Why this guide — who it helps

If you’re a Kolkata resident, caregiver, student or a person from a neighbouring district searching for free or subsidised specialist care, this guide compiles practical, usable details about the major government hospitals in Kolkata: where they are, their usual OPD windows, the departments they’re known for, and sample names of consultants who appear on published OPD rosters. This is not a dry directory — it’s written to help you plan an OPD visit, choose the right hospital for your problem, and understand how to navigate government outpatient care efficiently.

Quick at-a-glance comparison

Hospital	Location (neighbourhood)	Typical OPD window	Notable specialties
IPGMER & SSKM Hospital (IPGME&R)	A.J.C. Bose Road / Bhowanipore	Mostly 09:00–14:00 (special clinics vary)	Cardiology, Nephrology/Transplant, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology. ipgmer.gov.in+1
Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital (NRS)	A.J.C. Bose / Sealdah area	Doctor-wise OPDs — check roster (many run mornings)	Medicine, OBGYN, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Dermatology. NRSMC
R. G. Kar Medical College & Hospital	Central/College Street area	Most OPDs run morning to early afternoon	Surgery, Medicine, ENT, Ophthalmology. RGK Armch
Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata (Calcutta Medical College)	College Street	Morning OPD (often 08:30–12:00) — check weekly roster	Wide tertiary specialties (cardiology, neurology, pediatrics). medicalcollegekolkata.in+1
Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI)	Hazra & Newtown campuses	Specialty oncology OPDs — appointment systems used	Medical, Surgical & Radiation Oncology. CNCI
Bangur Institute of Neurosciences (BIN)	Associated with IPGMER campus	Neuroscience-specific OPD schedules (doctor-wise)	Neurology, Neurosurgery, Stroke & Neurorehab. ipgmer.gov.in+1
ESI Hospital, Maniktala	Maniktala	Department-wise OPD schedule (see ESI page)	Medicine, Surgery, G&O, Eye, Nephrology, Dermatology, Dental. esiwb.gov.in
Dr. B.C. Roy Memorial Hospital for Children	Kankurgachi	Paediatric OPD & 24×7 emergency pediatric services	Pediatrics, Neonatology, Pediatric Surgery. drbcroypgips.org
M.R. Bangur (Mental Health / TB & chest specialist units)	(various government psychiatric & chest centers across Kolkata)	Department specific	Psychiatry, Chest/TB services (varies by facility)

Detailed profiles — major government hospitals (deep dives)

Below you’ll find hospital-by-hospital profiles. Each profile contains: short history/why you might go there, practical OPD timing guidance (from official rosters), major departments, sample doctor names (taken from published OPD schedules), contact basics and patient tips.

1) IPGMER & SSKM Hospital (Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research & Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital)

Why go here: IPGMER (SSKM) is one of Kolkata’s largest tertiary government hospitals — a referral centre for complex medical problems, transplants, advanced cardiology and neurology care. It is a teaching hospital that also runs many specialty clinics and superspecialty services. ipgmer.gov.in+1

Address & contact (official site): IPGME&R / SSKM — A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata. The institute website provides contact pages and departmental details. ipgmer.gov.in

OPD timings (how they typically work):

• Standard OPD window across many departments: 09:00 AM to 02:00 PM (unless the specialty specifies otherwise).
• IPGMER publishes a detailed OPD schedule and separate PDFs for Special Clinics (geriatric clinic, transplant follow-ups, cardiac-diabetology clinics, dermatology aesthetic sessions, etc.). Many of these special clinics run on particular weekdays and sometimes in afternoon hours. Always check the IPGMER Special Clinics page or the OPD Schedule PDF before visiting. ipgmer.gov.in+1

Key departments & what they offer:

• Cardiology & Cardiothoracic Surgery: tertiary cardiac care and cath lab services; good for acute cardiac referrals.
• Nephrology & Renal Transplant: inpatient dialysis and transplant-related clinics.
• Neurology & Neurosurgery: advanced neurocare; linked with the Bangur neurosciences unit for comprehensive stroke and surgical care.
• Endocrinology & Diabetology, Gastroenterology, Clinical Immunology/Rheumatology, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Orthopedics. ipgmer.gov.in+1

Sample doctors (from IPGME&R OPD PDFs):

• The official IPGMER OPD Schedule PDF lists numerous faculty by specialty — for example endocrinology, rheumatology, neurology and special clinics names are present in the published schedule (use the OPD Schedule PDF to find the exact day-by-day list). Example names from the OPD PDF include senior professors and consultant names for each department. ipgmer.gov.in+1

Patient tips for IPGMER/SSKM:

• Expect large crowds — arrive early if you need a numbered OPD ticket (ticket counters open early).
• If you need a special clinic (e.g., transplant, geriatric, diabetic-cardiology), check the Special Clinics page which lists the clinic timing and location inside the hospital. ipgmer.gov.in

2) Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital (NRS)

Why go here: NRS is a major government medical college hospital serving central Kolkata; it publishes a doctor-wise OPD schedule which is very useful to plan visits to a particular consultant. NRSMC

Address & contact: 138, A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata — official contact numbers and email are on the NRS site. NRSMC

OPD timings and how to use the roster:

• NRS posts a doctor-wise OPD doctors list on its site — it shows which doctor runs which clinic on which weekday (e.g., Acupuncture: Dr. Pradip Kumar Das — Mon–Sat). This is ideal when you need to see a named specialist. Always check the NRS OPD page for the latest list. NRSMC

Key departments:

• Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Orthopedics, Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, plus specialty clinics like arthritis & rheumatology and artificial limb centre. NRSMC

Sample names from the roster:

• Dr. Pradip Kumar Das — Acupuncture clinic.
• Dr. Sourav Pradhan — Arthritis & Rheumatology.
  (For the precise day-by-day schedule, consult NRS’s OPD schedule page.) NRSMC

Patient tips:

• Use the doctor-wise roster to plan your day — this reduces wasted travel and waiting. Bring previous OPD slips and test reports for faster consultation.

3) R. G. Kar Medical College & Hospital

Why go here: A long-standing government medical college with full OPDs and strong surgical and clinical departments. It caters to a large patient load and is integrated with state OPD ticketing in many cases. RGK Armch

OPD timings & roster:

• RG Kar publishes an OPD schedule showing departments and the consultants assigned for each weekday — typical OPD hours are morning to early afternoon. Many patients use state online ticketing portals for day tickets. RGK Armch+1

Key departments: General Surgery, Medicine, Orthopedics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Pediatrics and allied specialties.

Sample doctors / structure:

• RG Kar’s OPD schedule lists named consultants for antenatal care, surgical units, medicine units etc. Example entries show professor-level clinicians and unit allocation — check the official RG Kar OPD page for up-to-date names and days. RGK Armch

Patient tips:

• If you want to meet a specific professor, note the day assigned in the OPD schedule. Some clinics operate under a unit system — you may see the on-duty unit consultant rather than a single named professor.

4) Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata (Calcutta Medical College)

Why go here: One of Asia’s oldest medical colleges; the attached hospital has extensive OPD services and professor-led clinics. Many specialty OPDs run on fixed days. medicalcollegekolkata.in

OPD timings (typical):

• General OPD windows are commonly 08:30–12:00 (Monday to Saturday) with registration windows published on the hospital/outdoor page; specialty clinics list consultant names and days. Check the outdoor page for current weekly schedules. Krishak Bandhu Status+1

Key departments: Cardiology, Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Neurology, Pediatrics, Nephrology, Medicine, etc.

Sample doctor information and roster use:

• The Outdoor/OPD page lists Sishu Saathi pediatric clinics, adolescent health clinics, leukemia clinics and named faculty — use the roster to find the right day to attend. medicalcollegekolkata.in

Patient tips:

• College Street area is busy — allow time for parking or use public transport. Keep official ID and old prescriptions ready for faster registration.

5) Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI)

Why go here: CNCI is the government apex cancer institute for Eastern India; it is the go-to public facility for oncology diagnostics, medical oncology, surgical oncology and radiation therapy. The institute operates appointment systems for many OPD services. CNCI

OPD timing and appointment:

• CNCI runs separate OPD schedules for medical oncology, surgical oncology and radiation oncology. The institute’s official website provides appointment and patient information. Where possible, use CNCI’s online appointment or check the OPD roster to reduce waiting time. CNCI+1

Key departments: Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Pediatric Oncology, Palliative Care and full pathology & imaging services supporting cancer care.

Patient tip:

• Cancer OPDs have tight schedules — try to secure appointments online or via hospital helplines to reduce wait and ensure access to chemotherapy/radiation slots.

6) Bangur Institute of Neurosciences (BIN) / Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata (I-NK)

Why go here: Dedicated neuroscience outpatient and inpatient services — valuable for stroke, epilepsies, neurosurgical problems and complex neurology cases. The Bangur Institute OPD schedule (published PDFs) lists neurologists and neurosurgeons by day. ipgmer.gov.in+1

OPD scheduling:

• BIN publishes a detailed OPD schedule PDF listing which professor/consultant is available on which week/day for neuro-medicine and neurosurgery clinics. This is useful when you need a specific specialist. ipgmer.gov.in

Key departments & sample names:

• Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neurorehabilitation. The OPD schedule names faculty such as Prof. B.K. Roy, Prof. A. Pandit and others in the published roster — consult the PDF for day-specific information. ipgmer.gov.in+1

7) ESI Hospital, Maniktala (Employees’ State Insurance hospital)

Why go here: ESI hospitals provide care for insured workers and their families — Maniktala ESI is a known facility in Kolkata with a department-wise OPD schedule. esiwb.gov.in+1

OPD timings & departments:

• ESI Maniktala publishes an OPD time schedule — departments include Medicine, Surgery, Cardiology, ENT, Anaesthesia, Psychiatry, G&O, Eye, Nephrology, Skin, Dental and Urology among others on scheduled days. Check the ESI state page for the Maniktala OPD table. esiwb.gov.in+1

Patient tips:

• ESI services are primarily for beneficiaries under the ESI scheme — check eligibility and required documents before visiting.

8) Dr. B.C. Roy Memorial Hospital for Children (B.C. Roy PGIPS)

Why go here: One of Kolkata’s main paediatric government hospitals with 24×7 emergency pediatric services and specialty pediatric clinics. It’s the main government referral center for children’s health. drbcroypgips.org

OPD & emergency:

• The hospital maintains regular pediatric OPD clinics and has emergency services round-the-clock. For routine outpatient visits, check the hospital’s official site for current OPD times and faculty lists. drbcroypgips.org

Patient tips:

• Paediatric emergencies are prioritized — bring child immunization records and identity proof.

9) M.R. Bangur and related chest/psychiatric specialist government units

Kolkata has a number of government-run chest hospitals, TB clinics and psychiatric facilities named after public figures (including various Bangur centers). Availability, OPD timing and exact departments vary by the specific campus — consult the specific facility’s page for exact schedules. For neurosciences/mental health issues some services are integrated within larger hospitals (IPGMER/Bangur, Medical College, etc.).

How to use official OPD schedules efficiently — step-by-step

1. Find the hospital’s OPD/Outdoor page (links provided in this guide). Government colleges/hospitals usually publish a PDF or a webpage listing department-wise and doctor-wise rosters. ipgmer.gov.in+2NRSMC+2
2. Check doctor-wise lists if you need a specific consultant. Many hospitals (NRS, RG Kar, IPGMER) publish doctor-wise lists so you can attend on the day the consultant is available. NRSMC+2RGK Armch+2
3. Use online ticketing if available. West Bengal’s state OPD ticket portals integrate several government hospitals; this saves queuing time. AIIMS Registration+1
4. Bring past records and IDs. Old prescriptions, discharge slips and government ID speed up registration.
5. Arrive early for high-volume OPDs. At SSKM, R.G. Kar and Medical College, patient footfall is very high—arrive well before OPD start time if you need a ticket. ipgmer.gov.in+1

Practical advice for first-time OPD visitors to government hospitals in Kolkata

• Plan using the roster: If you need a specific specialist, use hospital rosters to plan the weekday. This reduces multiple trips. NRSMC+1
• Expect a long day: OPD consultations in busy government hospitals can take time because of high volume; keep water, medications and documents.
• Lab & imaging on site: Most major hospitals provide in-house laboratory and imaging services; however, turnaround times vary — schedule blood tests early in the day.
• Medicines & concession schemes: Many government hospitals dispense free or subsidised medicines; check patient notices for availability. CNCI
• Emergency vs Outpatient: For emergencies (e.g., chest pain, severe trauma) go to emergency/ casualty departments rather than OPD. Most hospitals have 24×7 emergency departments even if OPDs are morning-only. Krishak Bandhu Status

FAQs (optimised for featured snippets)

Q: What time do government hospital OPDs in Kolkata usually start?
A: Most government OPDs begin their outdoor consultations in the morning (commonly between 08:30–09:00) and run until early afternoon (often 12:00–14:00) — however special clinics may run at different times; always check the hospital’s OPD page or PDF. ipgmer.gov.in+1

Q: Can I see the exact doctor’s name for a department before I go?
A: Yes — many government hospitals (NRS, RG Kar, IPGMER) publish doctor-wise OPD schedules listing consultant names and the weekday they attend. Consulting that roster is the best way to meet a specific doctor. NRSMC+1

Q: Are online OPD tickets available for these hospitals?
A: Some government hospitals in West Bengal are integrated with online OPD ticketing portals (search for the hospital name and “OPD ticket booking” to find the state portal pages). Using online tickets reduces wait time. AIIMS Registration+1

Q: Where can I find the SSKM OPD schedule?
A: IPGMER & SSKM publishes an OPD schedule PDF and a Special Clinics web page with department-wise timings and clinic lists — check their official site’s OPD section.