Al-Karim University (AKU), situated along Karim Bagh on Sirsa Road in Katihar, Bihar, is a state private Muslim minority university established in 2018 under the Bihar Private Universities Act. Founded by the Al-Karim Educational Trust, the university is built upon the strong legacy of Katihar Medical College (KMC), which was established in 1987. AKU serves as a premier center for healthcare, medical research, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, computer applications, and management in eastern Bihar.
Spanning an expansive campus in Katihar, Al-Karim University houses the attached 600+ bed Katihar Medical College Hospital—a major tertiary-care center catering to the healthcare needs of the Seemanchal region. Campus facilities include specialized clinical wards, advanced diagnostic laboratories, digital central libraries, lecture halls with modern audio-visual technology, research labs, sports infrastructure, and residential hostels for students and faculty.
Academically, AKU emphasizes clinical immersion, interdisciplinary research, and regulatory-approved curricula across undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs.
The tentative schedule for admissions to medical, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and IT programs at Al-Karim University for the academic session 2026–27 is outlined below:
Event
Tentative Dates
Submission of National Entrance Exam Scores (NEET UG / NEET PG)
January – May 2026
Bihar UGMAC / PGMAC Counselling Registration (MBBS / MD / MS)
July – August 2026
University Application Portal Opening for Non-NEET / Allied Programs
March – May 2026
University Level Merit Screening & Document Verification
June – July 2026
Bihar BCECE Mop-Up & Seat Allotment (B.Pharm / Allied Streams)
August – September 2026
Commencement of Academic Session
September 2026
Admissions to programs at Al-Karim University are entrance- and merit-based, governed by national regulatory frameworks (NMC, INC, PCI) and university selection policies.
Medical Sciences (MBBS / MD / MS) Admission Process:
Nursing & Pharmacy (B.Sc. Nursing / B.Pharm / D.Pharm) Admission Process:
Allied Health, IT & Management (BPT / BMLT / BCA / BBA / M.Sc.) Admission Process:
Al-Karim University offers degree, postgraduate, and diploma programs through its constituent medical college, nursing college, and allied health faculties:
Katihar Medical College (KMC) & Clinical Faculties:
Department of Nursing & Pharmacy:
Department of Paramedical & Allied Health Sciences:
Department of Computer Applications & Management:
The approximate annual and total tuition fee breakdown for major programs at Al-Karim University is detailed below:
Course
Program Duration
Annual Tuition Fee (Approx.)
Total Course Fee (Approx.)
MBBS
4.5 Years + 1 Year Internship
INR 9,78,000 – INR 13,00,000
INR 58,00,000 – INR 78,31,000
B.Sc. Nursing
4 Years
INR 1,40,000 – INR 2,44,000
INR 6,55,000 – INR 9,78,000
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)
INR 1,10,000 – INR 1,25,000
INR 4,40,000 – INR 5,00,000
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)
INR 1,28,000
INR 5,12,000
B.Sc. Paramedical (BMLT / Radiology)
3 – 4 Years
INR 1,19,000 – INR 1,24,000
INR 4,76,000 – INR 4,96,000
Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA)
3 Years
INR 40,00,000 – INR 50,000
INR 1,20,000 – INR 1,50,000
MD / MS (Clinical Specialties)
INR 12,00,000 – INR 40,00,000
INR 36,00,000 – INR 1,20,00,000
Al-Karim University centers its learning experience on extensive practical exposure and hospital care:
Graduates of Al-Karim University transition into clinical practice, healthcare management, research, and corporate sectors:
Al-Karim University offers a robust healthcare and multidisciplinary education ecosystem in Bihar. Combining the 35+ year legacy of Katihar Medical College, an established teaching hospital, UGC/NMC/INC/PCI approvals, Muslim minority reservation benefits, and comprehensive allied health offerings, AKU stands out as a key regional destination for medical and technical studies.
Q1. Is Al-Karim University recognized by UGC and NMC?
Yes, Al-Karim University is a State Private University recognized by the UGC, and its medical courses (MBBS, MD, MS) are approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
Q2. What entrance exams are required for MBBS admission at Al-Karim University?
MBBS admissions are strictly based on NEET UG ranks and conducted via Bihar State (BCECEB - UGMAC) and minority/management counseling rounds.
Q3. What is the quota distribution for seats at Al-Karim University?
As a Muslim minority institution, 50% of seats in courses like B.Sc. Nursing and MBBS are reserved for Muslim minority candidates, while 50% are open to general category candidates.
Q4. Does Al-Karim University have an attached teaching hospital?
Yes, the university operates with the attached Katihar Medical College Hospital, providing hands-on clinical exposure for medical and nursing students.
Q5. Where is Al-Karim University located?
The university campus is located at Karim Bagh on Sirsa Road in Katihar, Bihar.
Admissions to healthcare and medical streams are strictly entrance- and merit-based. Admission to the MBBS program requires a valid NEET-UG score followed by participation in Bihar state (BCECEB UGMAC) counseling, while MD/MS admissions require NEET-PG qualification. For non-NEET undergraduate courses such as BCA, B.Pharma, and B.Sc Nursing, admissions are conducted based on 10+2 merit or state level test (BCECE) notifications. The annual admission and counseling cycle typically extends from May through September following national entrance exam score releases.
Prospective students can apply through online or offline modes depending on the chosen course. For general degree, pharmacy, and paramedical courses, candidates complete registration forms on the official Al-Karim University website, upload required mark sheets and certificates, and pay the application fee. For MBBS and PG medical admissions, candidates must register on the official BCECEB counseling portal for state quota/minority seat allocation and select Katihar Medical College during option filling.
Key institutional highlights include its 55-acre self-contained campus, an integrated 600+ bed multi-specialty teaching hospital (Katihar Medical College) providing rich clinical practice, over 50% seat reservation for Muslim minority candidates, modern diagnostic laboratories, and round-the-clock emergency medical infrastructure.
The university operates a training and placement framework that oversees clinical internships, career counseling, and job placement drives. Medical, nursing, and paramedical graduates complete their compulsory rotatory clinical training at the on-campus 600+ bed teaching hospital, gaining high clinical exposure. Pharmacy, IT, and management students benefit from placement recruitment drives, securing opportunities across healthcare institutions, diagnostic chains, IT companies, and corporate networks.
Students at Al-Karim University can access financial support through various state and national scholarship programs. Bihar domicile students from SC, ST, and OBC categories can apply for post-matric financial schemes via the Bihar Post-Matric Scholarship portal. Muslim minority students can avail benefits under the Central Minority Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means Scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Al-Karim University is a statutory private university recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act. Its constituent medical college, Katihar Medical College, is officially recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) for MBBS and postgraduate medical courses. The university''s pharmacy and nursing programs are similarly approved by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and Indian Nursing Council (INC).
Al-Karim University and its constituent Katihar Medical College hold a prominent reputation as one of the leading private medical and minority educational institutions in Bihar and Eastern India. Higher education rating portals frequently rank its medical program among top private medical colleges in Bihar due to its well-established clinical infrastructure and high hospital patient volume.
The campus offers complete academic, clinical, and residential infrastructure, featuring air-conditioned lecture theatres, central digital libraries, diagnostic facilities, and computer centers. Amenities include separate hostels for male and female students with air-conditioned accommodation options, mess dining, sports facilities, high-speed Wi-Fi network access, cafeteria, banking/ATM services, and 24/7 hospital emergency care.
Course structures combine foundational classroom learning, laboratory experiments, clinical rotatory training, and project work. Tuition fees vary depending on the stream and program level: diploma and allied paramedical courses range between INR 2.40 Lakhs and INR 2.66 Lakhs total, B.Sc Nursing tuition is approximately INR 9.78 Lakhs for 4 years, and BPT costs around INR 5.12 Lakhs. For the flagship MBBS program, the annual tuition fee stands at INR 11,05,000, alongside applicable hostel, development, and administrative charges.
Al-Karim University receives favorable student ratings, averaging around 3.8 to 4.2 out of 5 stars on educational review portals. Student feedback consistently praises the high clinical and patient exposure in the teaching hospital, experienced faculty members, and well-maintained hostel infrastructure, while noting strict attendance and academic discipline requirements.
The faculty at Al-Karim University consists of experienced medical doctors, professors, clinical specialists, and department heads across basic and clinical sciences. Professors supervise theoretical lectures, practical laboratory work, clinical bedside teachings, and surgical procedures in hospital wards. Faculty members actively contribute to healthcare research and regularly publish papers in indexed national and international medical journals.
Ans. Yes, Al-Karim University is recognized by the UGC, and its medical courses at Katihar Medical College are approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
Q2. Where is Al-Karim University located?
Ans. The university is located in Katihar, Bihar.
Q3. What entrance exam is required for MBBS admission at Al-Karim University?
Ans. Admission to the MBBS program strictly requires a valid NEET-UG score followed by Bihar UGMAC state counseling.
Q4. What is the annual tuition fee for the MBBS program at Al-Karim University?
Ans. The annual tuition fee for the MBBS program under the management quota is INR 11,05,000.
Q5. Does Al-Karim University have a teaching hospital for clinical training?
Ans. Yes, the university campus houses Katihar Medical College and Hospital, which provides extensive hands-on clinical exposure to medical and allied health students.
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