Sightsavers India has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 cohort of its India Fellowship Program, an 18-month initiative aimed at equipping early-career ophthalmologists with advanced clinical, surgical and leadership skills while preparing them to deliver quality eye care in underserved regions across the country.
The fellowship comes at a time when India continues to expand access to eye health services, while the need to strengthen the skills and capacity of ophthalmologists remains critical to ensuring quality care reaches all communities.
The Sightsavers India Fellowship Program reflects the organisation’s long-standing commitment to eliminating avoidable blindness. Since 1970, Sightsavers India has worked towards improving eye health outcomes and has screened more than 100 million people across multiple states. Through the fellowship, the organisation aims to support young ophthalmologists at a crucial stage of their careers by helping bridge the gap between postgraduate education and independent clinical practice.
The program offers a structured and immersive learning experience spread over 18 months. Fellows begin with four months of intensive surgical training at leading institutions before undertaking a 14-month placement at a partner hospital in one of eight states — Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, or Rajasthan.
These placements are designed to strengthen the availability of skilled eye care professionals in rural and underserved regions where access to specialised ophthalmic services is often limited. Fellows gain valuable experience working in high-volume clinical settings, managing diverse cases and understanding the challenges of delivering eye care in resource-constrained environments.
Participants will benefit from one-on-one mentorship, progressive clinical and surgical exposure, leadership and management training, and opportunities to work across both hospital-based and community eye care settings. The fellowship aims to develop confident and independent practitioners capable of contributing not only to clinical excellence but also to the broader eye health ecosystem in India.
Applications are open to Indian nationals holding an MS, DNB or DO degree in Ophthalmology. The program seeks candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to learning, adaptability, professional ethics and a desire to serve communities with limited access to eye care.
Speaking on the launch of the 2026 fellowship cohort, RN Mohanty, Chief Executive Officer of Sightsavers India said, “There is a moment in every young doctor's career when training meets real responsibility and how that transition is supported makes all the difference. The Sightsavers India Fellowship is built around that moment. It equips passionate ophthalmologists with surgical excellence, confidence and grounding to deliver quality eye care where it is needed most. We look forward to welcoming the 2026 cohort and supporting them every step of the way.”
Selected fellows will receive a monthly stipend along with a range of benefits, including completion incentives, mediclaim coverage, accident insurance and professional indemnity insurance.
