Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute, Kelambakkam — Direct MBBS Admission 2025-26

Written by Shijin Joy (MBBS Admissions Lead, 14 yrs) · Reviewed by Kaisync Editorial Team · Last updated 18 June 2026

Chettinad CARE Overview: Campus, Affiliation & NMC Recognition

The declaration of the NEET-UG 2025 results is a pivotal and often highly stressful moment for every medical aspirant and their family. While many students aim for top-tier government and state-merit seats, the intense national competition frequently leads to a low NEET score that may not accurately reflect a candidate’s genuine potential or commitment to medicine. For parents and candidates in this position, a lower-than-expected score is not the end of the dream of wearing the white stethoscope — structured, fully legal pathways exist through India’s deemed-university framework regulated by MCC and the NMC.

Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), the constituent medical college of Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), is one of South India’s preferred destinations for medical education. Established in 2006, CHRI is set on a sprawling 33.5-acre eco-friendly campus on the Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR) IT-Educational Corridor at Kelambakkam — 26 km from UNESCO heritage site Mahabalipuram and 30 km from Chennai Raj Bhavan. CARE was conferred Deemed-to-be-University status under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956 and is notified as a UGC Category I institution, accredited with NAAC ‘A++’ Grade. The teaching hospital, the Central Library (53,248+ books, 1,84,781+ e-books, 9,000+ e-journals across 40,000 sq.ft.), the Clinical Skills & Simulation Center (CSSC), and the campus security/safety infrastructure (600+ CCTV, turnstile access control) collectively define what families call the Chettinad standard.

Official admission pathways for direct entry at Chettinad CARE

When standard government merit lists close at inaccessible levels, aspirants must strategically look toward alternative, government-approved entry points. At Chettinad CHRI, 100% of MBBS seats are filled through MCC centralized counselling at mcc.nic.in — there is no separate institute-level or backdoor channel. The three official categories within MCC’s deemed-university counselling are:

1. All-India / Management Quota Seats (within MCC)

At Chettinad CARE, the official 2025-26 Information Bulletin lists 250 MBBS annual intake with the All-India/Mgmt tuition set at ₹27 Lakhs per annum (paid in 5 equal annual installments). Selecting a paid seat at CHRI ensures entry into a NAAC A++ Deemed-to-be-University environment with a 1,180-bed teaching hospital, the exclusive CARE-IIT Madras MD/MS-PhD pathway for postgraduates, and a 33.5-acre OMR campus on Chennai’s IT-Educational Corridor. The fee is mid-tier among Tamil Nadu deemed peers (Sri Ramachandra, SRM, Saveetha) and remains a transparent, MCC-governed channel.

2. Institute Level / All-India Quota via MCC

The Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) of DGHS, New Delhi handles all CHRI MBBS admissions through National-Level Online Counseling across four rounds — Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round. Candidates register on www.mcc.nic.in under the “Deemed University” category. This means a candidate with a barely-qualifying NEET score can still access a CHRI seat without going through any agent — the pathway is 100% online, transparent, and government-supervised.

3. The NRI Quota

NRI/OCI/PIO candidates participate in the deemed-university NRI quota within MCC counselling at mcc.nic.in. Per the MEA’s revised NRI Certificate guidelines (30 July 2025), NRI candidates must furnish: valid passport; visa/residence permit/work permit; OCI/PIO card (if applicable); NRI certificate issued by Indian Embassy/Consulate (valid for 6 months); notarized sponsor affidavit with NRE bank passbook proof; and a Tahsildar-issued family-tree relationship certificate. First-degree NRI relatives eligible to sponsor: real uncle/aunt (paternal & maternal), grandparents (paternal & maternal), parents — per Supreme Court guidelines. Because the NRI seat allotment within MCC is structurally smaller, qualifying candidates with documented sponsorship enjoy a smoother pathway to a CHRI seat.

Chettinad CARE MBBS Fee Structure 2025-26 (Direct Admission via MCC)

Pursuing direct admission to a premier institution requires meticulous, upfront financial planning. Below is the verified annual fee structure for the MBBS programme (250 seats; 4½ years + 1 year CRMI internship) at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), sourced directly from the institution’s official Information Bulletin for Admission to M.B.B.S. Degree Course 2025-26 (PDF hosted below). All 250 seats are filled through 100% MCC online counselling at mcc.nic.in.

Chettinad MBBS fee in Tamil Nadu deemed-university context

Within Tamil Nadu’s deemed medical universities, Chettinad CHRI sits in the upper-mid tier. The major Tamil Nadu deemed peers for fee benchmarking:

• Chettinad CHRI: ₹27 L/yr Tuition (₹1.35 Cr 5-yr total) · 250 MBBS seats · NAAC A++ Deemed CARE
• Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Porur Chennai (SRIHER Deemed) · older flagship in Chennai
• SRM Medical College, Kattankulathur (SRMIST Deemed) · OMR adjacency
• ACS Medical College, Chennai (Dr MGR Deemed) · established central-Chennai location

Chettinad’s defining differentiator vs the rest: the exclusive CARE-IIT Madras MD/MS-PhD Integrated Program and the FREE M.Ch Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery super-specialty seat (2/yr) — neither of which any other Tamil Nadu deemed medical college offers as of 2025-26.

Hostel & Mess Fees (room-type dependent; annual)

Hostel accommodation is provided initially for the fresh 2025-26 batch in triple-sharing rooms only; alternate room types are considered after 6 months and subject to availability. AC rooms, TV+Wi-Fi, laundry, saloon & spa, gym, indoor & outdoor sports facilities. Boys and Girls hostels are separate, comfortable and secured. Source: Chettinad MBBS Information Bulletin 2025-26 (CARE official, pages 11–12).

Bank Details & Payment Mode for MBBS Fees

Payment mode for MBBS fees: Fees can be paid by Demand Draft in favour of “Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute” payable at Chennai, OR through RTGS/internet banking. Part payment of tuition fee and other fee is not acceptable; no extension of time for payment is entertained.

Always confirm the latest payment instructions directly with the CARE Registrar office before transferring — Mrs. S. Jeyendrasaraswathi, Registrar. Office: 044-47411012/14/15; Mobile: 9841422000 / 9841202000; Email: [email protected]; Website: care.edu.in. Never pay any agent or third party. All admissions are 100% via MCC centralized counselling at mcc.nic.in. Source: Chettinad MBBS Information Bulletin 2025-26 (CARE official, page 11–12).

Chettinad 5-year MBBS cost in context

The 5-year MBBS tuition total at Chettinad CHRI works out to exactly ₹1.35 crore for the Indian/MCC category (Year 1 ₹27L + four equal installments of ₹27L — the official 2025-26 bulletin does not mention a fee escalation clause within the cohort). Adding Year 1 other fees (₹1,18,320) and Hostel + Mess (₹2.20L – ₹4.20L/yr depending on room type), an MBBS family typically budgets ~₹1.55 – ₹1.65 crore all-in for the Indian category across 5.5 years. Within Tamil Nadu’s deemed-university tier (Sri Ramachandra, SRM Kattankulathur, ACS Chennai, Saveetha), Chettinad CHRI sits in the upper-mid premium band with a substantial PG ecosystem — 22 MD/MS specialties + 7 DM/MCh super-specialty programmes including free M.Ch CTVS — alongside the exclusive CARE-IIT Madras MD/MS-PhD pathway. This research-clinical depth is uncommon at this fee level among Tamil Nadu peers.

Chettinad CHRI MD/MS Postgraduate Programmes — verified 2025-26 fees

Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute offers 22 NMC-approved MD/MS specialties with 256 total PG seats (39 reserved for NRI) per the official Chettinad MD/MS Information Bulletin 2025-26 — one of the most comprehensive PG slates among Tamil Nadu deemed colleges. All PG admissions are routed through DGHS/MCC centralised counselling at mcc.nic.in (3-year MD/MS duration). Plus the exclusive CARE-IIT Madras MD/MS-PhD Integrated Program — only CHRI students can access a PhD at IIT Madras alongside MD/MS. Compulsory 3-month District Residency Programme. PG stipend: ₹48k/49k/50k per month for Y1/Y2/Y3.

A. MD/MS Annual Tuition Fee 2025-26 — All 22 Specialties

Indian tuition shown per annum (3 equal installments). NRI tuition shown as total for entire 3-year duration — paid 75% at admission, 25% at course commencement. PG Other Fees Y1: ₹45,000 (Caution ₹25k + University ₹10k + Uniform ₹5k + ID ₹500 + Insurance ₹1,500 + Record ₹3,000). Hostel + Mess: ₹2.20L – ₹4.20L/yr. Source: Chettinad MD/MS Information Bulletin 2025-26 (CARE official, pages 9–10).

B. Chettinad DM/MCh Super-Specialty 2025-26 — 7 programmes including FREE M.Ch CTVS

Chettinad CHRI offers 7 DM/MCh super-specialty programmes with 25 total seats — verified from the official DM/MCh Information Bulletin 2025-26. The unique highlight: M.Ch Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery is offered FREE (no tuition fees) — unparalleled within Tamil Nadu deemed medical universities.

DM/MCh Other Fees Y1: ₹42,000. Stipend: ₹50k/52.5k/55k per month for Y1/Y2/Y3. Source: Chettinad D.M./M.Ch. Information Bulletin 2025-26 (CARE official).

C. Value-Added Training Partnerships (MD/MS Programme Highlights)

Chettinad MD/MS residents rotate through select premier institutions for specialty-specific advanced training — an unusual breadth among Tamil Nadu deemed medical colleges. Per the official 2025-26 MD/MS bulletin:

• General Surgery: Chennai Urology & Robotics Institute (CURI — urology robotics & laparoscopic), GEM Hospital (gastroenterology robotics, laparoscopic), Canray Endoscopy Centre.
• ENT: Madras ENT Research Foundation MERF (cochlear implantation, head & neck), KKR ENT Hospital (extended FESS, skull base).
• Ophthalmology: Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal (vitreo-retina, oculoplasty subspecialties).
• OBG: Adyar Cancer Institute (gynaec oncology, radiotherapy).
• Paediatrics: Institute of Child Health (ICH Egmore) — paediatric cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, neurology, nephrology, hematooncology, CDC.
• Anaesthesiology: CURI, GEM, ICH, Adyar Cancer Institute (oncology & palliative pain anaesthesia).
• Sports Medicine: SPARRC Institute peripheral training.
• Pathology: Rajiv Gandhi Govt. General Hospital, Chennai — forensic autopsy procedures.
• Radio-Diagnosis: Govt. Stanley Medical College (conventional & interventional), Madras Medical College (nuclear medicine).
• Psychiatry: ICH (child psychiatry), Institute of Mental Health Chennai (forensic psychiatry), NIMHANS Bangalore (child & adolescent psychiatry).
• Respiratory Medicine: Govt. Hospital of Thoracic Medicine, Tambaram.
• Dermatology: Madras Medical College — Institute of Venereology.

NEET 2026 Cutoffs & Closing Ranks for Chettinad CARE

A common source of anxiety for parents is the relentless focus on high-performance metrics. However, for direct admission to Chettinad CHRI, the primary requirement is NEET-UG 2025 statutory eligibility, not exceptional rank. Per the official 2025-26 MBBS Information Bulletin, Chettinad CHRI accepts candidates within the following NEET-UG 2025 score bands:

• UR / EWS: 50th percentile — NEET score range 686–144
• UR / EWS-PWD: 45th percentile — score range 143–127
• OBC: 40th percentile — score range 143–113; OBC-PWD: 126–113
• SC: 40th percentile — score range 143–113; SC-PWD: 126–113
• ST: 40th percentile — score range 143–113; ST-PWD: 126–113

Note (verbatim from CARE Bulletin): “There shall be no reservation for OBC/SC/ST/PWD/EWS candidates in deemed-to-be-universities as per MCC.” All 250 MBBS seats are filled through MCC online counselling at mcc.nic.in across four rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up, Stray Vacancy) on NEET-UG 2025 merit. There is no single fixed “closing rank” for Chettinad CHRI — the rank at which the last seat closes shifts each round with the seat matrix and applicant pool. MCC does not publish a standing closing-rank table; it releases the seat matrix and round-wise allotment results each session. Always confirm the current-round position on mcc.nic.in — or ask our team for a free NEET-rank eligibility check based on Chettinad’s historical allotment patterns. Age requirement: candidate must have completed 17 years by 31-Dec-2025 (born on or before 31-Dec-2008).

Institutional spotlight — Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI)

When choosing an institution for a significant academic and financial investment, the legacy, clinical exposure, and university backing are paramount. Chettinad CARE, conferred Deemed-to-be-University status under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956, has emerged as a premier destination for medical education in South India — built by the Chettinad Group’s multi-generational educational legacy across Tamil Nadu.

A legacy of educational excellence

• Elite Deemed University status. Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI) operates as the constituent medical college of Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), conferred Deemed-to-be-University u/s 3 of UGC Act 1956 — NAAC ‘A++’ Grade and UGC Category I Institution.
• Approved & recognised by all statutory bodies. Approved by NMC/MCI, INC (Indian Nursing Council), TNNMC (Tamil Nadu Nurses & Midwives Council), AICTE, COA (Council of Architecture), BCI (Bar Council of India), PCI (Pharmacy Council of India), AIOTA (occupational therapy) and other esteemed bodies.
• Exclusive CARE–IIT Madras MD/MS-PhD Integrated Program. Only CHRI students can pursue a PhD at IIT Madras alongside MD/MS — an exclusive MoU positioning CARE among the very few medical institutions in India to partner with IIT Madras for a dual-degree pathway.
• NMC-recognised, global pathways open. Graduates are eligible for ECFMG (US), PLAB (UK), AMC (Australia) and similar international licensing exams. CHRI graduates have a strong record of clearing NEET-PG and entering super-specialty programmes across India.
• Multi-campus CARE network. Beyond Kelambakkam (main medical campus), CARE’s schools span 5 campuses: Kelambakkam, Manamai, KGF, Karur, Kanadukathan — with sister constituent schools in Nursing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Law and Architecture.

Unmatched clinical infrastructure — Chettinad Hospital, Kelambakkam

A medical student’s competence is forged in the hospital. Chettinad Hospital (established 2006), the attached teaching facility, provides comprehensive clinical exposure across diagnostics, preventive and curative services.

• Tertiary care anchor on OMR. The attached Chettinad Hospital serves the surrounding villages of Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and South Chennai with diagnostic, preventive and curative services. State-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology — modern medical equipment from Year 1 onwards.
• Clinical Skills & Simulation Center (CSSC). A dedicated CSSC houses anatomical models, electronic simulators, high-fidelity adult, paediatric and neonatal mannequins — reducing anxiety and ensuring proficiency before students interact with real patients. CSSC bridges classroom learning and real-world clinical settings.
• Advanced patient care facilities for hands-on training. Focus on developing both technical skills and compassionate patient care. Rural and urban health centers provide diverse healthcare exposure across socio-economic strata.
• Interdisciplinary environment. CHRI offers a unique multicultural setting that encourages collaboration among students from various professional disciplines — medicine, nursing, pharmacy, allied health sciences, architecture, law — fostering innovation and cultural competence.
• 22 MD/MS specialties + 7 DM/MCh super-specialty programmes on the same campus — gives MBBS students rotation exposure to the full clinical pipeline (Cardiology, Neurology, Neonatology, Gastroenterology, Neurosurgery, Urology, CTVS) including high-stakes cases via the value-added training partnerships with CURI Robotics, GEM Hospital, Madras Medical College, NIMHANS Bangalore and Adyar Cancer Institute.

Premium campus life and accommodation

• Sprawling 33.5-acre green campus on OMR. The Kelambakkam campus sits on Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR), Chennai’s IT-Educational Corridor — 26 km from UNESCO heritage site Mahabalipuram, 30 km from Chennai Raj Bhavan. Self-contained, serene, eco-friendly campus. Wi-Fi enabled throughout. Pollution-free, battery-driven cars and bicycles with park & ride facility for in-campus transportation.
• Safe and secured campus. Round-the-clock security personnel, 600+ CCTV coverage, turnstile and access control for surveillance, well-connected transport facility. Acoustic-modelled auditorium for academic events, well-stocked utility center, multi-cuisine food court, full-fledged Bank & ATMs operational on-campus, excellent indoor & outdoor sports facilities.
• Central Library: Imposing infrastructure covering 40,000 sq. ft., accommodating 500 readers at a time. Well-stocked with 53,248+ books (most recent Indian & International editions of recommended textbooks), comprehensive collection across medicine, allied health sciences, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, law, architecture and research. Plus a digital library with internet access, Medlar search facilities, media resource services, and access to 1,84,781+ e-books and 9,000+ e-journals.
• Safe accommodation. Comfortable and secured well-furnished hostel accommodation separately for boys and girls. Air-conditioned rooms, TV & Wi-Fi, laundry service, saloon & spa, gym, indoor & outdoor sports. Hostel accommodation initially provided to the fresh 2025-26 batch in triple-sharing rooms only; alternate room types considered after 6 months. Annual Hostel + Mess ₹2.20L – ₹4.20L depending on accommodation type.

Clinical Exposure: CHRI Teaching Hospital & CRMI Internship

Chettinad Hospital is one of Tamil Nadu’s preferred deemed-MBBS clinical anchors on OMR Chennai. The attached teaching hospital (established 2006) provides MBBS students rotational access across diagnostics, preventive and curative services for the surrounding rural and semi-urban Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram population. State-of-the-art equipment, cutting-edge technology, advanced patient care facilities, dedicated rural & urban health centers, and an interdisciplinary environment with co-located dental, nursing, pharmacy, allied-health-sciences, physiotherapy and occupational therapy students — producing a pathology mix and team-based learning rare among Tamil Nadu deemed peers.

Clinical Skills & Simulation Center (CSSC): CSSC offers a safe protected environment between classroom learning and real-world clinical settings — high-fidelity adult, paediatric and neonatal mannequins, anatomical models, electronic simulators, computer-generated acute medical scenarios — ensuring proficiency before students engage with actual patients, ultimately enhancing patient safety.

Internship & CRMI: The MBBS at CHRI spans 4½ academic years + 1 year Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) per NMC norms. After passing the Final MBBS Part II exam, candidates must complete the 12-month CRMI at CHRI (mandatory completion within 2 years of passing Final MBBS Part II). No CRMI transfer is permitted — candidates must complete CRMI at the same institute where they pursued MBBS. Maximum course duration: 9 years from date of admission (per CARE Bulletin 2025-26 page 13). Interns receive a monthly stipend as fixed by CARE under the prevailing NMC and Tamil Nadu norms; ask our counsellors for the current verified stipend figure before reporting.

How to Apply: MCC Centralized Counselling Process

Navigating deemed university admissions, rapidly shifting seat matrices, and strict MCC deadlines independently can lead to costly errors. At Chettinad CHRI, 100% of MBBS seats are filled through MCC online counselling — no separate institute-level application. Direct admission demands a precise strategy.

Step 1 — Confirm NEET-UG 2025 eligibility

The first non-negotiable step is confirming that the candidate holds a valid NEET-UG 2025 qualifying scorecard. Required: 50th percentile (UR/EWS) or 40th percentile (OBC/SC/ST); 45th percentile (UR/EWS-PWD); 10+2 with PCB and English (50% aggregate in PCB; 40% for SC/ST/OBC; 45% for PWD); age 17 by 31-Dec-2025. There is no reservation for OBC/SC/ST/PWD/EWS within MCC’s deemed-university quota.

Step 2 — Structure NRI sponsorship (if applicable)

If utilising the NRI sponsored route, per MEA’s 30-Jul-2025 revised guidelines, the following are required:

• Valid passport + visa / residence permit / work permit (or OCI/PIO card).
• NRI certificate issued by Indian Embassy/Consulate (valid 6 months from date of issue).
• Tahsildar-issued family-tree certificate proving relationship with NRI sponsor.
• Notarised sponsor affidavit + NRE bank passbook proof of financial sponsorship.
• Eligible first-degree NRI sponsors: real uncle/aunt (paternal & maternal), grandparents (both sides), parents.

Step 3 — Register on MCC and navigate counselling rounds

Register on www.mcc.nic.in under the Deemed University category. MCC conducts 4 rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round — all online. After receiving an online provisional allotment letter, candidates report in person to the Administrative Block, CARE Chettinad Health City Campus, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Kelambakkam-603 103, Chengalpattu District within the due date with all original documents and pay the entire tuition + other fees for the year 2025-26. Reporting time: 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM (all working days).

Step 4 — Strategic choice-filling with backup options

This is where expert guidance becomes critical. Based on your specific NEET score, budget, and eligibility, we strategically order your MCC institutional preferences to maximise your chances of allotment at top colleges like Chettinad CHRI during Round 1, Round 2, or the critical Mop-Up phases — including back-up choices at peer Tamil Nadu deemed colleges (Sri Ramachandra Porur, SRM Kattankulathur, ACS Chennai) and neighbouring deemed colleges across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra so you never leave the counselling season empty-handed. No agent is required — the entire process is online and government-supervised through MCC.

Why trust matters in your admission journey

The landscape of medical admissions is unfortunately crowded with misinformation. Desperate parents searching for solutions to a low NEET score are frequently targeted by unauthorised agents promising guaranteed, offline “backdoor” entries to Chettinad CHRI. We firmly advocate for 100% legal, transparent, and officially sanctioned admissions.

A genuine admission to Chettinad CHRI is never a backdoor entry — all 250 MBBS seats are allotted exclusively through MCC online counselling at mcc.nic.in. Our consultancy is built entirely on institutional data analytics, strict adherence to NMC guidelines, and deep empathy for the family’s journey. We provide data-driven strategies that optimise your valid NEET score to safely secure a seat in premier environments like CHRI. Pay only the official institutional fee, directly to the Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute Axis Bank account (A/c 925010023580575, IFSC UTIB0002784) via DD or RTGS, or via the NRI USD EEFC account (A/c 915020040848124, SWIFT AXISINBB423) as published in CARE’s official 2025-26 Information Bulletin — never to an agent. Always confirm the latest payment instructions with the Registrar office (Mrs. S. Jeyendrasaraswathi, [email protected], +91-44-47411012) before transferring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Take the right step forward today

Do not let a low NEET score dictate the trajectory of your life. The medical fraternity requires passionate, resilient, and dedicated individuals — and the official MCC deemed-university pathway exists precisely to give such candidates a fair opportunity at a world-class education.

By targeting a prestigious, high-infrastructure institution like Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), you are investing in an unparalleled clinical and academic career. With NAAC A++ Deemed-to-be-University status, UGC Category I notification, an exclusive CARE-IIT Madras MD/MS-PhD pathway, 33.5-acre OMR campus, free M.Ch Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery super-specialty, and CHRI’s established teaching hospital reach across Chengalpattu — your journey to becoming a doctor is fully secure. The complexity lies in the counselling — sponsor affidavits, choice-filling under tight MCC deadlines, payment compliance — and that is exactly where we deliver. Confidential. Transparent. Pay only after admission.

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