What is DM: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2026, Colleges, Salary & Scope

The full form of the DM course is Doctor of Medicine. It is a postgraduate Medical course, specially purposed with advanced training and research in various medical specialities. The program imparts detailed knowledge and expertise in the area of specialization chosen by the medical professional.
This course is sought after by those doctors who have completed their Master of Medicine, MD, or Diplomate of National Board, DNB, in any particular medical specialty.

Candidates can check below the benefits of pursuing DM in Medical:

• Research Opportunities: Many Doctorate of Medicine (DM in Medical) degrees incorporate research components, allowing students to engage in medical research projects. 
• Prestige and Recognition: Earning a Doctorate of Medicine (DM in Medical) is often associated with prestige and recognition in the medical community. 
• Career Opportunities: Beyond clinical practice, a Doctorate of Medicine (DM in Medical) can open doors to a range of career opportunities. Graduates may work in hospitals, clinics, academic institutions, research organizations, pharmaceutical companies, public health agencies, and more.

In most cases, DM in Medial candidates specialize in a single field during their program. However, certain institutions might allow dual-specialization options or fellowships in specific areas of medicine after completing the primary DM qualification.

It's important to check with individual colleges for dual-specialization opportunities. Specializing in more than one field can enhance a doctor's expertise and job prospects, but the training and workload involved can be demanding.

The detailed conditions for eligibility for the DM course might slightly differ from every institution or, in fact, from every country since different countries have different ways of administering the program.

However, some common requirements are normally expected for applicants into a DM course.

• It is the basic criterion that the candidate possesses a recognized medical degree, namely the MBBS or its equivalent from a recognized institute.
• The candidate should have completed the MBBS degree and achieved the required certification or a degree.
• For most, it is that the candidates should have obtained a minimum percentage or grade in obtaining the undergraduate medical degree. It is above 50% in many institutions, and in some cases, it is the reverse.
• Most of the DM course eligibility includes minimum time duration in the clinical practice. This period ranges from 1-3 years, depending upon the specialization, and the institution which is offering the course.
• The students are also supposed to take and pass a competitive entrance examination before they are admitted in the institution providing the DM course. Most institutions have a special competitive entrance examination that the candidate should pass before admission.

No, you cannot directly pursue a DM in General Medicine after completing an MD in Alternative Medicine following a BPT degree; the required prerequisite for a DM in Medical is typically an MD in General Medicine, meaning you would need to first complete an MD in conventional medicine to be eligible for a DM in Medical in a specific specialty like General Medicine. 

MD in Alternative Medicine is considered a separate Medical stream from conventional medicine (MD in General Medicine) and does not qualify you directly for a DM in a conventional medicine specialty. 

Suggested Link:

Alternative Medicine

No, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is not required to be taken up for admission to Doctorate of Medicine courses in India. Normally, postgraduate medical admissions are carried out through the NEET-PG examination intended for candidates seeking admission to MD, PG Diploma and MS courses.

The NEET-PG examination is a test of knowledge and skills acquired during the MBBS undergraduate course and is an eligibility requirement for admission to available seats in different medical colleges in the country. It is, further, a uniform entrance examination to ensure that admission to postgraduate medical study happens on a par and meritorious platform.

INI CET exam is conducted by AIIMS Delhi for admission to DM/M.Ch courses at 23 Institutes of National Importance. The list of these institutes is given below:

• 19 AIIMS across country
•  PGIMER Chandigarh
• JIPMER Puducherry
• NIMHANS Bengaluru
• SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram

Firstly, it's important to note that the preparation for DM in Medical entrance exam is a time-consuming process and requires consistent effort and dedication.

Here are some steps that can help candidates prepare effectively for Doctorate of Medicine (DM in Medical):

• Understand the exam pattern and syllabus of the DM in Medical entrance exam. This will help candidates know the topics and areas that they need to focus on during their preparation.

• Candidates need to set aside a specific time each day for studying and stick to their plans. 

• Practice is key to success in any competitive exam. Candidates can use online resources or purchase practice papers to solve mock tests and previous year's question papers.

• Once candidates have identified their weak areas, they need to focus on improving them.

While preparing a study plan for DM in Medical, it's essential to check the latest edition and syllabus requirements. Additionally, many coaching institutes and online resources offer study materials tailored to specific exams, which can be valuable supplements to these books.

Here's a table of books recommended for DM in Medical entrance exams in India for aspiring doctors:

The eligibility for admission to DM in medical courses is typically based on entrance exam results, with the cutoff scores typically being revealed by the relevant medical colleges or counselling authorities during the admissions process.

Those who meet the minimum cutoff for INI CET are eligible to take part in the INI CET counselling process. The cutoff rank offers candidates an understanding of their potential admission chances in various categories and programs.

Candidates can refer to the table below for INI CET cutoff lists for several well-known DM colleges in India.

Note: This information is sourced from the official website/counselling body and may vary.

Typically, a DM program involves advanced study and research in a specialised area of medicine after completing a Master of Medicine (MD) or equivalent degree.

Here are some steps to consider:

• DM in Cardiology

• DM in Endocrinology

• DM Gastroenterology

• DM in Nephrology

• DM in Neurology

• DM in Oncology

• DM in Pulmonology

• DM in Rheumatology 

No, DM is not equivalent to a PhD. These are two types of postgraduate degrees within the context of Medicine and health sciences with different points of focus and purpose.
A DM in Medical degree is essentially clinical and specialised in orientation, with the focus being on the care of patients and practice of medicine; on the other hand, a PhD is oriented toward research and contributes to the body of knowledge in science. They thus serve two different purposes within the medical and academic communities. Both degrees, however, mean an advanced qualification and skill in the relevant spheres of operations, and persons holding either qualification can make valuable contributions to Medicine.

The Faculty of Medicine provides two categories of DM in Medical, namely Part-time DM and Full-time DM. Refer to the details below for a comprehensive understanding of these two DM in Medical course variants.

No, DNB (Diplomate of National Board) is not equal to DM (Doctorate of Medicine). There are different postgraduate medical qualifications in India, and they represent distinct levels of specialization and training.

Candidates can look at the table below to see the comparison between the two.

A Doctor of Medicine (DM in Medical) is generally considered a higher degree of specialisation than a Diplomate of National Board (DNB). 

A DM in Medical is a PG medical degree that focuses on a specific medical speciality, while a DNB is a PG degree in Medicine that can be obtained in any speciality. 

A DM is a three-year postgraduate medical degree that focuses on a specific medical speciality. It's considered the highest medical degree a doctor can achieve. DM in Medical courses are typically pursued after completing an MD (Doctor of Medicine). 

A DNB is a three-year postgraduate medical degree that can be obtained in any medical speciality or super-speciality. It's equivalent to an MD for medical specialities and an MS for surgical specialities. 

Both DM and DNB programs are recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC). 

Candidates can check the difference between DM in Medical and MD course below:

An MD course is a professional degree awarded to students who undergo medical school and qualify to practice medicine. The usual duration of an MD course is four years of medical school after attaining a bachelor's degree.
On the other hand, DM is a higher degree in medicine, reflecting superspecialization and expertise in a subject. Normally, one does an MD degree, followed by residency work and then takes up a DM course. DM courses are generally subspecialty-oriented subjects in medicine like cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, etc.

The courses in DM take almost 2 years to complete upon completing an MD or equivalent postgraduate medical degree course.
The duration, however, may differ by speciality. Some may even extend up to 6 years, particularly those involving super-specializations like neurosurgery or pediatric surgery.

The key subjects taught in the DM in Medical course are below:

• Advanced Clinical Training: Focuses on specialised knowledge and techniques in the selected field of study (e.g., cardiology, neurology).

• Research Methodology: Courses that teach how to conduct medical research and evidence-based practices.

• Advanced Diagnostics and Patient Management: Emphasis on diagnosing complex cases, treatment planning, and management.

• Medical Ethics and Professionalism: Focus on the ethical considerations in specialised medical care.

The common challenges faced by DM in Medical students during the course are as follows:

• Intense Workload: DM courses are highly demanding and require a great deal of time and effort, with long hours in both classroom learning and clinical training.

• Specialization Pressure: Choosing and focusing on one medical field can sometimes be overwhelming, especially with the pressure to excel in that field.

• Balancing Theory and Practice: Students must balance theoretical knowledge with practical experience, which can be challenging due to the complex nature of medical cases encountered during training.

• Financial Strain: Since DM programs are long and expensive, students often face financial challenges, especially in private colleges.

DM in Medical are generally offered only as full-time, on-campus courses in India. The course demands extensive practical training, clinical exposure, and research, making it unsuitable for distance learning.

Full-time enrollment allows candidates to gain hands-on experience in hospitals and interact closely with faculty and peers. However, online or distance learning options may be explored for certain Diploma or certificate courses in medical specialties.

Yes, with a DM in Cardiology, one acquires skill in the performance of procedures such as angiograms, angioplasties, and PTMCs. All these interventions involve introducing wires through the wrist or thigh up to the heart—very specialized skills that not all cardiologists possess.
After DM, most cardiologists seek fellowships or FNB in Interventional Cardiology to learn and master these techniques.
Further, to specialize as a Cardiac Surgeon, one needs an MS/DNB in General Surgery followed by an MCh/DNB in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Salaries for DM in Medical specialists in India can vary based on their level of experience, specialization, and other factors. Here's a general table showing level-wise salary ranges for DM in Medical specialists in India:

The salary of DM in Medical specialists in India varies based on the specialty, experience, and workplace. On average, a DM graduate can earn between INR 10-30 LPA, with variations in different regions and institutions.

Specialties like cardiology, neurology, and gastroenterology tend to attract higher salaries, while freshers may earn lower starting salaries. The demand for specialists is growing, which increases earning potential over time.

A DM in Medical specialisation significantly enhances job prospects in hospitals and healthcare institutions by making candidates experts in their respective fields. Hospitals actively seek DM in Medical specialists for high-level roles in patient care, teaching, and research.

Specialization improves career growth opportunities, including senior positions, leadership roles, and higher pay scales. In addition to private and public hospitals, DM in Medical specialists can work in research organizations and academic institutions.

Yes, DM is higher than MD because it is a Doctorate programme.
While an MD is generally the abbreviation for a research degree, Doctor of Medicine is usually reserved for a professional degree. The MD degree is an award in many medical school programs, which integrates classroom instruction with clinical training. The degree aims to turn its students into licensed medical practitioners.
On the other hand, a Doctor of Medicine is a research degree where one normally participates in an original project and defends a dissertation. It is usually pursued by individuals interested in the field of academic medicine or medical research. Normally, this degree course involves further in-depth study and specialization in any one particular area of medicine.

DM in Cardiology is one such higher academic degree course incorporating the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases or disorders related to the heart and blood vessels. This highly specialized course aims at those medical professionals who wish to become experts in the branch of Cardiology.

The DM in Cardiology course usually encompasses thorough coursework with manifold activities, rigorous clinical rotations, and research. The duration of the program may vary depending on the institution, but it generally runs for a few years.

No,  

A doctorate of Medicine (DM in Medical) does not perform surgery. A DM is a post-master of Medicine (MD) degree that involves advanced study and research in a specialised area of medicine. 

Candidates can follow the steps below to choose a speciality in DM in Medical:

• Personal Interest: Choose a field that excites you and aligns with your career goals. Specializing in something you're passionate about can lead to greater satisfaction in the long run.

• Job Market Demand: Look at the demand for various specialties in the job market. Areas like cardiology, neurology, and gastroenterology often have better prospects.

• Long-term Career Goals: Consider the lifestyle, work-life balance, and the types of roles you aspire to after completing the DM.