The standard entry-to-practice degree in modern evidence-based medicine in India is the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). Alternative systems of Medicine in India are Ayurveda (BAMS), Unani (BUMS), Siddha (BSMS) and Homeopathy (BHMS). M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) a credential earned upon completion of a five-and-a-half-year undergraduate program. The curriculum is divided into one year of preclinical studies in general science subjects and three and a half years of paraclinical and clinical studies, followed by a one-year clinical internship. Before beginning the internship, students are required to pass several examinations, the final one of which is conducted in two parts. Postgraduate education in medical specialties typically takes 3 additional years of study after the MBBS and concludes with the award of a Master of Surgery or Doctor of Medicine (MD). Postgraduate diplomas in medical specialities may also be awarded upon the completion of two-year training programs. After that a person can further get a degree in superspeciality (D.M. or M.Ch.) in his or her respective branch after successful completion of 3 years of superspeciality in a medical college.
India has various ancient systems of medicine that long predate the introduction of modern evidence based medicine during British colonial rule. Ancient Indian system of medicine is referred to as Ayurveda (Science of life). All traditional systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (collectively referred to as AYUSH) are common forms of medical care in India, especially in rural regions. While these forms of medicine also play a major role in India's public health care system along with modern system of medicine and are often practiced informally, practitioners are officially mandated to be licensed by one of the country's 29 state medical councils. Professional degree programs in traditional systems are structured similarly: Credentials like the Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), the Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) are awarded upon the completion of five-and-a-half-year undergraduate programs. Graduation typically requires passing annual examinations and completing a final one-year clinical internship. Graduate education in medical specialties typically takes three additional year of studies After BAMS And BHMS And conclude with Award of Master of Ayurveda (BAMS MD/MS (AYU)) And Master of Homeopathy (BHMS MD(HOMEO)). In BAMS Postgraduate diplomas in medical specializations may also be awarded upon the completion of two-year training programs.
In terms of oversight, Ayush system of medical Education regulated by a separate ministry CCIM (Central Council Of Indian Medicine) and CCH (Central Council of Homeopathy. Modern system of medicine MCI (Medical Council of India) or the new National Medical Commission.
Colleges and Universities
In India, a medical college is an educational institution that provides medical education. These institutions may vary from stand-alone colleges that train doctors to conglomerates that offer training related in all aspects of medical care. The term is synonymous with "medical school" as used in the US and some other countries. MBBS is a degree in Modern Scientific Medicine established by Indian Medical Council Act 1956 and continued in National Medical Commission Act 2019. After MBBS, they register with state medical councils. Indian law requires these institutions to be recognized by the National Medical Commission.Medical Council of India: Home Page The Indian government keeps an updated list of these approved medical colleges. Many Persons without MBBS degrees practice like doctors in India. They are called quacks. According to National Medical Commission Act 2019, punishment for quackery has been enhanced to up to 1 year imprisonment and up to Rs. 5 lakh fine.
Admissions Admissions to courses in Medical Colleges of India have been streamlined in the last few years. There criteria vary from one country to other. For example, applicants should be undergraduates when they apply to American universities while they pursue bachelor's degrees when they apply to China medical colleges. The whole admission process is under a major reform with ongoing court cases from parties against it. In general, admission was based on one of the following:
Marks obtained in the competitive examinations conducted at central level (NEET) Minimum 50%(for general category) Marks obtained in PCB (P stands for physics, C stands for chemistry and B stands for biology) in the final examinations of Std. XII. Donation/Management based seats.
Similarly for Post-graduate degrees and diplomas (residencies) the competitive examinations conducted at central (NEET) level forms the basis for admission or donation based seats. Specific institutions may also require a personal interview of the candidate but this is more in cases of sub-specialty courses.
These donation based seats have come under heavy criticism because this makes effectively India the only country that authorises, as official policy, the sale of medical seats by private medical colleges, implicitly accepting the principle that the ability to pay, and not merit, is what counts. These illegal capitation fees range from to for a MBBS seat. For any medical seat a student from general category should minimum have scored 50 percentile in NEET UG to get seat in UG courses. But medical colleges in states like Kerala, require minimum marks / ranks in their respective competitive entrance exams even for the management seats.
In order to reduce stress of multiple examinations and ensuring minimum competence and importantly with the purpose to weed out corruption in medical education across the country NTA-NEET-UG and NEET-PG were first proposed in the Vision 2015 by Board of Governors (BOGs) appointed after by Government of India after dissolution of MCI.NEET examination is a single window for entry into a medical college. Although specifics of implemented NEET for UG and PG courses are different from what was proposed in Vision 2015 document, it has essentially maintained its core purpose.
Entrance examinations were conducted by the following agencies and abolished in 2019: AIIMS Entrance Exams – All India Institute of Medical Science NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) - National Testing Agency (NTA) JIPMER Entrance Exams – Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research
Undergraduate Admission NTA-NEET (Undergraduate), for MBBS and BDS courses, was conducted in 2013 by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). NEET-UG replaced the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) and all individual MBBS exams conducted by states or colleges themselves. However, many colleges and institutes took a stay order and conducted private examinations for admission to their MBBS and BDS courses. Nevertheless, many other reputed institutes such as the Armed Forces Medical College and Banaras Hindu University have opted to admit students on the basis of the NEET-UG. The first exam was held on 5 May 2013, and the results were announced on 5 June 2013. In India, there is a huge competition to qualify for an MBBS seat. In NEET-UG 2024, among the registered candidates, a total of 2,406,079 candidates were eligible to appear in the NEET-UG, 2024, out of which 2,333,297 candidates appeared in the test and 1,316,268 candidates qualified the test for 108,915 seats. This makes a 4.52% appearing the exam to securing a seat success rate, and around 2.32% appearing the exam to securing a seat success rate for government medical colleges.
On 18 July 2013 the Indian Supreme Court struck down the NEET exam with a 2:1 decision. The Medical Council of India has appealed for a review in August 2013, in may of 2016 supreme court of India cancelled all medical exams and NEET (UG) and NEET (PG) becomes an only way to get admission in almost all medical colleges of India. From 2019 NEET Examinations are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Postgraduate Admission Similarly for Post graduation courses (residencies), the NBE NEET (PG) is the most popular eligibility cum entrance examination for MD/MS and post-graduate diploma courses. This effectively replaced the existing AIPGMEE and similar state level exams for entry into post-graduate courses. The first NEET (PG) was conducted by the National Board of Examinations from 23 November – 6 December 2012, which was referred to as the testing window (with 24th, 25th, 28 November and 2 December as non-testing days). The test was a computer-based test unlike the traditional paper and pen based test AIIMS had been conducting over years for admission to 50% all India quota Post graduate courses in the country. In all, 90,377 candidates took the exam.
In addition to NEET-PG, The INI CET (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test) is another significant examination conducted in India for admission to postgraduate medical courses. It is a combined entrance test for MD, MS, MCh (3–6 years), DM (3–6 years), and MDS courses in various Institutes of National Importance (INIs) like AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS.
The INI CET was introduced to streamline the admission process to these prestigious institutions, replacing the separate entrance exams that were previously conducted by each institute. The INI CET is conducted twice a year, typically in January and July sessions.
This examination is computer-based and consists of multiple-choice questions that cover a wide range of topics related to the medical field. The INI CET is known for its rigorous standard and high competition, as it opens doors to some of the most sought-after postgraduate medical programs in India. Candidates who score well in the INI CET are eligible for admission to various specialties in the participating INIs, making it a crucial step for those pursuing advanced medical education.
Superspeciality Course Admission Similarly for Superspeciality courses (residencies), the NBE NEET (SS) is the most popular eligibility cum entrance examination for DM/MCh. This successfully replaced other exams conducted for superspeciality course admission. In addition to NEET-SS, another important examination for post-graduate medical courses in India is the INI-SS (Institute of National Importance Super Specialty) exam. The INI-SS is conducted for admission to various DM, MCh, and MD (Hospital Administration) courses in prestigious institutes like AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS, which are designated as Institutes of National Importance (INIs).
The INI-SS exam is held twice a year and is designed to select candidates for super-specialty programs. It is a computer-based test, much like the NEET-PG, and includes questions that assess candidates' knowledge and aptitude for advanced medical and surgical training. This exam is considered the most competitive and challenging in the medical field due to the high standards and limited seats available in the INIs.
Admission for Foreign nationals Apart AIIMS non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin (NRI) quotas in different government as well as private colleges, Government of India has also allocated a number of seats for students from developing countries where facilities for medical education are either inadequate. The exact number and country-based allocation of these reserved seats may vary annually.
Students seeking admission to the reserved seats are required to apply through the Indian missions abroad or through the diplomatic missions of the respective countries in India. The Indian Embassy or High Commission in a country will be able to provide more information on request. The requirement for an entrance is usually waived for such sponsored candidates.