National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences

What is National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences?

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, is a government-run Institute of National Importance and a deemed-to-be university dedicated to mental health, neurology, neurosurgery and the allied brain sciences. It was formed on 27 December 1974 by amalgamating the erstwhile Mysore Government Mental Hospital (whose lineage traces to the Bangalore Lunatic Asylum of 1847) with the All India Institute of Mental Health, and it operates autonomously under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Located on Hosur Road in Bengaluru, Karnataka, NIMHANS was conferred deemed university status by the UGC on 14 November 1994 and declared an Institute of National Importance through the Gazette of India notification dated 14 September 2012. It is NAAC A++ accredited and is best known as India's apex centre for psychiatry, clinical neurosciences and neuroscience research, uniquely combining a tertiary-care brain hospital with postgraduate teaching and research under one roof.

National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Key Facts (2026)

The table below summarises the headline facts an aspirant most often checks first about NIMHANS Bengaluru, including its founding, statutory status and accreditation. It answers the question "what kind of institution is NIMHANS and how big is it?" at a glance. Read the Parameter column for the attribute and the Detail column for the verified value as of 2026. These figures set the context for the courses, fees and rankings detailed further down.

The key takeaway is that NIMHANS is a compact, highly specialised institution rather than a sprawling general university: roughly 1,221 students across 28 departments on a 131-acre campus. Its deemed-university autonomy and Institute of National Importance tag mean it sets its own curricula and conducts its own NIMHANS Entrance Test, while the NAAC A++ grade signals top-tier quality assurance. For applicants, this concentration of brain-science expertise is the institute's defining trait.

Why Choose National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences?

NIMHANS stands out for reasons that are specific to its standing in Indian medicine and neuroscience, not generic prestige claims. The following differentiators are grounded in its verified rankings, programmes and outcomes.

1. A top-ranked medical institution

NIMHANS was ranked #7 in NIRF Medical 2025 with a score of 69.77, having held #4 in NIRF Medical 2024 (score 71.92) and #4 in India Today's Medical 2024 list. It also placed #60 in NIRF Overall 2025 (score 54.28), an exceptional feat for a single-specialty institution.

2. India's apex centre for brain sciences

It is the country's foremost institute for psychiatry, neurology and neurosurgery, integrating patient care, teaching and research, which is why its MD Psychiatry, DM Neurology and MCh Neurosurgery seats are among the most sought-after in India.

3. Super-specialty depth

NIMHANS offers DM and MCh super-specialty programmes (3 years each) admitted through INI CET and INI SS, alongside MD, MSc, MPH, B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing and PhD streams across 28 departments.

4. Strong, research-led outcomes

The institute reported 100% placement in its PG 2-year and 3-year programmes during the 2024 drive, with graduates moving into leading hospitals and research bodies such as Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare, Manipal Hospitals, AIIMS and ICMR.

5. Affordable government fees with deemed-university autonomy

Doctoral and master's tuition remains modest for a national institute (PhD at ₹32,000 and M.Sc at ₹38,200), reflecting its public, non-commercial mandate.

Courses, Fees & Rankings at a Glance

NIMHANS runs a focused portfolio of brain-science and allied-health programmes, each admitting through a defined national or in-house entrance route. The table below distils the flagship courses with their verified total fee, duration and admitting exam, and pairs them with the institute's best ranking achievement for context. It answers "what can I study at NIMHANS, what does it cost, and how good is the institute?" in one view. For seat counts, cutoffs and year-wise specifics, refer to the dedicated Courses and Admissions tabs.

The pattern is clear: research and master's programmes (PhD ₹32,000; M.Sc ₹38,200) are highly affordable, while clinical and super-specialty degrees like MCh (₹2,29,000) and MD (₹2,05,000) carry higher fees commensurate with their hospital-based training. Admission splits cleanly by route, with NIMHANS Entrance Test governing nursing, M.Sc, MPH and PhD entry, and the national INI CET / INI SS exams governing MD, DM and MCh seats. Backed by a NIRF Medical 2025 rank of #7, these programmes offer rare value for an Institute of National Importance.

Placement & Admission Snapshot

NIMHANS recorded strong postgraduate placement outcomes in 2024, with a median package of around 16.09 LPA for PG 2-year courses and 18.04 LPA for PG 3-year courses, alongside 100% placement in both PG categories. For its UG 4-year programme, 75 students were placed in 2025 with a median package of about 13.20 LPA. The headline admission route is entrance-exam based: the in-house NIMHANS Entrance Test for B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc, M.Sc Nursing, MPH and PhD, and the national INI CET (with INI SS for super-specialty DM and MCh) for MD, DM and MCh.

The table below presents the verified placement figures by programme level and the year they pertain to, so applicants can read outcomes against the cohort. It answers "what do NIMHANS graduates earn and where do they go?"

The standout takeaway is that NIMHANS PG outcomes rise with programme length, from roughly 16.09 LPA (2-year) to 18.04 LPA (3-year) in 2024, reflecting the premium on super-specialty training. Graduates feed into top healthcare and research employers including Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare, Manipal Hospitals, AIIMS and ICMR. Combined with entrance-driven, merit-based admissions and modest government fees, this makes NIMHANS one of India's most rewarding destinations for a brain-sciences career.

Frequently Asked Questions: National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Overview 2026

Is National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) good?

Yes, NIMHANS Bengaluru is one of India's best medical institutions, ranked #7 in NIRF Medical 2025 (score 69.77) and #60 in NIRF Overall 2025 (score 54.28), having held #4 in NIRF Medical 2024. It is a NAAC A++ accredited Institute of National Importance and a deemed university under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Widely regarded as India's apex centre for psychiatry and neurosciences, it reported 100% placement in its PG programmes in 2024, confirming its top-tier reputation.

What is NIMHANS Bengaluru known for?

NIMHANS is best known as India's leading institute for mental health, neurology and neurosurgery, uniquely combining a tertiary brain hospital with postgraduate teaching and research on a single 131-acre campus. Established on 27 December 1974, it serves as the country's apex centre for psychiatry and the clinical neurosciences. Its MD Psychiatry, DM Neurology and MCh Neurosurgery programmes are among the most competitive in India, and the institute is a major hub for neuroscience research across its 28 departments.

What courses are offered at NIMHANS Bengaluru?

NIMHANS offers around 100 programmes spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, super-specialty and doctoral levels. Key courses include B.Sc Nursing (4 years), M.Sc and M.Sc Nursing (2 years each), MPH (2 years), MD (3 years), the DM and MCh super-specialty degrees (3 years each) and PhD (3 years). Admissions run through the NIMHANS Entrance Test for nursing, M.Sc, MPH and PhD, and through national INI CET and INI SS exams for MD, DM and MCh seats.

What is the total fee at NIMHANS Bengaluru?

Fees at NIMHANS vary by programme: PhD costs ₹32,000, M.Sc and M.Sc Nursing ₹38,200 each, B.Sc Nursing ₹1,77,000, MPH ₹1,83,000, DM ₹1,91,000, MD ₹2,05,000 and MCh ₹2,29,000 (total programme fees). As a government Institute of National Importance, NIMHANS keeps research and master's tuition modest, while clinical and super-specialty degrees carry higher fees reflecting their hospital-based training. These figures make it one of the most affordable elite medical institutes in India.

What is the NIRF and NAAC status of NIMHANS Bengaluru?

NIMHANS holds NIRF Medical Rank #7 in 2025 (score 69.77) and NIRF Overall Rank #60 in 2025 (score 54.28), after ranking #4 in NIRF Medical 2024 (score 71.92) and #4 in India Today Medical 2024. It is accredited NAAC A++, the highest grade band. As an Institute of National Importance and UGC deemed university, these credentials place NIMHANS firmly among India's top medical and research institutions.

What is the average package at NIMHANS Bengaluru?

NIMHANS recorded a median package of around 16.09 LPA for its PG 2-year courses and 18.04 LPA for PG 3-year courses in 2024, with 100% placement in both categories. For the UG 4-year programme, 75 students were placed in 2025 with a median package of about 13.20 LPA. Graduates typically join leading hospitals and research bodies such as Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare, Manipal Hospitals, AIIMS and ICMR.

Is admission to NIMHANS Bengaluru merit or entrance based?

Admission to NIMHANS is entrance-exam based. The institute conducts its own NIMHANS Entrance Test for B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc, M.Sc Nursing, MPH and PhD, while MD admissions use the national INI CET and DM and MCh super-specialty seats use INI CET and INI SS. Eligibility additionally requires relevant qualifying degrees, for example MBBS with a completed internship for MD, and B.Sc Nursing with RN/RM registration for M.Sc Nursing. Final selection is based on entrance performance and merit.