Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
A five-and-a-half-year medical degree (including internship) that qualifies you to practise as a doctor in India.
Description
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is the foundational medical degree required to practise as a doctor in India. The programme spans five and a half years, including a one-year compulsory rotating internship, and covers pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects.
Students study anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, forensic medicine, community medicine and all clinical specialities — medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics & gynaecology, orthopaedics and more. The course combines rigorous classroom learning with extensive hospital-based clinical training.
After completing MBBS and registering with the Medical Council of India (now NMC), graduates can practise as general physicians, work in hospitals, or pursue postgraduate specialisation (MD/MS) through NEET-PG. It is one of the most respected and stable careers in India.
Entrance Exams
NEET-UG
National Testing Agency (NTA)
The single national entrance exam for all MBBS seats in India — government, private and deemed universities. Mandatory for admission.
AIIMS / JIPMER (now via NEET)
All India Institute of Medical Sciences / JIPMER
AIIMS and JIPMER admissions are now through NEET-UG scores; earlier they had separate entrances.
State Counselling (MCC / State quotas)
Medical Counselling Committee / State authorities
All India Quota (15%) and state quota (85%) counselling for MBBS seat allotment based on NEET rank.
FMGE (for studying abroad returnees)
National Board of Examinations (NBE)
Students who study MBBS abroad must clear the FMGE screening test to practise in India.
Job Roles
General Physician (Medical Officer)
Diagnoses and treats common illnesses, works in hospitals, clinics or primary health centres.
Junior Doctor / Resident
Provides patient care during the compulsory internship and early career in hospitals.
Specialist Doctor (after MD/MS)
Specialises in fields like cardiology, surgery, paediatrics or gynaecology after postgraduate study.
Surgeon
Performs surgical procedures after pursuing MS in a surgical speciality.
Public Health / Government Medical Officer
Works in government health services, rural healthcare and public health programmes.
Salary
Fresher (0–2 yrs)
Government hospital roles offer stability; private practice earnings vary widely.
Mid-level (3–6 yrs)
Specialisation and private practice significantly increase earnings.
Senior (7+ yrs / Specialist)
Established specialists and consultants in top hospitals earn well above this range.
Top Colleges / Institutes
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
- Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
- Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune
- JIPMER, Puducherry
- Government Medical Colleges in each state (via NEET counselling)