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Medical

Doctor (MBBS)

Medicine is a long, regulated pathway. After 12th with Biology, students qualify NEET UG for admission to the MBBS programme, complete the degree and a compulsory internship, and then register with a state medical council before practising. Postgraduate specialisation follows through NEET PG.

Education pathway

  1. 1

    MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)

    After 12th · 5.5 years including one year of compulsory rotating internship

    Admission is through NEET UG, followed by central or state counselling.

  2. 2

    Registration with a state medical council

    After the degree · On completion of the internship

    Registration is required before independent practice.

  3. 3

    MD / MS / diploma in a speciality

    Optional specialisation · 3 years (MD / MS)

    Admission is through NEET PG.

  4. 4

    DM / MCh

    Optional super-specialisation · 3 years

    Follows the postgraduate degree.

Eligibility

A pass in 12th (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry and Biology is the usual requirement, and candidates must qualify NEET UG. Minimum qualifying marks and reservation norms are set by the competent authority each year, so confirm the current requirement in the official NEET information bulletin before applying.

Typical duration: 5.5 years (MBBS including internship)

Approximate education cost

₹20,000 – ₹15,00,000 per year

Indicative annual tuition range spanning government medical colleges and private or deemed institutions. Actual fees vary widely by institution and seat category. This is an estimate only and never a quotation.

Entrance examinations and deadlines

Suitable courses

Colleges in the EduLandmark database

Counselling pathway

Required skills

Biology and human anatomyClinical observationPatient communicationAttention to detailEthical judgementStamina and teamwork

Career opportunities

Resident DoctorGeneral PractitionerGovernment Medical OfficerClinical Researcher

Employment sectors

Government hospitals and primary health centresPrivate hospitals and multi-speciality chainsPublic health programmesMedical colleges and research institutionsArmed forces medical services

Further education options

MD / MS through NEET PGDiploma courses in clinical specialitiesDM / MCh super-specialisationFellowships and research programmes

Licensing and registration

A graduate must register with the relevant State Medical Council (or the National Medical Commission register) before practising as a doctor in India. Registration follows successful completion of the degree and the compulsory internship.

Frequently asked questions

What does the compulsory internship involve?

It is a period of supervised clinical training across departments inside a recognised hospital, completed after the final year of the MBBS course. It must be finished before registration and independent practice.

How long is the full pathway to a speciality?

5.5 years for MBBS including internship, then typically 3 further years for an MD or MS, and 3 more years for a DM or MCh super-speciality.

Is NEET UG the only route?

NEET UG is the single qualifying examination for MBBS and BDS admission in India, including for central institutions and state government colleges.

Awaiting verification against an official source

EduLandmark has not yet confirmed this information against an official source. Confirm the details on the official website before you rely on them.

Future scope and growth

Demand for doctors is broad and sustained, particularly in government service, primary care and smaller towns. Progression depends on postgraduate specialisation, and the pathway between 12th and independent practice is long.

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