Deadline: 15-Aug-2025
The Sightsavers India, a development organisation committed to preventing avoidable blindness and promoting equal opportunities for people with disabilities is pleased to announce that applications for the 2025 cohort of the prestigious India Fellowship Program is now open.
According to a recent study “Democratizing Access to World-Class Eye Care” India with an estimated 25,000 ophthalmologists has just around 15 per million population. However, the urban-rural disparity exists here too with urban areas having one ophthalmologist for 10,000 people with rural areas far behind at one for every 250,000 people. This imbalance highlights a significant gap in accessible and timely eye care services, especially in underserved and remote regions.
The Sightsavers India Fellowship Program is a vital step in this direction. Designed to nurture and equip young ophthalmologists, the programme offers hands-on clinical training, community engagement experience, a chance to participate in eye health surveys, and exposure to high-volume settings in rural and peri-urban areas.
By investing in the next generation of eye health professionals, the fellowship is not only strengthening the human resource base but also ensuring that quality eye care reaches those who need it the most. It is a strategic response to a systemic issue and a step towards a future where preventable blindness is no longer a public health burden.
The 24-month structured program combines intensive clinical training at leading eye health institutions with experienced professionals with practical experience. The program includes district postings, one-on-one clinical-surgical mentorship, participation in community-based surveys and self-transformation mentoring. Fellows will also receive an attractive stipend and residential facility.
The fellows experience structured skill enhancement and mentoring process covering clinical and surgical ophthalmology and managerial and holistic life skills. Every stage of the fellowship program optimises learning that helps the fellows transform into all-rounded seasoned professional.
Through Sightsavers India’s Fellowship Program, they are proud to nurture young ophthalmologists who are passionate about delivering quality care where it’s needed most. They look forward to welcoming the next cohort of fellows—future leaders who will help shape a more inclusive society and contribute to reducing blindness prevalence.
Funding Information
- Fellowship Stipend:
- Initial four months training period: 35,000 per month
- 1st year of field posting: 65,000 per month
- 2nd year of field posting: 75,000 per month
Benefits
- 24 months journey
- Hands-on training at leading institutions
- Exciting district postings
- One-on-one clinical-surgical mentorship
- Participation in community-based survey
- Self-transformation mentoring
- Attractive stipend and residential facility.
- Additional benefits:
- Lump-sum payment upon successful completion of year 1 and 2
- Mediclaim, accident, term and professional indemnity insurance.
Eligibility Criteria
- The residential Fellowship is designed for postgraduates or diploma holders in ophthalmology (MS/DO/DNB) from any recognised institute/university in India, having sound knowledge on clinical ophthalmology (current year pass outs are eligible to apply).
- Desired attributes include: high learning orientation, adaptability, professional ethics and emotional resilience.
For more information, visit Sightsavers India.
