The MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery at Universal College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital (UCMS), Rupandehi is a postgraduate surgical residency affiliated with Tribhuvan University (TU).
The specialty follows the academic requirements of the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University (TU-IOM). The specialty-specific TU/IOM program is structured as a four-year residency designed to prepare specialists who can diagnose and manage a broad range of orthopaedic and trauma conditions.
Training combines outpatient and inpatient responsibilities, emergency management, preoperative and postoperative care, supervised operative work, academic activities, research, thesis writing, and formal examinations.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Course | MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery |
| College | Universal College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) |
| Location | Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, Nepal |
| Affiliation | Tribhuvan University |
| Academic Unit | Institute of Medicine |
| Degree | Master of Surgery (MS) |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Training | Full-time residential |
| Entrance | MECEE-PG |
| Admission Authority | Medical Education Commission |
| Prior Qualification | MBBS or equivalent |
| Experience Requirement | One year |
| Professional Registration | Nepal Medical Council for Nepalese candidates |
The MS degree is awarded after successful completion of the required training and Part III examination.
MS Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery is designed to produce specialists with sufficient knowledge and practical skills to manage orthopaedic and trauma problems safely.
The course develops understanding of fundamental surgical principles together with the basic and para-clinical sciences required for specialist practice. Residents progress from clinical assessment and emergency management to perioperative care and increasingly independent surgical responsibilities.
By the end of training, residents are expected to:
The program therefore combines specialist patient care, operative training, emergency management, teaching, and research.
Candidates must already hold a recognized primary medical qualification before entering the residency.
Eligibility: Applicants require MBBS or an equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by the Government of Nepal. Nepalese candidates must be registered with the Nepal Medical Council, while foreign applicants require registration with the appropriate medical council in their own country. The stated postgraduate eligibility also requires one year of professional experience.
Candidates must additionally secure at least 50% in the postgraduate entrance examination conducted by the Medical Education Commission to become eligible for the merit list.
MS Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery falls within the clinical postgraduate specialties for which the one-year experience requirement applies.
Admission is conducted through the Medical Education Common Entrance Examination for Postgraduate Level (MECEE-PG).
The Medical Education Commission (MEC) manages postgraduate entrance, merit, matching, seat allocation, fees, and admission procedures.
Candidates complete the required MBBS qualification, professional registration, and experience before appearing in MECEE-PG. Those meeting the required entrance result enter the applicable merit and matching process, with institutional placement determined through the postgraduate admission procedure.
Nepalese and foreign applicants appear in the common entrance examination, with separate merit lists prepared under the applicable admission rules.
The postgraduate entrance examination consists of 200 single-best-response multiple-choice questions.
| Entrance Detail | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Single best response MCQ |
| Options | Four: A, B, C, D |
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Cognitive Distribution | Recall : Understanding : Application = 30 : 50 : 20 |
| Merit Requirement | Minimum 50% |
Orthopedics carries 10 marks within the clinical section of the entrance examination.
The examination allocates 115 marks to clinical subjects and 60 marks to basic medical sciences. Community Medicine and Research Methodology carry 10 marks, Forensic Medicine carries 5 marks, and mandatory continuing professional development topics carry 10 marks.
The basic medical sciences section includes Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. Professional-development topics include medical ethics, rational use of medicines, infection prevention, BLS/ACLS, and communication skills.
The program is conducted as four years of full-time residential postgraduate training.
Residents are encouraged to become self-directed learners, while teachers and designated preceptors provide supervision and academic guidance.
Private practice is not permitted during residency. Residents take active responsibility in outpatient and inpatient services and participate directly in investigation, treatment planning, perioperative management, and continuing patient care.
The training pattern places residents on duty within the unit and requires sustained participation in clinical and academic activities.
Clinical work is central to the residency.
Residents take responsibility for investigations and the preoperative and postoperative management of orthopaedic and trauma patients. This includes both elective and emergency cases.
Operative training progresses under supervision. Residents regularly assist in major operations and gradually advance from minor procedures toward more complex operative responsibilities as their skills develop.
The program also prepares residents for resuscitation and emergency procedures involving orthopaedic and trauma patients.
This progression is important because the stated goal is not only to provide theoretical understanding but to develop specialists capable of managing a wide range of orthopaedic and trauma problems.
Residents participate actively in departmental and unit-based academic work throughout the program.
The scheduled academic activities include assigned-topic presentations, journal clubs, group discussions, bedside clinical teaching, clinico-pathological conferences, radiological demonstrations, and regular case presentations.
Basic sciences also remain part of postgraduate learning, particularly during the first year. Guidance includes areas such as Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Biostatistics, Clinical Epidemiology, Medical Ethics, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Genetics.
These subjects support clinical decision-making and the scientific understanding required for specialist surgical practice.
Assessment takes place throughout the residency rather than only at the end of the program.
Residents maintain a logbook recording day-to-day activities, participation, and performance. The logbook is reviewed and signed by the preceptor or tutor.
Clinical performance and OSCE-based assessment also contribute to continuing evaluation.
At the end of each rotation, the designated teacher assesses the resident's knowledge and performance. A resident whose performance is considered unsatisfactory is required to repeat the posting.
Internal assessment contributes 20% of the theory marks.
The final examination structure begins with Part I, which evaluates basic sciences.
The examination is conducted by the end of the first year.
| Component | Full Marks | Pass Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Theory Paper I | 100 | 50 |
| Theory Paper II | 100 | 50 |
| Oral and Practical | 200 | 100 |
Theory Paper I covers Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Clinical Epidemiology, and Medical Ethics.
Theory Paper II covers Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Biostatistics.
A maximum of three attempts is allowed for Part I. Failure in the third attempt results in discontinuation from the course under the prescribed examination rule.
Part II consists of thesis work.
The thesis subject is selected and approved by the end of the first year. The completed thesis is submitted by the end of the third year.
It is examined by one internal and one external examiner.
Acceptance of the thesis is compulsory before the resident can appear in the final examination.
Research is also one of the stated course objectives, with residents expected to undertake research related to orthopaedic and trauma problems and develop the ability to contribute academically to the specialty.
Part III takes place after completion of the four-year course, subject to successful completion of Part I and approval of the thesis.
The final assessment covers the principles and clinical practice of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery.
| Component | Full Marks | Pass Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery / Operative Surgery | 100 | 50 |
| Surgical Pathology & Surgical Management | 100 | 50 |
| Clinical Long Cases | 100 | 50 |
| Clinical Short Cases | 100 | 50 |
| Practical OSCE + Viva | 100 | 50 |
The theory papers use multiple-choice questions, short essays, or combined question formats.
Clinical assessment through long and short cases tests the resident's ability to evaluate patients and apply specialist knowledge, while OSCE and viva assess practical skills and professional understanding.
UCMS is a private medical and health-sciences institution in Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, affiliated with Tribhuvan University.
Orthopedics is among the clinical services of its associated teaching hospital, which is used for the clinical education and training of doctors and other health professionals.
UCMS also has hospital services in General Surgery, General Medicine, Radiology, Emergency Care, Anaesthesiology-related services, and other clinical specialties relevant to the wider management of surgical and trauma patients.
Current postgraduate activity at UCMS includes MD/MS residents, Tribhuvan University resident examinations, and postgraduate thesis and synopsis work.
Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery is included among UCMS postgraduate specialties requiring professional experience.
Seat allocation, however, is intake-specific and should not be treated as a permanent course characteristic. The same applies to category-wise allocation, foreign seats, fees, matching schedules, and admission dates.
Applicants should follow the applicable MEC postgraduate admission cycle for current seat and fee provisions.
The specialty-specific TU/IOM program has a duration of four years.
Applicants must hold MBBS or an equivalent medical qualification recognized by the Government of Nepal.
Yes. The stated eligibility includes one year of professional experience.
Yes. Admission is conducted through MECEE-PG and the applicable MEC merit and matching process.
Candidates must secure at least 50% in the entrance examination to become eligible for the merit list.
Yes. It is conducted as full-time residential postgraduate training.
No. Private practice is not permitted during the residency.
Yes. Residents assist in major operations and progressively move from minor toward more advanced operative responsibilities under supervision.
Yes. The thesis topic is approved by the end of the first year and the thesis is submitted by the end of the third year. It must be accepted before the final examination.
Assessment includes internal evaluation, logbook review, OSCE, basic-science examinations, thesis assessment, theory papers, long and short clinical cases, practical assessment, and viva.
