Phaco-ref at ASG provides a decent fellowship of two years with good working environment. Duration= 2 years Fellows here get paid about 70k a month. Fellows get to operate about 300 phacos and about 50+ independent LASIKs. Along with other OPD procedures and OT procedures like lid repair, evisceration, yag PI etc  I for one (fellow finishing in 2025) have done 253 phacos and 30 eyes for LASIK, 7 eyes for ICL, over 300 pterygiums, 50 C3Rs, 25 intravitreal injections including Ozurdex.

Duration- 1 year 6 months. OT access and surgeries (SICS) starts at around 3rd month. You share OT with external trainees who have come for paid training (SICS/Phaco) and with DNBs. 3 OTs a week, usually 1 case is allotted per trainee. More cases allotted per OT towards the end of your tenure. Phaco training is subject to respective consultant, may get Phaco around last 1-2 months. Clinical exposure is decent. Work environment is very good, not toxic at all. It’s not that hectic as well. PG seminars every alternate day.  Dedicated consultants will teach you when you're posted under them.  No refractive training. Around 3 evening duties a month.  Around 3-4 peripheral vision centre visits a month (8am to 5pm). No bond. You do not exit as an independent phaco surgeon, need more experience post fellowship.

It's 1.5 years (18 months) duration, 1 fellow taken per session. No adult cataracts given to operate for anyone in any department except General Ophthal (including consultants). Surgical hands-on starts by month 5-6 (cases are less in March and April due to children's exams) Clinical exposure is very good. You also get to evaluate cases and measure squints yourself. Dept- no toxicity. Consultants are approachable.  Continuous chutti ka thoda sa problem hai (translation- they don't give long leaves) because Sundays and public holidays are anyway off. It is not hectic. Working hours are 7.5- 8 hours a day max, with Sundays and public holidays off. Consultants train you. Both junior and senior consultants. I (reviewer) got good number of muscles, around 35+. Superior oblique I didn't get as no case came by the time I was competent enough to do one. It depends on how many cases come during your duration.  Got roughly 10 paediatric cataracts including cases with posterior capsulorrhexis and ant vitrectomy. This also depends on how many cases come during your time. Also got to do 4 intravitreals in ROP babies and a lot of ROP lasers. Haven't counted lasers, since I did many ROP lasers. Camp duties- very less. Night calls 0. Specialty fellows don't do calls as of now (2025).

12 months  Selection- interview by Dr Tanaji (CMO and trainer) 1 fellow taken per session Stipend 30k per month  First month is observation  Then you start SICS from 2nd month onwards You get around 500-1000 SICS depending on your skill You're given phaco training in the last few months from 8th or 9th month onwards, you are promised 100 phacos but fellows usually get more  You get to do advanced cataract cases and also learn CTR, iris claws, ant vitrectomy etc during this fellowship  You may also get hands-on for a few trabs, DCRs and pterygiums You have daily OP and daily OT, Mon- Sat Work timings 9- 5.30 pm Post OP, you have to do pre-ops for the camp pts OPD is usually light, not hectic   Sundays usually free, can opt to work in Dr Tanaji's private clinic 8am -8pm if interested  No night duties No camp duties You can join post fellowship to refine phaco skills and get hands-on for topical phacos

Most other specialty fellowships in SNC are of 3 yrs since they include cataract training. VR fellowship is of two types- 2 yr duration and 3 yr duration No phaco training. 3-4 fellows taken per session. Selection by exam + interview (intake time depends on when current VR fellows are finishing), notice put out on their website and alumni whatsapp groups.  Only 1 fellow given direct fellowship (2 yrs), the others may be asked to do initial research work for 3-6 months (idea is to not have all fellows pass out at the same time which would disrupt case allotments and work schedules). Most common duration now for VR is 3 years. During research time, you will work in the dept and ward but not see OP. Clinical op is good- you see lots of patients, see every textbook case. First 6 months spent on medical retina work- lots of lasers and intravit injections. After that they start with SOR, then proceed to vitrectomy, macular hole surgeries etc  Initially you are given steps but once you pick up, you will be given cases to do independently. You get good hands-on. Unlike other places where VR fellowship means you only get steps in retinal surgeries till the end, here you get steps in the beginning and then progress to operating independently once you pick up well. Cases are posted in your name by the end of fellowship. Stipend 50k in 1st yr, 60k in 2nd yr. For the 3 yrs VR program, it is 50k, 60k and 70k in 1st, 2nd and 3rd yr. Work timings 8- 6pm. Hectic++ but no toxicity No night duties or Sunday duties unless an endoph case comes. Food and accommodation provided on campus, not charged from your stipend. Plus, fellows get single room (even AC). ROP exposure is good, you are given lasers in babies and you also get few intravit injections in ROP babies towards end of fellowship. Regular classes- 4 times/ week, once a week common rounds. One of those rare, good VR fellowships where you pass out as an independent VR surgeon and don't have to join a trust/ charitable place afterwards to fine-tune your surgical skills. Note- If you leave fellowship in between, you will have to pay 2 lacs. The 1st month is observation period and if you decide not to continue, you can leave without paying any penalty. But if you quit fellowship any time after the 1st month, you will be charged 2 lacs.

Duration of fellowship 2+1 yrs (with effect from 2026 session) All fellowships here are of 3 yrs (cataract training included) with 2 yrs of fellowship and 1 yr of consultancy post fellowship. Selection only on the basis of interview. There is no fixed intake. Interviews are conducted twice a year (February & August). They are not strict about number of fellows they take per session. They may increase or decrease the seats as per requirement but there are minimum 4 seats per specialties. Glaucoma fellows share cataract OTs with other fellows of different specialties. Along with this, differnt specialties have fixed specialty OT days. On your allotted day, you get to do cases of your specialty. Initially they will train you in SICS under consultant supervision. After n number of cases, you'll be free to do SICS surgeries independently depending upon individual surgeon's confidence.  Phaco will start in 2nd yr only after you are confident enough in SICS.  After that they'll train you in vitrectomy and how to do complex cases like small pupil, zonular laxity, brown cataract, PXF, subluxated lens etc. You get vast exposure of each and every kind of clinical cases not only in glaucoma but other specialties also. It's very, very hectic due to high patient load both in opd or OTs. But no toxicity in the workplace. Depending upon their availability, both senior consultants and senior fellows will train you in SICS but phaco training will be given by only senior consultants. On an average, cataract / IOL fellow will do approx 550 to 600 phacos while other specialties' fellows will get approx 350 to 400 phaco cases.  This difference is due to fact that other specialty fellows will have to do their specialty cases also. They'll train you in advanced cataract cases also (small pupil, pxf, hard cataract).  Iris claw lens insertions given only to IOL fellows. Regarding MIGS & GATT- Honestly speaking, I (reviewer) didnt get any MIGS cases. But that's due to fact that majority of our pts belong to rural backgrounds (cost not affordable).  Also, most of the cases we see are moderate to advanced glaucoma (so MIGS/ GATT not indicated). No peripheral postings, no camp duties. On your night call duty you have to stay in hostel. One DNB student will be there to attend the emergency, they inform you as and when cases come. There will also be a consultant on call. If required you may call them for opinion. As such, night duty is not an issue. Academics-  There is a mandatory journal club class conducted on Saturday morning 8 am in which all senior consultants & all fellows will be present for discussion. There is a separate class schedule for particular departments, at least 3- 4 days per week. They are generally scheduled for 7: 45 am to 8: 00 am. Classes may be discontinued in peak cataract season and then resumed after. NOTE- After joining, there will be an observation period of 1 month.  If you feel you're not keen to continue, then you may leave the institute within 1 month.  Beyond this 1 month if you resign, then you have to pay a bond money of 2 lacs.

Duration 1.5 years  1-2 fellows per session. Fellows are taken annually.  Has an interview based admission and an exit exam. Stipend 30k for 12 months, 35k for the last 6 months. Good number of OPD Exposure for cornea as well as refractive cases . Surgical hands on with cornea cases include penetrating keratoplasties (PK), descemetopexy, AMGs, corneal tears, cornea tattooing etc.  When it comes to Keratoplasties - decent number of PKs.  Chances for lamellar cases are slim.  The surgical number depends on individual efforts to build up the skills.  Refractive exposure is excellent as well - includes work up on a daily basis with observation and hands on with PRK, femtoLASIK, SMILE and ICLs. One can get good exposure on recent advances in investigation of cornea and ocular surface diseases. Added advantage- Cornea-Ref fellows get to operate cataracts as well (SICS and Phaco) in almost equal numbers as Phaco-Ref fellows.  PS: Towards the end of fellowship- if the fellow is interested in any other branch, the institute provides opportunity to work under that speciality for few days (retina/ glaucoma etc). Becomes advantageous to the ones who are planning for private practice later .  Downsides- Hectic schedule Can be a bit of a hustle to manage between Cornea and Cataract OTs (Cataract OT runs congruently with Cornea OT so you need to make time after Cornea OP/ OT to do cataract cases. Might need to come early next day or stay late after work to do cataract cases). There are also penalties in case of complications during cataract surgery. If patient ends up requiring iris claw lenses, the doctor is expected to pay for the same from his own pocket.

3 yrs duration (2 yrs fellowship + 1 year consultancy) Phaco training included  2-3 fellows taken per session, sometimes more based on need Selection by exam + interview  First 1.5 yrs you do cataracts (SICS) and are posted in diff speciality depts- only one rotation thru all depts.. SICS training begins 1 month after joining. Phaco starts after 18 months, you are given Alcon training first week and then the consultants take over training, can expect at least 500 phacos. Paed surgeries are also started simultaneously after 18 months, step wise. You get hands-on for both simple and complex squint cases- minumum 30 cases. Paed cataracts are also given, mostly older kids and those cases done under LA. Younger kids are operated solely by senior consultants. Can expect at least 30-40 paed cataracts. Very very hectic OP but no toxicity OT runs long, till 7 pm sometimes even 8 pm Clinical OP is good- you see every textbook case Regular classes + (3/ week) You also get Neuro-Ophthal exposure since they are seen by the Paed Ophthal dept Paed glaucoma cases are also handled by them- will get exposure to paediatric trabs, AGVs etc (but may not get hands-on for this) Stipend 50k in 1st yr, 60k in 2nd yr, 70k in 3rd yr No ROPs seen in the dept but you can observe in your Retina posting Paed DCRs and NLD probings are done by Oculoplasty but they call Paed Ophthal fellows/ consultants also when operating. Note-  as mentioned in the other SNC reviews, the 1st month you join is observation period, if you feel you cannot continue with the fellowship, you can leave without paying any penalty. But if you leave any time after 1 month, you will have to pay 2 lacs. They also take a caution deposit (deduct a certain percent from your salary till the end of fellowship) which is returned after you finish. Another Note-  The reviewer wanted to particularly mention that life in the SNC campus is good, they've got a clubhouse and other sports and entertainment aspects so fellows definitely have options for leisure after work. It's not a dead zone in campus after working hours.

2 years duration  Selection by Interview- fixed intake, twice in a year Stipend 30k No: of fellows taken is variable depending on their needs, generally two. Includes phaco training. Supracapsular phaco is done here. ( Admin note - Phaco technique in Agarwal's is not the standard taught in other hospitals, here they do what is called Supracapsular phaco where the cataract is popped out of the bag and then emulsified in AC.) I (reviewer) am not really sure how seniors who have passed out with supracapsular technique are faring outside. Most already know other phaco techniques before joining or join back at Agarwal's after the fellowship.   Hands-on starts after 6 months, stepwise progression to individual cases, Senior consultants train you. Ocular tumors and pediatric ROP cases exposure is lesser. Hectic yes. Not sure I can quantify the numbers for VR fellows, but definitely more than sufficient .  A Medical Retina person would get around 300-500 lasers, and about 25-50 injections over a 6 month period.  Whereas a VR would get double that in the same period and more when considering 18 months are still left. Good & experienced VR surgeons and Trainers Surgical cases variety and volume are good too but subject to number of Foreign/Short term trainees, if they are more, then in-house fellows get lesser chances. Among retinal surgeries, Vit hemorrhage forms the major bulk, followed by ERM, TRD, RRD and macular holes after one reaches sufficient level of competence. Secondary IOLs and nucleus drops too.  But hands-on for these (secondary IOLs, nucleus drops) are shared also with every other speciality fellow in Agarwal's, since Amar sir (Dr Amar Agarwal) believes a competent phaco surgeon should know the above.  ROP exposure is very minimal, no hands-on for lasers & intravit injections. Plenty of peripheral postings are there. Because Agarwal's is one of the faster expanding corporate hospitals, fellows can find themselves suddenly posted without notice for duties at peripheral centres. Camp duties once a month, night duties once a month Classes are there but are not very regular . Timings 8:30 to 6 pm with a caveat that OT sometimes starts at 6:30 am too.

(This is diff from their General Ophthalmology fellowship which is purely SICS fellowship with 5-10 phacos in last month.) This is strictly a cataract fellowship , no refractive training. Duration 1.5 yrs You are promised 250 SICS and 100 phacos Stipend 50k 2 fellows taken per session Selection- MCQ exam + interview  Under RGUHS so there is an exit exam You start with SICS, initially 1-2 cases per OT. One OT per week. Depending on how well you pick up and your speed, they give more, some 5-6 cases/ OT. Work timings 8.30 - 6 pm  Sundays usually off except for 1 Sunday duty or 1 Sunday camp per month Night duties once every 10 days (depending on how many DNBs and fellows there are)- fellows are first call but calls are never busy. Peripheral postings at 2 of their branches where you have to see OP, no OT there. Posting may be for a week or 3 days depending which place you are sent. But they compensate for this lost week by giving you more cases in the next OT. No refractive procedures done here. No complication management or advanced cataract cases given, but you get those if you continue after fellowship.

Duration 1.5 yrs Stipend 50k 2 fellows taken per session under RGUHS but if they don't get any fellows, they take what is known as "house fellows" who do the same fellowship but only for 12 months. Selection- MCQ exam + interview  Under RGUHS so there is an exit exam Cataract cases given but only SICS, no phaco You start with SICS, initially 1-2 cases per ot One OT per week Cornea OT is twice a week You start with cataracts in 2nd month Cornea side, you start with simpler surgeries- pterygiums, C3R, AMG etc  Gradually you get hands-on for therapeutic KPs and optical KPs It's mostly steps in keratoplasties till the end, rare to get to do independent cases Work timings 8.30 - 6 pm  Sundays usually off except for 1 Sunday duty or 1 Sunday camp per month Night duties once every 10 days (depending on how many DNBs and fellows there are)- fellows are first call but calls are never busy. Peripheral postings at 2 branches where you have to see OP, no OT there. Posting may be for a week or 3 days depending which place you are sent. But they compensate for this lost week by giving you more cases in the next OT. No refractive procedures done at the main hospital.  Only PRKs done here and that too by the seniormost consultant at an attached hospital elsewhere- cornea fellows are posted by turn and may get hands-on for PRK (depends on fellow's skill and luck).

Duration 18 months Selection exam+ interview Under RGUHS so there is an exit exam. You start with SICS in camp pts and once you become proficient, you become trainer to junior fellows and PGs.. next stage is they give you SICS in private pts.. then based on your skill and dexterity, they start phaco soon after. Phaco training usually starts in first year or at least by the end of 1st yr. Cataract OT runs every day Camps also every day (sometimes even 2-3 in a day) Before moving to phaco, they also teach you to do ant vitrectomy and put iris claws. You get good number of phacos, around 200+ with progression to topical phacos by the end. Refractive exposure ++, may get to do an occasional PRK or SMILE. Some penalties - if a normal cataract camp pt ends up requiring iris claw lenses due to complications, the fellow has to pay the extra cost. Work environment very hectic but not toxic. Peripheral postings to other centres are there. Night duties and Sunday calls + with turns depending on no of fellows. Overall, a good fellowship since you exit as an independent phaco surgeon with experience in iris claws and anterior vitrectomy and also topical phacos.