MBBS Course: A Complete Guide
MBBS is a 5.5 years long undergraduate program and is one of the most prestigious courses in India. MBBS program includes 4.5 years of academic study and 1 year of internship as compulsory practice. This program is a balance of theoretical knowledge and a vast amount of practical training in clinical settings, where students are prepared to diagnose and treat different kinds of diseases. The MBBS admission process in India is extremely competitive, and students are selected purely based on merit by scoring marks in the NEET UG exam. To join the MBBS course, candidates must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, Mathematics, and English, with practical tests in these subjects. Moreover, candidates must be at least 17 years old and rank in the NEET UG merit list. This entrance test is the only gateway to MBBS admissions in India.
Medical graduates must complete at least six months of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) following the completion of the academic part of the course. This clinical training in all departments forms an essential part of the program and needs to be completed before a student can be considered officially qualified for MBBS. After this, only then can they practice medicine according to the laws of their respective medical universities.
Some of the top ranked MBBS colleges are AIIMS Delhi, CMC Vellore, JIPMER, KGMU, and Kasturba Medical College, among others. The MBBS fees varies widely, from INR 25,000 to INR 1.15 crore, depending on the institution and whether it is government-run or private.
The MBBS degree offers various professional career options as general practitioners or specialists, including the opportunity for advanced studies in many areas of medical practice. Possible MMBS jobs include private and public hospitals, armed forces' medical services, or opening individual clinics. The approximate salary for MBBS doctors working in India may range from INR 2.5 to 15 LPA depending upon experience, field of specialization, and type of workplace.
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MBBS Course Highlights
The 5.5-year undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program teaches students how to diagnose patients, find medications and treatments, and perform surgeries. In India, admission to various medical schools for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS full form) program is contingent upon passing the NEET UG. Candidates can review the MBBS information in the table below to learn more about the specifics of the MBBS course:
Key Takeaways from NEET 2024 -
- NEET UG is taken in languages like English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
- NEET 2024 has seen the most registrations to date with roughly 24,06,079 applications and 3,39,125 registrations. Uttar Pradesh was the most popular state, followed by Maharashtra with 2,79,104.
- The male to female ratio of the registrants are 9,98,298 men (43.1%) and 13,34,982 women (57.5%) signed up for NEET UG 2024.
Also check - NEET 2025 Registration Begins. Direct Link and Steps to Apply for the Exam
MBBS Admission 2025
A general overview of the Indian MBBS admissions process for 2025 is provided below for candidates:
- Eligibility: Requires completion of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English in the 12th grade.
- NEET-UG Registration: Visit the official NEET website to register online. Send in the required paperwork and pay the application fee.
- Entrance Exam: Take the NEET UG
- Declaration of Results: The NEET results are made available online.
- Registration: For counseling through the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) or state authorities as part of the MBBS counseling process. Enter your college preferences.
- Seat Distribution: NEET rank, reservation, and preferences are taken into consideration when allocating seats.
- Verification of Documents: Check documents at the designated college.
- Admission: Pay the required amount and finish the college's requirements.
Students' NEET UG exam scores matters the most in order to be eligible for the MBBS degree. Moreover, students must have finished their 12th grade education with physics, chemistry, biology, and biotechnology as required subjects in order to be eligible for NEET. A recent National Medical Commission update, however, allows students who take mathematics as an elective to take the NEET exam -
AIIMS MBBS Admission Process
NEET UG is undertaken for admission to AIIMS and other top institutes. The counseling at AIIMS is centralized in nature, and candidates must obtain a higher ranking in NEET in order to grab a seat.
For most courses, the admission process follows these steps:
Step 1: Apply for NEET UG entrance examination, if one intends to get admission in the MBBS program.
Step 2: Appear for counseling and the corresponding seat allotment.
Step 3: Take the admission after seat allotment as confirmed to the course by paying the corresponding fee.
MBBS Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for pursuing an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) degree typically involve meeting academic qualifications, age requirements, and clearing an entrance exam -
| Criteria | Details |
| Age | Candidate must be at least 17 years old as of December 31st of the admission year. |
| Educational Qualification | Must have completed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as mandatory subjects. |
| Minimum Marks | A minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying exam (40% for SC/ST/OBC candidates). |
| Entrance Exam | Candidates must qualify for an entrance exam such as NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) in India or equivalent exams in other countries. |
| Citizenship | Indian nationals (for Indian colleges) or respective country’s nationals for foreign colleges. |
Check NEET Eligibility.
MBBS Entrance Examination 2025: NEET UG Dates
A student must first take the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), which is the MBBS entrance exam, in order to get admission to the MBBS program in India. Both public and private institutions accept this as the sole entrance exam for admission to MBBS programs. Candidates will be eligible to take part in the two-way counseling process if they meet the NEET UG cutoff. The Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) conducts the national NEET UG counseling for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats. For the remaining 85% of State Quota seats, counseling is handled by the State Medical Admission Authorities.
Detailed NEET Exam Important Dates -
Here is the description for the above given exams for understanding -
- INI CET 2025: It is a medical entrance exam for PG courses.
- DNB PDCET 2025: Exam for admission to Post Diploma Centralized Entrance Test (PDCET) for DNB courses.
- NEET SS 2024 Exam: Exam for admission to super-specialty medical courses (NEET SS).
- KEA NEET Option Entry 2025: The window for candidates to select preferred colleges and courses in Karnataka’s NEET counselling.
- Provision to Change KEA NEET Option Entry: Candidates can modify their selected options during KEA NEET counselling.
Also read - NEET Exam Pattern
MBBS Subjects
Students who take MBBS courses are prepared for careers in healthcare. There are three stages to MBBS course subjects: pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical.
Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry are pre-clinical MBBS courses that teach students about the human body and how it works. Disease processes, drug actions, and the legal aspects of medicine are the main topics of para-clinical MBBS course subjects like pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and forensic medicine. Clinical MBBS course subjects that allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world, patient-centered settings include Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Community Medicine. Check the MBBS subjects in the table below:
MBBS Course Types
MBBS full form stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. The terms clinical, pre-clinical, and para-clinical in the MBBS course curriculum refer to different phases of medical education. The following table shows the different types of MBBS course types -
Also read - List of Top 5 Paramedical Courses After 12th
Specializations After MBBS Courses
The university aims to provide all MBBS students with a contemporary, growth-oriented education through its MBBS courses. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in medicine or surgery are eligible to work in the medical field. Due to a lack of employment opportunities and a significantly higher number of doctors than there are, there is a high demand for medical professionals across India -
Best Colleges for MBBS Course
Numerous esteemed and leading Indian medical schools and universities provide MBBS programs. When assessing colleges for MBBS courses, it's critical to take into account a variety of sources because rankings can differ depending on a variety of criteria and evaluations. These are a few of India's best universities that offer MBBS programs -
Best MBBS Colleges Based on NIRF Ranking ‘24
The top universities are still among the most prominent medical schools in India, according to the NIRF rankings 2024 for the best MBBS programs in the nation. Candidates can view the top MBBS schools by NIRF Ranking '24' in the table below -
MBBS Course Fees in Government Colleges
In India, there are 89 government medical schools offering MBBS programs. Choosing medical schools becomes even more crucial because MBBS is one of the most difficult programs ever offered in India, and it is highly competitive. Some of the best government medical schools that provide MBBS programs are AIIMS Delhi, King George Medical University, JIPMER, and Madras Medical College. The following table lists some of the best government medical schools that offer MBBS courses, along with the costs of those courses:
Read - NEET: Minimum Marks Required In NEET For MBBS In Government College
MBBS Course Fees in Private Colleges -
In India, there are 138 private medical schools offering MBBS programs. Among the best private medical schools in India that provide MBBS programs are Christian Medical College, Kasturba Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, and St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences. The table below lists the top private medical schools that offer MBBS courses, along with the costs of those courses -
Also read - List of AIIMS in India
Top MBBS Colleges Accepting State-wise NEET
NEET scores as the foundation for eligibility in their own counseling process for admission to medical colleges within the state. Students are admitted to numerous other esteemed medical schools in various Indian states via the state-specific NEET exam -
1.UP NEET
Here are some colleges that accept UP NEET scores -
2.Tamil Nadu NEET
Following are some of the colleges that accept NEET as well as Tamil Nadu NEET scores -
3.Gujarat NEET
Following are some of the colleges that accept NEET as well as Gujarat NEET scores -
Read - Top Medical Colleges in Gujarat 2025
4.West Bengal NEET
Following are some of the colleges that accept NEET as well as West Bengal NEET scores -
Read - Top MBBS Colleges in West Bengal in 2025
5.Rajasthan NEET
Following are some of the colleges that accept NEET as well as Rajasthan NEET scores -
6. AP NEET
The following are some of the colleges that accept NEET as well as AP NEET scores -
Read - Top MBBS Colleges in Andhra Pradesh in 2025
7. Telangana NEET
The following are some colleges that accept Telangana NEET as well as NEET scores -
Read - Top MBBS Colleges in Telangana in 2025
8. Chhattisgarh NEET
The following are some colleges that accept Chhattisgarh NEET as well as NEET scores -
9. Odisha NEET
The following are some colleges that accept Odisha NEET as well as NEET scores -
10. Assam NEET
The following are some colleges that accept Assam NEET as well as NEET scores -
Read - Top Medical Colleges in Assam 2025 Accepting NEET UG
MBBS Career Scope
The scope of an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) career in India extensively vast and diverse. The following section shows an overview of the potential MBBS career opportunities:
- Private Practice – Set up a personal clinic or practice as a general practitioner.
- Hospital Employment – Work in government or private hospitals.
- Postgraduate Specializations (MD/MS) – Further studies in specialties like cardiology, surgery, etc.
- Medical Research – Join research institutions or work in clinical trials.
- Teaching – Teach at medical colleges or universities.
- Government Services – Work in government hospitals, health departments, or the armed forces.
- Medical Consultancy – Offer consultancy to healthcare institutions or pharmaceutical companies.
- Pharmaceutical Industry – Work as a medical advisor or in R&D for pharma companies.
- Entrepreneurship – Start healthcare-related businesses, like clinics or diagnostic centers.
- International Opportunities – Pursue opportunities abroad with exams like USMLE, PLAB, etc.
Read - Types of Doctors
MBBS Core Industries
In India, an MBBS graduate can pursue a variety of jobs in a number of industries, such as the following:
MBBS Salary in India
There are numerous MBBS career options. After the MBBS course, the most sought-after career path is becoming a doctor, also known as a medical practitioner, which is regarded as one of the most honorable occupations. Popular career choices or specializations to choose after finishing an MBBS course are covered in the job profiles that follow -
Also read - MBBS Doctor Salary: Understanding MBBS Doctor Salaries: Factors, Specialties, and Global Trends
What After MBBS?
Students have a variety of options for career specialization after completing their MBBS degree. Some factors like personal interests, professional aspirations, and the desire for further training in a particular medical specialization can all influence the decision regarding the next steps after MBBS. Let's check out the courses after MBBS -
| Course Name | Description |
| Postgraduate Specialization (MD/MS/DNB) | Many MBBS graduates choose to pursue postgraduate degrees in order to further specialize. These include Master of Surgery (MS) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees in India. Another acknowledged credential is the Diplomate of National Board (DNB). |
| Diploma Courses (PG Diploma) | Since postgraduate diploma programs are usually shorter than MD/MS programs, some MBBS graduates decide to enroll in them. |
| Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Chirurgiae (MCh) | Following an MD or MS are these super-specialty programs. Cardiology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, and other highly specialized medical specialties are among the careers they lead to. |
| PhD in Medicine or Medical Research | A Ph.D. in medicine or medical research is an option for people who want to do research. Careers in academia, research facilities, or pharmaceutical companies may follow this route. |
| MBA | After earning an MBBS degree, many people choose to enroll in an MBA program in order to expand their knowledge in a variety of fields. Usually lasting two years, this advanced degree gives students a variety of managerial skills. |
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Specializations After MBBS Courses -
After MBBS, students can specialize in fields such as:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Radiology
- Psychiatry
MBBS Compulsory Rotating Internship
In India, a rotational internship is considered an essential component of the MBBS program and can be completed before the degree may be awarded. This internship has an exposure to practice in all possible medical disciplines as a primary provider of healthcare at the community level.
An internship must be completed within two years after clearing the final MBBS/FMGE/NExT examination, wherever applicable.
Interns are paid a monthly stipend, the amount of which is determined by the state medical authority overseeing the respective college. Medical colleges run by the central government generally offer the highest stipends.
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MBBS Scholarships
A variety of scholarships are provided, like Central Sector Scholarship Scheme, Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship, and private institutional scholarships, on merit or on financial need -
MBBS Abroad
A quality medical education and exposure to various healthcare systems and practices can also be obtained by MBBS overseas. In order to do so, candidates must first look into the different nations that provide MBBS programs overseas. Candidates may need to confirm that they have passed particular standardized language tests (like the TOEFL or IELTS) that are specific to each nation and university as studying MBBS abroad can be highly costly from anywhere between INR 15 lakh to INR 50 lakh on average. Some of the most popular countries for MBBS course are Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.
MBBS Course Comparison
MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS -
Each of these courses caters to different aspects of healthcare:
- MBBS: Offers the broadest scope with diverse specializations in allopathic medicine.
- BDS: Focuses exclusively on dental care.
- BAMS: Centers on Ayurvedic medicine, gaining popularity for its holistic approach.
| Full Form | Bachelor of Medicines, Bachelor of Surgery | Bachelor of Dental Surgery | Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicines and Surgery |
MBBS vs MD vs DM -
- MBBS: Foundational UG degree (5.5 years, including internship).
- MD: Postgraduate degree (3 years) focusing on specialization.
- DM: Doctorate-level super-specialization (3 years) after MD.
MBBS vs MBA
- MBBS: A medical UG degree (5.5 years) leading to careers in healthcare.
- MBA: A PG degree (1–2 years) focusing on business management and leadership.
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