Medical Science Studies in India

The field of medicine in India is one with a leading reputation all over the world. The medical profession offers good job opportunities with a handsome salary and is one of the most respected professions in the country. Other than MBBS, there are various allied degrees in this field that one can pursue according to their interest and ability. Most of them are described here with a guide to enter the field of medical sciences in India.

National Entrance Eligibility Test

NEET is an all-India test conducted by the National Testing Agency annually to enter students in medical sciences in both government and private institutions. NEET-UG is a single test for admissions to more than 66,000 MBBS and BDS seats across India. After 2019, NEET was made a common test for AIIMS, JIPMER and other institutions conducted separately before.

The exam pattern consists of 200 questions, and the syllabus includes the complete course of 11 and 12 in physics, chemistry, and biology as followed by NCERT.

The counselling is held both at the national level and state level. According to the ranks achieved at all Indian levels, the students can choose their college to pursue MBBS/BDS/BAMS/BHMS.

Degree Courses Offered in Medical Science

Most of the courses mentioned below can be entered through NEET; some courses require entrance tests from particular institutions where one aspires to take admission.

MBBS

MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is the first choice of practically all applicants interested in pursuing a career in medicine. The degree is a combination of two professional courses of medicine and surgery:

• 4-year professional undergraduate course
• 12-month rotatory internship extra

BAMS

Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery graduates can practice similarly to an MBBS graduate after registration. The course includes the complete knowledge of ashtanga Ayurveda in collaboration with modern medicine.

• 4.5 year professional undergraduate course
• 12-month rotatory internship extra

BHMS

Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery involves the study of homeopathy medicine along with the treatment. The course can be followed by specialisation in a branch of your choice like psychiatry, paediatrics, medicine, etc.

• 5-year professional undergraduate course
• 12-month rotatory internship extra

BPT

Bachelor of Physiotherapy or BPT is a discipline of medicine concerned with studying physical mobility and the prevention of impairments of any sort.

• 4-year professional undergraduate course
• 6-month rotatory internship extra

B.VSc

Bachelor in Veterinary Sciences involves academic and practical knowledge of diagnosis and prevention of disease, disorder, and injury in animals.

• 5-year professional undergraduate course
• 6-month internship extra

BUMS

Bachelors in Unani Medicine and Surgery is a professional undergraduate degree that deals with knowledge and practice of holistic treatment of humans that involves mind, body, and soul.

• 5-year professional undergraduate course
• 6-month rotatory internship extra

BSMS

Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery is the most ancient knowledge of medicine in the history of the AYUSH system.

• 4.5-year professional undergraduate course
• 12-month rotatory internship extra

BNYS

Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga is also a professional undergraduate program with a duration of 4.5 years. It is a field of integrative medicine covering both naturopathic medicine and modern science.

• 4.5 year professional undergraduate course
• 12-month rotatory internship extra

Criteria for Admissions

Admission to courses in medical colleges in India has been streamlined over the years, and a few of them are characteristics of the medical sciences field. In general, admissions in medical schools in India is based on one of the following:

• Marks obtained in competitive examinations conducted at the Central level (NEET)
• Minimum 50% (for General Category) marks obtained in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) in the final examinations of 12th Std in the Senior Secondary Curriculum
• Reservations based on category for SC, ST, EWS, and recently-added COVID warrior
• Admissions are based on government seats and Management-based seats; recently, NRI seats have also been introduced in many colleges, which require depositing fees in foreign currency

Some states have their examination for admission at the state level in their government and private universities. Some courses in medical sciences can be pursued even without participating in the NEET exam. These can be occupational therapy, microbiology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, psychology, etc. If their interest permits, one can also go into the field of research in medical sciences, which sometimes includes basic educational degrees such as B.Sc.

Top Institutes in India

A few of the leading prestigious institutes in India for medical sciences are –

1. All India Institute of Medical Science, Delhi
2. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry
3. CMC, Vellore
4. Government Medical College in Gujarat
5. King George Medical College in Lucknow
6. Vardhman Medical College in Delhi

Good colleges in other fields like veterinary AYUSH are different; a few of them are –

1. Institute of medical sciences BHU in Varanasi
2. National Institute of Ayurveda in Rajasthan
3. Veterinary college in Karnataka

Conclusion

India houses many prestigious institutes with top-quality education and practical knowledge, and lakhs of students every year participate in the entrance test to take admissions into these colleges. To pursue a career in the field, candidates have to give various entrance tests like NEET, COMEDK, and universities’ private tests to take admissions. Most courses have professional characteristics of medical sciences and, after completion, can open a wide horizon of job opportunities. With the increase in the priority of health in the country, the demand for medical professionals is also increasing. Thus, the government is putting in a lot of effort to develop new medical institutes and hospitals to provide healthcare for all. Even the allied branches like AYUSH are now in demand with the recent shift towards natural and organic treatment.