend is provided for this fellowship program.
Candidates should confirm if any additional administrative or registration fees apply at the time of admission.

SIMATS Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics Admission 2026-27

Admissions to the Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics at SIMATS are merit-based and conducted directly by the institution. There is no mandatory national-level entrance exam for this fellowship. Candidates are shortlisted based on their postgraduate qualification and academic record, and called for document verification and a personal interview. Seats are limited and allotted on a rolling basis. The 2026-27 admissions are currently open.

College-Specific Admission Dates (2026-27)

Event	Tentative Date
Application Portal Opens	March 2026 (Open Now)
Last Date to Apply	April 2026 (Tentative)
Document Verification / Interview	May - June 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	July - August 2026 (Tentative)

Note: No specific national entrance exam is required for this fellowship. The above dates are tentative based on previous year patterns. Candidates should check the official website (saveetha.com / smc.saveetha.com) for confirmed dates.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an MD/DNB in Pediatrics or a DCH (Diploma in Child Health) from a recognised institution.
Candidates must possess a valid permanent or provisional registration certificate issued by the Medical Council of India (MCI) / NMC or State Medical Council.
Prior clinical experience in pediatrics is preferred.

Admission Process

Visit the official admissions portal: simatsadmissions.saveetha.com and fill in the online application form.
Upload required documents: MD/DNB/DCH degree/provisional certificate, mark sheets, MCI/NMC registration certificate, ID proof, and passport-size photographs.
Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification and a personal interview at the Saveetha Medical College campus, Thandalam, Chennai.
Seat allotment is done on merit and availability; offer letter is issued after successful verification.
Pay the course fee to confirm the seat.
Report to the college on the batch commencement date with original documents.

SIMATS Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics Scholarships 2026-27

SIMATS offers a structured scholarship policy to support meritorious and economically weaker students. Fellowship students may be eligible for merit-based tuition fee waivers based on their academic performance during the program. The university's scholarship committee reviews applications annually, and the decision of the selection panel is final.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / Scheme	Eligibility	Benefit
Merit Scholarship - 1st Rank	1st position in university exam	40% tuition fee waiver
Merit Scholarship - 2nd Rank	2nd position in university exam	30% tuition fee waiver
Merit Scholarship - 3rd Rank	3rd position in university exam	20% tuition fee waiver
Merit Scholarship - 4th Rank	4th position in university exam	15% tuition fee waiver
Merit Scholarship - 5th Rank	5th position in university exam	10% tuition fee waiver
SIMATS Freeship (Need-Based)	Economically weaker students with strong academic record	Full/partial tuition fee waiver (at discretion of committee)
Research / Innovation Scholarship	Patent filing, publications, competition winners	Variable; as per university policy

Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the SIMATS Scholarship Selection Committee.
Given the already low course fee of Rs. 85,000, scholarship applicability for this fellowship should be confirmed directly with the SIMATS admissions office.
Applications for need-based scholarships must be submitted with supporting income/financial documents at the time of admission.
External government scholarships (e.g., state government scholarships for SC/ST/OBC) may also be applicable; candidates should check with the respective state scholarship portals.

SIMATS Chennai Fellowship Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#18 out of 632 in India 2025

#1st in Chennai

#2 in Tamil Nadu

NIRF Ranking

#11 out of 50 in India 2025

#1st in Chennai

#3 in Tamil Nadu

IIRF Ranking

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

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SIMATS Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics FAQs

Ques. Is a DCH (Diploma in Child Health) sufficient to apply, or is an MD/DNB in Pediatrics mandatory?

Ans. Both DCH holders and MD/DNB Pediatrics graduates are eligible to apply for the Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics at SIMATS. This makes the program accessible to a wider pool of pediatric practitioners, including those who have completed a diploma rather than a full postgraduate degree.

Ques. What specific conditions and disorders are covered in this fellowship?

Ans. The fellowship covers a comprehensive range of neurodevelopmental and behavioural conditions including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia), cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, global developmental delay, speech and language disorders, sensory processing disorders, and behavioural problems in children. Training includes standardised developmental assessments, behavioural intervention strategies, and multidisciplinary team management.

Ques. Is there any stipend provided during this fellowship at SIMATS?

Ans. No, the Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics does not offer a stipend. Fellows are required to pay the course fee of Rs. 85,000. This is a fee-paying clinical training program.

Ques. Is the Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC)?

Ans. This is an institutional fellowship offered by SIMATS, a NAAC A++ accredited deemed university. Fellowship programs in India are generally not regulated by NMC in the same way as MD/MS degrees. Candidates should verify the recognition status directly with SIMATS and confirm whether the certificate is accepted by their target employer or state medical council before enrolling.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing this fellowship?

Ans. After completing the fellowship, pediatricians can set up a dedicated developmental pediatrics clinic, work as developmental pediatrics consultants in multi-specialty hospitals, or collaborate with child psychologists, speech therapists, and special educators in early intervention centres. Developmental and behavioural pediatrics is a rapidly growing subspecialty in India, driven by increasing awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions and early intervention programs. Fellows can also pursue further international certifications such as the Fellowship of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (FIAP) in Developmental Pediatrics.

Ques. How is this fellowship different from the DM Neonatology or other pediatric super-specialty programs?

Ans. DM Neonatology is a 3-year NMC-recognised super-specialty degree focused on the care of newborns and premature infants. The Fellowship in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics is a 1-year focused training program specifically in the assessment and management of developmental and behavioural disorders in children beyond the neonatal period. It is not a replacement for DM but a subspecialty add-on for pediatricians who want to develop expertise in neurodevelopmental conditions.