Established in 1980, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences(KIMS) is a reputed private medical college located in Bangalore, Karnataka. KIMS was founded by the Vokkaligara Sangha, which decided in 1979 to start a medical college, and from the academic year 1980-81 it began operations.
KIMS is affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Karnataka, and is recognized by the Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission) for its undergraduate (MBBS), postgraduate (MD / MS), and diploma medical courses. It is the one of the Top Medical Colleges In Karnataka
The college operates across multiple campuses: the pre-clinical and para-clinical departments are located at Banashankari 2nd Stage (near BDA Complex), while the clinical departments and hospital facilities are at the KIMS Hospital & Research Centre, K.R. Road, Visveswarapuram, about 4 km from the main campus. The hospital is large, with over 1000 beds, allowing broad clinical exposure.
Facilities at KIMS College Bangalore
- Hostels Separate boys’ and girls’ hostels on the Banashankari campus. ≈ 200 students capacity each. Rooms accommodate 2-3 students per room. Vegetarian & non-vegetarian food in the mess. Security, wardens, student welfare officers in place.
- Academic Blocks / Classrooms / Lecture Halls Pre-clinical & para-clinical departments are at the Banashankari II Stage campus; clinical departments & hospital are in VV Puram / KR Road. Spacious lecture halls, audio-visual aids used. Seminar rooms and well-ventilated classrooms.
- Laboratories Well-equipped labs for anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, etc. Each department has its own practical facility.
- Library Central library plus hospital library. Large collection (~21,500 medical books + thousands of volumes), subscriptions to many national & international journals. Digital library & departmental reading rooms. Open long hours.
- Hospital & Clinical Exposure A teaching hospital attached. Multi-specialty, many departments, OPD/IPD, emergency services etc. Big number of beds.
- Sports & Gym Health club with gym (multi-stations), treadmills, steppers, and instructor. Indoor games: table tennis, chess, carrom, etc. There are plans / existing facilities for outdoor sports: basketball, volleyball, synthetic tennis courts, etc.
- Cafeteria / Food Facilities Multiple cafeterias / canteens including hospital canteen “Sri Nidhi Sagar”. Campus canteen(s) serve hygienic food at reasonable rates.
- Transport Buses & vans (≈ 5 buses + 1 mini-bus + 2 vans) to shuttle students between the Banashankari campus, hospital, and training centres.
- Bank / ATM There is a branch of Punjab National Bank on campus. There are ATMs of several banks around or within the premises.
- Co-operative Society KIMS has a co-op society (since ~1981) to provide books, stationery etc. to students/faculty at concessional rates.
- Auditorium / Seminars Auditorium available for seminars, guest lectures, college events etc. Seating capacity varies (~800+ or more).
Academic Structure & Recognition
KIMS offers both undergraduate and postgraduate medical programmes. The undergraduate MBBS course is of standard 4.5 years academic study (divided into phases) plus 1 year of compulsory rotating internship.
The postgraduate degree programmes (MD/MS) are of 3 years duration. PG diploma courses are also offered, which are generally 2 years.
All courses are recognized by the appropriate regulatory authorities (MCI/NMC). Clinical training is conducted through their own hospital and also in affiliated institutions, giving students exposure to a wide range of cases.
Postgraduate Courses: Specializations & Seats
KIMS offers a wide variety of postgraduate MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery) specializations. Here is a summary of the PG courses and seat availability (approximate, as per recent data) along with some diploma programs.
| Broad Discipline | PG Specializations (MD / MS) | Typical Seat Count |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-clinical / Basic Sciences | MD Anatomy | ~5 seats |
| MD Physiology | ~2 seats | |
| MD Biochemistry | ~2 seats | |
| Para-clinical | MD Pharmacology | ~5-6 seats |
| MD Pathology | ~10 seats | |
| MD Microbiology | ~4 seats | |
| MD Forensic Medicine / Forensic Medicine & Toxicology | ~4 seats | |
| MD Community / Social & Preventive Medicine | ~6 seats | |
| Clinical (Non-surgical / Medical Specialties) | MD General Medicine | ~16-20 seats |
| MD Paediatrics | ~9 seats | |
| MD Anaesthesiology | ~8 seats | |
| MD Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy | ~5 seats | |
| MD Radiodiagnosis / Radio Diagnosis | ~6 seats | |
| MD Psychiatry | ~2 seats | |
| MD Respiratory Medicine / Pulmonary Medicine | ~2 seats | |
| MD Emergency Medicine | ~2-5 seats | |
| Surgical / Procedural / Operative-MS General Surgery | ~10-20 seats | |
| MS Obstetrics & Gynaecology | ~7 seats | |
| MS Ophthalmology | ~4-6 seats | |
| MS ENT (Ear Nose Throat) | ~3-5 seats | |
| MS Orthopaedics | ~6-17 seats depending on source | |
Additionally, KIMS offers PG Diploma programmes in certain clinical fields, such as:
- D.A. (Anaesthesiology)
- D.C.P. (Pathology)
- D.C.H. (Paediatrics)
- D.G.O. (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
- D.O.M.S. (Ophthalmology)
- D.Ortho (Diploma in Orthopaedics)
- D.L.O. (Diploma in ENT)
- D.M.R.D. (Dip in Medical Radio Diagnosis)
The total number of PG degree (MD/MS) seats is approximately ≈ 111 seats across all specializations in recent years.
Eligibility & Admission Process
Here are the usual eligibility criteria and process for admission into PG (MD / MS / Diploma) at KIMS:
1. Educational Qualification: Candidate must have passed the MBBS degree from a recognized medical college, affiliated to a university recognized by the NMC.
2. Internship: Completion of the one-year compulsory rotating internship in a recognized institution.
3. Registration: MBBS degree must be registered with the respective State Medical Council.
4. Entrance Examination: Admission to PG seats is based on NEET-PG scores. Candidates need to qualify NEET-PG. Afterwards, counselling is conducted through Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) for state quota seats.
Percentages may vary; for example, in many cases ~40% seats are government quota, ~40% private, ~15% NRI, ~5% institutional preference.
6. Fee and Category Differences: Students under different quotas may have significantly different tuition fees. There are also differences in eligibility or reserved seats for categories (SC/ST/OBC) as per government rules.
7. Other Requirements: Some years have bond obligations or service criteria (especially for government quota seats). While the specific bond for PG may differ, there may be required service in government or rural hospitals after completing PG for some seats.
Clinical Exposure, Departments & Facilities
An important part of PG training is clinical exposure, and in this aspect KIMS offers good infrastructure and variety in patient load and departmental support.
Hospital Capacity: Over 1000 beds, multiple hospital clinics attached.
Clinical Departments: General Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery (General, Orthopaedics), Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Radiodiagnosis, Psychiatry, Respiratory Medicine etc.
Para-clinical & Basic Science Departments: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine. These departments engage both in teaching (UG / PG) and in research.
Affiliated Institutions and Additional Clinical Exposure: Students may get postings or collaborative exposure in affiliated institutes (for example, those specializing in oncology, mental health, etc.) to broaden their clinical experience.
Academic Facilities: Laboratories, lecture halls, seminar / conference halls, library, and research infrastructure are in place. Given the long standing foundation of the college (since 1980), many departments are well-established.
Fee Structure & Financial Considerations
Fees for PG courses vary based on the seat category (government / private / NRI / management). Some approximate fee data that have been reported:
- For preclinical or para-clinical subjects (like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry), Government quota fees are on the lower side (e.g. ~₹70,000-₹1,10,000 per year).
- For clinical or high demand specialties (like Pathology, Radiodiagnosis, etc.), private and NRI quota fees can be significantly higher. For example, in certain subjects fees in private/NRI seats run into lakhs.
- The detailed breakdown (government / private / NRI) per specialization changes each year, and students are advised to check the latest fee schedule from the college official site or KEA counselling documentation.
Some seats under management or institutional categories may have different fee structures.
—
Advantages & Strengths
Here are some of the key strengths of KIMS, especially for postgraduate students:
1. Broad Specialization Choices: With ~20+ MD / MS specializations plus PG diplomas, students have many career paths to choose. This allows both clinical and non-clinical leaning students to find appropriate PG branches.
2. Clinical Exposure: Large hospital with considerable patient inflow ensures that PG students get hands-on learning, exposure to varied cases, emergencies, rare diseases, etc. Such exposure is vital for both competence and confidence.
3. Established Basic Sciences / Para-clinical Departments: For those pursuing MDs in the preclinical / para-clinical side (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, etc.), the college offers a good setup with senior faculty, labs, research exposure.
4. Affiliations & Recognitions: Being under RGUHS and recognized by national authorities ensures the PG degree has legitimacy across India. For those planning further fellowships, academic posts, or competitive exams, this matters.
5. Infrastructure: The availability of hospital facilities, support departments, laboratories, and academic infrastructure helps. Also, being located in Bangalore gives access to other associated medical institutes, labs, conferences, and professional networks.
6. Fee Options & Quotas: Variety of seat quotas (state, private, NRI) gives some flexibility; for students from Karnataka there is a better chance under state quota at relatively more affordable fee.
Challenges & Considerations
Like any medical college, there are certain things prospective PG students should consider:
- Competition: High demand for PG seats, especially in clinical subjects. Good NEET-PG score is essential.
- Fee Disparity: Difference between government quota and private / NRI seats is large. Financial planning is critical if opting for non-government seats.
- Bond / Service Requirements: Some PG seats may come with mandatory service obligations (government or rural service), or bonds. One must read and understand the terms before admission.
- Seat Variation Year to Year: Number of seats in each specialization may change (increase or decrease) depending on permissions from regulatory authorities, demand, staffing, and infrastructure. Always verify current notified seat matrix before applying.
- Workload & Stress: PG medical studies are demanding; long hours, clinical responsibilities, academic deadlines. Students should be mentally and physically prepared.
Admission Tips & Strategy
For candidates considering PG at KIMS, here are some practical recommendations:
1. NEET-PG Preparation: Since admission is based on NEET-PG, strong, consistent preparation is essential. Understanding scoring, ranking, cutoff trends is helpful.
2. Review Seat Matrix and Cutoffs: Monitor past years’ PG seat allotment, cutoff ranks/scores for specializations you’re interested in. This gives realistic insight into which branches are achievable.
3. Choose Branches Wisely: Non-clinical / para-clinical branches often have lower competition but may have different career path implications (academics, teaching vs clinical work). Decide based on your interest and future goals.
4. Financial Planning: If private/NRI seats are considered, arrange finances (tuition, hostel, living costs) in advance. Check for scholarship and loan options.
5. Visit Campus / Departments: If possible, talk to current PG students or faculty, check labs & hospital departments. The practical exposure and faculty quality make a big difference beyond mere course listing.
6. Understand Bond / Service Obligations: If you accept a government quota or subsidized seat, be sure to understand post-PG obligations (service or rural bond) to avoid surprises.
7. Stay Updated: Regulatory changes (by NMC or state authorities) can impact seat numbers, eligibility, fee regulations etc. Regularly check KIMS website and KEA announcements.
Recent Trends & Data
Some of the more recent data (as of 2023-2024 / 2024-25) are:
KIMS has about 111 PG degree seats across ~20-28 specializations. Intake per specialization in clinical branches (Medicine, Anaesthesiology, Surgery etc.) ranges from ~5 to ~20 seats in many. For certain high demand subjects like General Medicine, Anaesthesiology, Radiodiagnosis, the seats are more in private and state quotas. Fees under government quota for para-clinical subjects are relatively affordable (tens of thousands per year), but private / NRI seats are much more expensive.
KIMS is particularly suitable for:
Students from Karnataka desiring PG education with relatively accessible institutions. Candidates who want a wide selection of specialties, both clinical and non-clinical, within a well-established college. Those ready to balance clinical exposure and academic rigor, and who wish to be in an urban environment (Bangalore offers many advantages: hospital network, research opportunities, conferences).
Students who may prefer state quota seats to lower fee burden. It may be less ideal for those looking for ultra-speciality fellowships (super-speciality) immediately after PG (unless they plan to shift elsewhere), or who want institutions with very high research output (though KIMS has strengths, but might not be at very top in research metrics compared to some premier institutes).
What to Expect as a PG Student at KIMS
As a PG student, here are some facets of life & training you can anticipate:
Daily Routine & Clinical Duties: Wide range of patient case load, emergency duties, supervision under senior faculty. Departments like Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics will have OPD, ward work, inpatient admissions, rounds, possibly night duties.
Academic Work: Regular lectures, seminars, journal club, case presentations, departmental meetings. For non-clinical branches, recitation of theory, lab work, histology / experiments / pathology slides etc.
Research Dissertation: Each PG student is required to undertake a thesis or dissertation project, under guidance. This may involve clinical/epidemiological or laboratory-based work depending on the specialty.
Examinations: Internal assessments, university exams as per RGUHS regulations, periodic practical & theory, viva, etc.
Peer & Faculty Interaction: Close mentorship, faculty guidance is important. Senior residents & associates will play key role.
Work-Life Balance Challenges: Because of clinical demands, there may be periods of heavy load. Good planning, time-management, and support systems (friends/family/peers) help.
Future Prospects
Completing a PG degree from KIMS opens up several paths:
1. Clinical Practice: As a specialist in hospitals, private clinics, government hospitals etc.
2. Academics / Teaching: Non-clinical & clinical faculty positions in medical colleges.
3.Research: With dissertation experience and exposure, possibility to pursue further research, or enrol in MD/PhD / fellowships.1
4.Super-specialization: If desired, move to super-specialty (DM / MCh) after PG (may need to transfer to other institutions).
5.Public Health / Administration: Branches like Community Medicine, Social & Preventive Medicine can lead to roles in public health administration or health policy.
Department of General Medicine at KIMS
To give a concrete example: the Department of General Medicine is one of the core departments. It has been teaching UG students since early years and PG since ~1991. It has a large faculty team: several Professors, Associates, Assistant Professors, Senior Residents.
Number of PG seats in General Medicine is about 10–20 as per recent data. Patient load is significant: hundreds of OPD daily, admissions per day so exposure to varied disease spectrum. During COVID-19, it handled large numbers of pneumonia/COVID cases. This is indicative of what PG training in clinical branches in KIMS will look like.
Summary
Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences is a well-established medical college in Bangalore with comprehensive PG offerings. If you are considering doing PG here, you will benefit from: Recognized degrees (MD / MS) in many specializations. Good clinical infrastructure and case load. Affordability under state quota. Urban location with access to professional growth.
At the same time, you should be clear about the competitiveness, financial cost for non-government seats, service obligations, and ensure the specialty you pick aligns with your long-term goals.