Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University (SDMU), located in Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, is a leading private university established in 2018 under the Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational (SDME) Society. Managed under the leadership of the SDM Educational Society (headed by Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade), the university integrates modern health sciences, engineering, biomedical research, and value-based education.
Spread over a expansive, eco-friendly campus along the Hubballi-Dharwad highway, SDMU offers modern academic and clinical infrastructure. Facilities include a multi-specialty tertiary care teaching hospital (SDM College of Medical Sciences & Hospital), modern dental clinics, advanced biomedical research laboratories, central digital libraries, air-conditioned auditoriums, sports facilities, and residential hostels serving students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral domains.
Academically, SDMU operates under a comprehensive curriculum aligned with national regulatory bodies such as the National Medical Commission (NMC), Dental Council of India (DCI), Indian Nursing Council (INC), and AICTE.
The tentative schedule for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate medical, dental, and health science programs at SDM University for the academic session 2026–27 is outlined below:
Event
Tentative Dates
NEET UG / NEET PG Exam Schedule
May – June 2026
NEET UG / PG Result & Rank Declaration
June 2026
KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) Counseling Registration
July 2026
MCC All India Counseling Rounds (Deemed/Private Seats)
July – August 2026
Non-NEET Paramedical & Nursing Merit Application Window
May – July 2026
Document Verification & Final Seat Allotment
August 2026
Commencement of Academic Session
September 2026
Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University Admissions 2026–27
Admissions to various institutions under SDM University are strictly merit-based, governed by national entrance frameworks (NEET) and centralized counseling conducted by KEA and MCC.
Medical & Dental Programs (MBBS / BDS) Admission Process:
Postgraduate Medical & Dental (MD / MS / MDS) Admission Process:
Allied Health Sciences, Nursing & Physiotherapy (B.Sc / BPT / B.Sc Nursing) Admission Process:
Courses Offered at Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University
SDM University houses several constituent colleges offering medical, dental, nursing, allied health, and research programs:
Medical & Biomedical Sciences (SDM College of Medical Sciences & Hospital / SDMRIBS):
Dental & Rehabilitation Sciences (SDM College of Dental Sciences / SDM College of Physiotherapy):
Nursing & Allied Disciplines (SDM Institute of Nursing Sciences):
Fee Structure at Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University
Fees across different medical, healthcare, and research courses under SDM University are structured according to regulatory quotas and guidelines:
Course
Program Duration
Fee Structure (Approx.)
MBBS
4.5 Years + 1 Year Internship
INR 20,15,000 / year (General Merit) – INR 1.13 Crore Total
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
4 Years + 1 Year Internship
INR 19,56,000 (Total Course Fee)
B.Sc. Allied Health Sciences
3 - 4 Years
INR 1,66,000 (Total Course Fee)
BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy)
4.5 Years
INR 7,20,000 (Total Course Fee)
B.Sc. Nursing
4 Years
INR 1,66,000 – INR 6,20,000 (Total Course Fee)
MD / MS (Clinical Disciplines)
3 Years
INR 25,00,000 – INR 1.03 Crore (Total Course Fee)
MPT (Master of Physiotherapy)
2 Years
INR 4,50,000 – INR 6,30,000 (Total Course Fee)
SDM University emphasizes hands-on clinical exposure, research output, and patient-centric training:
Graduates from SDM University transition into clinical practice, higher medical education, and hospital administration:
SDM University combines value-based education, modern clinical infrastructure, and high academic standards under the aegis of the SDM Educational Society. With NMC and DCI approvals, high-volume clinical exposure, established post-graduate medical programs, and strong community health integration, SDM University is a preferred choice for healthcare and health science education in Karnataka.
Q1. Is SDM University Dharwad recognized by NMC and UGC?
Yes, SDM University is established under the Karnataka State Private University Act and recognized by the UGC, while its medical and dental programs are approved by the NMC and DCI respectively.
Q2. What entrance exam is required for MBBS admission at SDM University?
Admissions to MBBS are based on scores and ranks in NEET UG, conducted through KEA and MCC counseling.
Q3. Does SDM University offer hostel facilities?
Yes, separate residential hostels with vegetarian dining facilities, round-the-clock security, and Wi-Fi are provided on campus.
Q4. What are the courses offered in Allied Health Sciences at SDM University?
The university offers B.Sc. programs in Medical Laboratory Technology, Optometry, Imaging Technology, Renal Dialysis, and Emergency Care.
Q5. What is the tuition fee structure for MBBS at SDM University?
The annual tuition fee for the MBBS program under general merit quota is approximately INR 20,15,000 per year.
Admissions are strictly merit-based and governed by national-level entrance evaluations or qualifying examination performance depending on the course. MBBS and BDS admissions require valid NEET-UG ranks cleared through KEA or MCC counseling, whereas MD, MS, and MDS admissions rely on NEET-PG and NEET-MDS results. Admissions for B.Sc Allied Health, Nursing, and BPT courses open between May and July following 10+2 board result announcements.
Prospective candidates for medical and dental courses register through state (KEA) or national (MCC) entrance counseling portals during designated admission cycles. For university-conducted Allied Health, Nursing, and Postgraduate non-NEET applications, candidates apply online via the official website (sdmuniversity.edu.in) by registering, uploading academic mark sheets and identity proofs, filling out program preferences, and completing the process by paying the prescribed application fee.
Key institutional highlights include a massive 75-acre green campus in Dharwad, an integrated 1,200-bed modern multi-specialty teaching hospital, dedicated dental and physiotherapy colleges, state-of-the-art diagnostic and research centers, active community health outreach programs, and strong ethics-based learning foundations.
Graduates from SDM University benefit from intensive practical training in the on-campus 1,200+ bed SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, rendering them career-ready. Medical, nursing, and allied health graduates secure immediate compulsory paid internships, residency positions, or clinical roles in major hospital networks and diagnostic centers across India, with average starting salaries ranging between INR 4.50 LPA and INR 9.00 LPA depending on the clinical specialization.
Eligible students at SDM University can access central government scholarships (such as PM-USP and NSP post-matric schemes) as well as Karnataka state government fee reimbursement programs for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC). Additionally, the SDM Educational Society provides merit-based tuition concessions and financial assistance to underprivileged and high-achieving students.
Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University (SDM), Dharwad is a recognized State Private University established under the Karnataka State Act and approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 2(f). Its constituent colleges and clinical/academic programs are approved by respective national statutory bodies, including the National Medical Commission (NMC) for medical courses, the Dental Council of India (DCI) for dental programs, the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and Karnataka State Nursing Council (KSNC) for nursing education, and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
SDM University holds strong national and regional positions among private medical and health sciences institutions. It has been ranked among the Top 5 Private Universities in India by education rating frameworks like IIRF and Outlook, with its constituent SDM College of Dental Sciences and SDM College of Medical Sciences consistently listed among top-tier institutions in Karnataka.
The campus offers advanced academic and clinical infrastructure including modern air-conditioned lecture theatres, multi-specialty clinical wards, advanced simulation units, central digital libraries, and specialized diagnostic labs. Student amenities feature separate secure hostels for men and women, clean dining cafeterias, indoor and outdoor sports fields, gymnasium facilities, and high-speed Wi-Fi network access.
Academic programs blend domain-specific core subjects with practical hands-on training, hospital rounds, and research dissertations. Fee structures vary significantly across streams and management quotas; for instance, annual tuition fees for B.Sc. Allied Health Sciences programs range between INR 1.60 Lakhs and INR 2.30 Lakhs in total, BPT costs around INR 2.50 Lakhs to INR 4.00 Lakhs in total, while government and management quota MBBS fees range from INR 7.00 Lakhs per year up to higher private quota brackets for full 5.5-year tenures.
Student and alumnus reviews rate SDM University highly (averaging around 4.1 to 4.4 out of 5 stars on educational portals), praising its clinical patient inflow, disciplined campus life, approachable faculty, and top-class hospital infrastructure. Reviews note that the academic workload is intense, requiring continuous hospital rotations and strict attendance adherence.
The faculty at SDM University consists of senior medical practitioners, surgeons, professors, doctorate holders, and clinical researchers across basic and clinical sciences. Faculty members actively engage in patient care, mentor students during clinical ward rounds, lead diagnostic lab sessions, publish extensively in indexed medical and dental journals, and oversee postgraduate dissertations.
Q1. Is SDM University Dharwad recognized by regulatory bodies?
Ans. Yes, SDM University is recognized by the UGC and its courses are approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC), Dental Council of India (DCI), and Indian Nursing Council (INC).
Q2. Where is SDM University located in Karnataka?
Ans. The university is located at Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka - 580009.
Q3. What entrance exam is required for MBBS admission at SDM University?
Ans. Admission to the MBBS program requires a valid score and rank in the NEET-UG entrance examination followed by counseling.
Q4. Does the university have its own teaching hospital?
Ans. Yes, the campus houses the 1,200+ bed SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital providing extensive clinical exposure.
Q5. Are hostel facilities available for male and female students on campus?
Ans. Yes, the university provides secure, separate hostel accommodations with mess and security services for both male and female students.
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