Senior Consultant, Gynaecological Surgical Oncology, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi
Part 11 of 12 in Role of Minimally Invasive Surgeries in Gynaecologic Oncology
Becoming a Robotic Gynaecologic Oncology Surgeon: The Training Path
August 27, 2026
Dr. Alka Dahiya finds, and says many other surgeons agree, that robotic surgery is actually easier to train into than laparoscopic surgery, particularly for those already confident in open surgery.
Three levels, supported by Intuitive
India's training pathway runs in three steps. Level 1 is simulation, where trainees practise on a system before ever touching a live patient and receive certification on completion. Level 2 requires 30 to 50 procedures completed independently or under supervision. Level 3 is advanced training in specialist and sub-specialty procedures. Dr. Dahiya herself has performed around 300 robotic surgeries and began feeling confident after roughly 50; her broader guidance in the masterclass is that surgical mastery builds somewhere between 25 and 50 hysterectomies performed robotically.
No need to learn laparoscopy first
There is no requirement to train in laparoscopic surgery before moving to robotics. Surgeons coming from an open surgery background can transition directly, though prior exposure to minimally invasive surgery does help. A trained bedside assistant, who supports the docking and undocking process, matters during this learning curve. Most surgeons gain confidence within a year of focused training.
The prerequisite: a surgical background
Entry into robotic training in India requires an MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology or an MS in General Surgery, with at least some exposure to procedures such as LSCS. Without that foundation in operative anatomy and principles, Dr. Dahiya considers the transition very difficult. She notes that requirements differ by country.
A fellowship seat at BLK-Max
BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital takes two robotic fellows every year, one in surgical oncology and one specifically in robotic gynaecologic oncology, each for a one-year fellowship in minimally invasive surgical oncology. Doctors interested in applying can raise it through Jivo Healthcare, who will share the selection criteria and full application process with BLK-Max directly.
This guide is based on a live Jivo Masterclass — Dr. Alka Dahiya taught doctors across Africa on March 29, 2026.
FROM THE LIVE Q&A
Dr. William
What is the average cost of a robotic surgery, for example a robotic hysterectomy for endometriosis?
Dr. Alka Dahiya
Cost depends on the exact procedure. For endometriosis surgery, whether it involves removing the uterus or only a cystectomy changes the figure, but in Indian currency the cost is typically 4 to 5 lakhs, roughly 4,000 to 5,000 US dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
For someone coming from a general medicine background in gynaecology rather than a surgical one, what is the process for training in robotic surgery in India?▼
A basic surgical background is required. Admission into a robotic training course in India requires an MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology or MS in General Surgery, with at minimum some exposure to procedures such as LSCS, so the surgeon understands the underlying operative anatomy and principles. Without that foundation, the transition is very difficult. Requirements vary by country, and it would be worth checking what pathways exist locally.
How long does it take to train to become competent in robotic surgery, what does that training cost, and is it necessary to train in laparoscopy first?▼
It is definitely possible to train in robotics directly, and many surgeons find it easier to learn than laparoscopic surgery, especially if they are already comfortable with open surgery. India has a three-step pathway supported by Intuitive: Level 1 is simulation-based certification, Level 2 requires 30 to 50 procedures completed independently or under supervision, and Level 3 is advanced training. There is no requirement to learn laparoscopy first, though prior exposure helps. Most surgeons gain confidence within a year of focused training, with a trained bedside assistant supporting the docking and undocking process.
Is it possible to visit your centre for training, or to join a fellowship there?▼
Yes. BLK-Max takes two robotic fellows every year, one in surgical oncology and one specifically in gynaecologic oncology, each for a one-year fellowship in minimally invasive robotic surgical oncology. The full application procedure and selection criteria would be shared afterward through the Jivo Healthcare team.
What is the average cost of a robotic surgery, for example a robotic hysterectomy for endometriosis?▼
Cost depends on the exact procedure. For endometriosis surgery, whether it involves removing the uterus or only a cystectomy changes the figure, but in Indian currency the cost is typically 4 to 5 lakhs, roughly 4,000 to 5,000 US dollars.
What are the three levels of robotic surgery training, and what does each require?▼
Level 1 is simulation, where trainees practise on a system and receive certification. Level 2 requires 30 to 50 procedures completed independently or under supervision. Level 3 is advanced training in specialist and sub-specialty procedures.
How many robotic hysterectomies does it typically take to reach surgical mastery?▼
Surgical mastery builds somewhere between 25 and 50 hysterectomies performed robotically. Dr. Dahiya herself began feeling confident after roughly her 50th case, out of the more than 300 she has since performed.
How many robotic fellowship seats does BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital offer each year, and how are they structured?▼
BLK-Max takes two robotic fellows every year, one in surgical oncology and one specifically in robotic gynaecologic oncology, each for a one-year fellowship in minimally invasive surgical oncology.
In This Series: Role of Minimally Invasive Surgeries in Gynaecologic Oncology
- 1.Robotic Surgery in Gynaecologic Oncology
- 2.The Da Vinci System: Why It Outperforms Laparoscopy in Gynaecologic Oncology
- 3.Patient Positioning and Why Manipulators Are Left Out of Cancer Cases
- 4.When Robotic Surgery Is the Right Call for Benign Gynaecological Disease
- 5.Choosing Cancer Patients for Robotic Surgery: The Rules That Cannot Bend
- 6.The Operating Room Rules That Don't Change With the Platform
- 7.ICG-Guided Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection: Sparing a Full Pelvic Clearance
- 8.Four Cases: How Robotic Surgery Changed the Surgical Outcome
- 9.The Data Behind the Claims: 331 Patients Across Two BLK-Max Studies
- 10.What Robotic Surgery Still Costs, in Money and in Time
- 11.Becoming a Robotic Gynaecologic Oncology Surgeon: The Training Path
- 12.What Comes Next: Da Vinci 5, AI and the Single Port