St John's Medical College Bangalore DM Neonatology: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. DM Neonatology is exclusively open to candidates with MD or DNB in Paediatrics as per NBEMS NEET SS eligibility norms. MD General Medicine candidates are not eligible for DM Neonatology. This is because Neonatology is a sub-specialty of Paediatrics, and the feeder qualification is strictly restricted to Paediatrics. Candidates with MD Paediatrics must appear in the Paediatrics Group question paper of NEET SS to be eligible for DM Neonatology. This is confirmed in the NEET SS 2024 and 2025 Information Bulletins published by NBEMS.

Ans. As per the 2025-26 Super Specialty Admission Bulletin of St. John's Medical College, all candidates admitted to DM/MCh courses are required to execute a 2-year bond to serve at St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences or its approved healthcare centres after completing the course. During this 2-year bond period, the candidate will be given the post and salary of an Assistant Professor. The bond penalty for non-compliance is Rs. 5,00,000. This is a unique institutional requirement and candidates must factor this in before joining the programme.

Ans. As per the 2025-26 Super Specialty Admission Bulletin, DM students at St. John's Medical College receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 68,750 in the first year, Rs. 75,000 in the second year, and Rs. 81,250 in the third year. This is one of the higher stipend amounts among private medical colleges in Karnataka. The stipend is subject to revision as per institutional and government norms and helps offset the cost of living in Bangalore during the 3-year training period.

Ans. St. John's Medical College Hospital has a well-equipped Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that provides comprehensive training in neonatal critical care. The NICU handles a wide range of cases including extremely premature neonates, neonates with respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal sepsis, hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, and metabolic disorders. The high patient load at SJMCH ensures that DM Neonatology students get adequate exposure to complex neonatal cases. The department also participates in research activities through the St. John's Research Institute (SJRI).

Ans. DM Neonatology at St. John's Medical College has 2 seats, and since only MD/DNB Paediatrics candidates are eligible, the competition is among a smaller pool of candidates compared to Medical Group specialties. However, St. John's Medical College is a highly sought-after institution, and the NEET SS rank required to secure a seat here is typically very high within the Paediatrics Group. Candidates are advised to check the previous year's closing ranks from the MCC counselling website to get an idea of the expected rank required.

Ans. Yes, candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 of MCC SS Counselling can participate in Round 2 for upgradation to a preferred college or course. However, if a candidate does not wish to participate in Round 2, they may directly join St. John's Medical College from the date of the academic session start (April 10, 2026 for the 2025 batch). Candidates opting for Round 2 upgradation must be aware that their Round 1 seat may be forfeited if they are allotted a different seat in Round 2. It is advisable to carefully evaluate the options before participating in Round 2 upgradation.