MBBS ( Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)

MBBS, which stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, is a prestigious undergraduate program that equips students with the comprehensive knowledge and skills required to practice medicine and perform surgeries. Derived from the Latin term Medicine Baccalaureus Baccalaureus Chirurgiae, MBBS is your gateway to becoming a licensed medical professional.

India boasts an impressive array of MBBS colleges, with 706 institutions offering this coveted degree. Among these, 320 are private colleges, while 386 are government institutions. The curriculum spans 5.5 years, including a 1-year compulsory internship, and covers a wide range of clinical, pre-clinical, and para-clinical subjects.

MBBS is an abbreviation for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, the fundamental undergraduate degree for aspiring doctors in India. Upon completion, individuals are qualified medical practitioners eligible for both private and public sector roles in healthcare.

The course duration is 5.5 years: 4.5 years of theoretical and clinical studies followed by a 1-year mandatory rotating internship. It is regulated by the National Medical Commission (NMC), which ensures quality standards and licensing across India. Subjects range from Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, to advanced clinical training in Surgery, Medicine, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and more.

Details Information
Course Name
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
Type
Degree
Level
Undergrade
Field
Healthcare
Eligibility
10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Course Duration
Course Duration
Average Fee
Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 6 Lakhs
Average Salary
Rs. 3L to 15L per Year
Career Opportunities
Physician, Doctor, Endocrinologist, Pathologist, Neurologist, Cardiologist, Gynaecologist
Top Recruiters
Apollo Hospitals, Fortis, AIIMS, Max Healthcare, Medanta, CMC Vellore

Fees vary widely by institution type and seat category:

  • Government Colleges: ₹2–4 Lakhs for government seats; ₹50–75 Lakhs for NRI seats

  • Deemed Universities: ₹50–90 Lakhs (management); ₹1.25–1.75 Cr (NRI)

  • Private Medical Colleges: ₹20–70 Lakhs (management); ₹1.25 Cr (NRI)

  • AIIMS/Central Universities: Under ₹1 Lakh

 

  • Highly respected and noble profession

  • Broad specialization and research opportunities

  • 100% job security in India and abroad

  • High earning potential

  • Opportunity to make impactful contributions to society

  •  

    • 10+2 with minimum 50% in PCB (40% for reserved categories)

    • Must clear NEET UG

    • Minimum age: 17 years by December 31 of admission year

    • No maximum age limit

    • Comply with NMC guidelines

The MBBS course duration is 5 years and 6 months, consisting of 4.5 years of academic study followed by a 1-year compulsory internship. The internship includes rotations at hospitals, health centres, and camps.

  • Patience

  • Empathy

  • Critical Thinking

  • Attention to Detail

  • Physical Stamina

  • Effective Communication

NEET UG is mandatory for all MBBS admissions across India. Other exams like AIIMS and JIPMER are no longer valid.

MBBS admission cut-offs are based on:

  • NEET exam difficulty

  • Number of applicants

  • Seat availability

  • Reservation category

MBBS students are encouraged to undertake academic and research-based projects to enhance their understanding of human biology, clinical medicine, and public health. These projects promote evidence-based learning and critical thinking, and often become the foundation for research careers or specializations.

Popular MBBS Project Topics:

  • Comparative Study of Antibiotic Resistance in Urban vs Rural Settings

  • Role of Telemedicine in Post-Pandemic Healthcare

  • Prevalence of Hypertension Among Adolescents

  • Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Medical Students

  • Vaccine Awareness and Hesitancy in India

  • Clinical Audit of Prescription Patterns in a Tertiary Hospital

  • Nutritional Deficiencies and Academic Performance in School-Aged Children

  • Epidemiology and Prevention of Lifestyle Diseases

These reference books are essential for medical students to grasp both foundational and clinical subjects throughout the MBBS program. Authored by globally renowned physicians and medical educators, they are widely prescribed in Indian and international medical colleges.

Name of the Books Authors
Gray’s Anatomy
Henry Gray
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology
Arthur C. Guyton & John E. Hall
Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease
Kumar, Abbas & Aster
Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry
Denise Ferrier

Any aspirants wanting to take BAMS admission in any colleges offering BAMS course in India will be done only through NEET Score. Since National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the only entrance examination across India, no other exam is conducted for admission to BAMS course in India. NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). To get the BAMS admission, aspirants should appear for NEET.

  • Registration for Entrance: Aspirants should register by logging into the web portal, entering personal details like applicant name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, etc.
  • Form Filling and Documents Upload: After registration, candidates fill the application form online providing personal and academic details and upload required documents.
  • Payment of NEET Application Fee: Candidates pay the application fee after form submission.
  • Download Confirmation Page: Printout of the application form and confirmation page is taken once the status is confirmed.
  • Admit Card: Admit cards are issued to eligible candidates based on submitted records.
  • Entrance Exams: Candidates appear for the entrance exams and qualify to get a merit rank.
  • Counselling: Conducted by AYUSH Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC) for All India Quota and other seats as per state authorities. Candidates choose colleges based on rank.

Post-MBBS, candidates can pursue MD, MS, or DNB in various specializations based on personal interests and NEET PG rank. Some of the top MBBS specializations include:

  • General Medicine

  • General Surgery

  • Pediatrics

  • Dermatology

  • Orthopedics

  • Radiology

  • Psychiatry

  • Cardiology

  • Neurology

  • Gastroenterology

  • Emergency Medicine

  • Oncology

  • Pulmonary Medicine

 

What after BAMS?

Individuals holding a BAMS degree are recognized as doctors and eligible to establish private practices. After completing exams and a 12-month internship, graduates receive the Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery degree.

What Comes Next After BAMS?

After internship, graduates can begin practicing as doctors. BAMS opens doors to government and private sector jobs, or further studies such as MD (Siddha), postgraduate diplomas, or doctorate programs. Opportunities also include clinical research and public health master’s degrees.

Career Opportunities Beyond Borders

Graduates find jobs in India and abroad, especially in manufacturing, research, government hospitals, retail Siddha medicine outlets, teaching, and clinics. Popular job titles include Siddha Drug Specialist, Medical Representative, Pharmacist, and more.

Job Opportunities Abroad for BAMS Graduates

Many foreign countries are adopting alternative medicine including Ayurveda and Siddha. This expands opportunities for BAMS graduates internationally. With the right skills, they can find success in nations embracing non-allopathic medicinal practices.

MBBS Doctors Salary: What to Expect

MBBS is a relatively new course in India gaining prominence, with increasing candidates every year. The average salary of MBBS graduates ranges between INR 3-5 LPA (Source: Payscale). Below are some common job roles and their average annual salaries:

Job Role Average Annual Salary
Drug Safety Officer
INR 4.6 LPA
Medical Consultant
INR 7.2 LPA
Research Assistant (Medical)
INR 3.5 LPA
Clinical Research Associate
INR 3.4 LPA
Pathologist
INR 10 LPA

Government roles in various sectors offer lucrative salary packages for BAMS graduates. Hiring typically involves entrance exams and interviews. Common employers include National Ayush Mission, National Rural Health Mission, public hospitals, and academic institutions.

Job Role Average Annual Salary
Drug Safety Officer
INR 4.6 LPA
Medical Consultant
INR 7.2 LPA
Research Assistant (Medical)
INR 3.5 LPA
Community Health Worker
INR 2.3 LPA

The private sector offers diverse opportunities, including healthcare, blogging, social media, and drug control sectors. The average salary is between INR 3-5 LPA. Some common job roles include:

Job Role Average Annual Salary
Medical Consultant
INR 7.2 LPA
Medical Assistant
INR 3.5 LPA
Clinical Research Associate
INR 3.4 LPA
Pathologist
INR 10 LPA

  •  

    • AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)

    • Apollo Hospitals

    • Max Healthcare

    • Fortis Healthcare

    • Medanta – The Medicity

    • Indian Armed Forces (AMC)

    • State and Central Government Hospitals

    • WHO, UNICEF, ICMR, and NGOs

This list is based on student priority in AACCC counselling from recent years.

Rank College Name Established Year
1
AIIMS, New Delhi
1956
2
Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
1959
3
VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
2001
4
Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune
1948
5
JIPMER, Puducherry
1956
6
King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow
1911
7
Madras Medical College, Chennai
1835
8
Grant Medical College, Mumbai
1845
9
Stanley Medical College, Chennai
1938
10
Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi
1960

Need More Information?

You can download the official MBBS course guidelines as a pdf.

📄 Download MBBS PDF Guide