About Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Bangalore
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) is Karnataka's apex health sciences university, headquartered in Bangalore. Established in 1996 by the Government of Karnataka, RGUHS is the affiliating university for all medical, dental, Ayurveda, homoeopathy, pharmacy, nursing and allied health sciences colleges in Karnataka. Over 290 colleges across Karnataka are affiliated to RGUHS, making it one of India's largest health sciences universities by number of affiliated institutions. RGUHS awards MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BPharm, BSc Nursing and postgraduate health sciences degrees across all Karnataka health sciences colleges.
RGUHS conducts centralised university examinations for all affiliated colleges. Students in Karnataka's health sciences colleges appear for RGUHS examinations and receive RGUHS-awarded degrees regardless of whether their college is private, government or deemed (for RGUHS-affiliated deemed colleges). The RGUHS degree has national validity for medical council registration, NEET-PG eligibility and professional licensing across India.
RGUHS Role in Karnataka Health Sciences Education
| Programme | Affiliated Colleges | Admission Route |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS | 60+ colleges | NEET + KEA/MCC |
| BDS | 20+ colleges | NEET + KEA/MCC |
| BAMS (Ayurveda) | 60+ colleges | NEET + KEA AYUSH |
| BHMS (Homoeopathy) | 20+ colleges | NEET + KEA AYUSH |
| BPharm | 100+ colleges | KCET / COMEDK |
| BSc Nursing | 100+ colleges | KEA NEET / Merit |
RGUHS Examinations and Degree Validity
RGUHS conducts regular and supplementary examinations for all affiliated programmes. The RGUHS examination system is the basis for all Karnataka health sciences college results, rankings and degree issuance. RGUHS degrees are recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC), Dental Council of India (DCI), Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and Nursing Council of India (INC) for professional registration and licensing purposes.
RGUHS and NEET-PG
All MBBS degrees from RGUHS-affiliated Karnataka medical colleges qualify holders for NEET-PG — the national postgraduate medical entrance exam for MD/MS/Diploma specialisation seats across India. RGUHS conducts its own Karnataka PGCET for paramedical and non-MBBS postgraduate admissions. Students from RGUHS-affiliated colleges can apply for PG seats at any NMC-approved medical college in India through NEET-PG, not just Karnataka colleges.
RGUHS Constituent College
In addition to affiliating health sciences colleges across Karnataka, RGUHS operates research programmes and constituent academic activities at its Bangalore headquarters. The university's role in health sciences education policy, research promotion and quality assurance for Karnataka's entire health professions education ecosystem makes RGUHS Bangalore a significant institutional presence in the state's medical education landscape.