Updated on May 22, 2025 04:14 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaAssistant Manager

With the growing relevance of medicine, and how fruitful medicine is as a career, the number of people pursuing it is increasing exponentially. This brings a question in every candidate’s mind, about which course to pursue. 

BAMS and MBBS are one of many renowned courses that one can pursue to begin their career as a medical professional. In 2023 only, approximately 20.3 Lakh candidates appeared for NEET out of which 11.46 Lakh (approx) qualified to get admission in these courses. 

Apart from recognition and respect, remuneration is another important aspect that attracts a large number of students to these courses as the average salary after pursuing an MBBS is INR 7.1 LPA. On the other hand, the average salary of a BAMS professional is INR 4.4 LPA. 

In this article, we will look into the various facets of these courses, that will help you to select the right one for you!

MBBS Vs BAMS: Course Overview

Before we dive deep into the details of MBBS and BAMS courses and understand them thoroughly let’s first understand the basics of them. 

Through the table given below, we will understand the basics of both the courses and the future opportunities. We will understand this through an analysis of a couple of things, which include the duration, eligibility criteria, average fees, top recruiting firms, and average salary.

Particulars 

MBBS

BAMS

Full Form 

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine, and Surgery

Course Level 

Undergraduate degree

Undergraduate degree

Duration

5.5 years (including one year of internship)

4.5 years - 5.5 years (depending on the university) 

Admission Criteria 

Through NEET exam

Through NEET exam

Eligibility

Should have studied PCM/PCB  in 12th standard with an average of 50% or more.

Should have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in 12th standard with an average of 50-60%.

Subjects

Medicine, Microbiology, Anatomy

Medicinal Plants, Pharmacology, and Ayurvedic Surgery

Course Fees (in INR)

Govt. colleges: INR 8,000 - INR 35,000
Private colleges:
INR 10 LPA - INR 45 LPA

Govt. colleges: INR 10,000 - INR 30,000
Private Colleges: INR 4 LPA - INR 25 LPA

Top Colleges

AIIMS Medical College, Maulana Azad College, and BHU Varanasi

BHU Varanasi, IMS BHU, DY Patil University Pune

Top Recruiters

Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare, and Fortis Healthcare

The Himalayan Drug Company, Dabur India Ltd., and Surya Herbal Limited

Average Salary (in INR)

2.5 LPA- 15 LPA

1 LPA- 8 LPA

MBBS vs BAMS Topics you may be interested in:

List of colleges accepting NEET scores for BDS courses (North India)

Colleges accepting NEET for BDS courses (South India)

MBBS vs BAMS: Definition

Till now, one might have known what is the purpose of applying for MBBS, or BAMS. Now, it's time to understand the courses in depth to recognize which course aligns with an individual's interest and how can one choose the right course for themselves. We will start by understanding the meaning of MBBS and BAMS, then move to the eligibility criteria, and finally look into the future opportunities with these courses. 

What is MBBS?

MBBS full form is Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. It is one of the most sought-after careers for individuals who wish to pursue a career in allopathy, or modern medicine. One can get ample job opportunities in hospitals for domains like General Physician, Dietician, Gynaecologist, and Dermatologist.
The course thoroughly studies subjects like Microbiology, Physiology, Anatomy, and Radiology.

What is BAMS?

Coming to BAMS, it is completely different and meant for people who want to pursue their medical career in Ayurveda and modern medicine altogether. With the passing of time and the changes in people’s lifestyles, we have eventually reached a point where people started realizing the importance of old age medicines and their healing powers.
BAMS includes an integrated study of modern medicine and Ayurveda. BAMS full form is Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. The course involves an extensive study of traditional concepts like Sharir Kriya, Ayurveda Itihas, Roga Vigyaan, and Rasa. 

MBBS Vs BAMS: Eligibility Criteria 

To pursue a career in medicine through BAMS, or MBBS one has to fulfill some requirements. Let’s go through this table and understand them.

Particulars

MBBS

BAMS

Age

Candidate must be of 17 years

Candidate must be of 17 years

Academic Background

Must have completed 12th standard having  PCM/PCB with an average of 50% or more.

Must have completed 12th standard having PCB with an average of 50% - 60%.

Requirement of English

Must have studied English as a compulsory subject in 12th standard.

No such requirement is there.

Entrance Exam

Candidates must have cleared the NEET exam, and have the scorecard alongside.

Candidates must have cleared the NEET exam, and have the scorecard alongside.

MBBS Vs BAMS: Admission Criteria

To get into MBBS or BAMS you need to follow these certain steps:

Particulars

Admission to MBBS Course

Admission to the BAMS Course

Entrance Exam

To be eligible to enroll in the MBBS course, one must have the NEET scorecard.

To be eligible to enroll in the BAMS course, one must have the NEET scorecard.

Counseling

To get admission in the MBBS course, the candidate needs to undertake Ayush NEET counseling conducted by the AYUSH Department of the respected state.

For admission to the BAMS course, the candidate needs to undertake NEET counseling conducted by the Medical Counseling Committee.

MBBS Vs BAMS: Top Colleges

Till now, since we have discussed so much about the course one might be curious to know about the colleges that offer these courses and the salaries they offer. 
In this section, we will discuss top government and private institutions where candidates can enroll and pursue their dream of being a medical professional. 

Top MBBS Colleges in India
After the NEET scores are out, candidates tend to apply for medical colleges with an awareness of the top medical colleges. Here is a list of top medical universities, both public and private wherein you can apply to take admission to the MBBS course.

Top MBBS Colleges/Universities

Total Tuition Fees

AIIMS, New Delhi 

INR 6100

Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi

INR 12,400

JIPMER, Puducherry

INR 7300 – INR 30,500

(Based on 2 courses)

Institute of Medical Sciences BHU, Varanasi

INR 1.5 lakhs

Madras Medical College, Chennai

INR 68,000

King George's Medical University

INR 2.1 lakhs

AIIMS Jodhpur

INR 24,100

Aligarh Muslim University Medical College 

INR 2.2 lakhs

PGIMS Rohtak

INR 1.9 lakhs

University College of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi

INR 75,000

Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College

INR 2.6 lakhs

Top BAMS Colleges in India

After the NEET scores have arrived, the process of applying to colleges and counseling begins altogether. But before one starts applying, or even before the counseling begins one must be aware of them. So, here are a few top public and private institutions where you can apply.

Top BDS Colleges/Universities

Total Tuition Fees

Institute of Medical Sciences BHU, Varanasi

INR 13,410 per year

PDEA College of Ayurveda Research Centre

INR 10.3 lakhs

Dev Bhoomi Group of Institute

INR 13.7 lakhs

GGISPU, New Delhi

INR 4.8 lakhs

Dr. DY Patil Vidyapeeth - Pune

INR 5.5 lakhs per year

MBBS Vs BAMS: Career Prospects, Job Profiles and Salary

Your future holds numerous well-paying opportunities for you after pursuing either of the two courses. These are some of the top professional careers one can undertake, along with the remuneration you will receive.

MBBS Career Scope

Being so well-versed with what MBBS is, and how it can make you stand out in your medical career if done from a renowned university we should next know about the highest paying jobs one can get after MBBS. This table has a list of all high-paying professions one can pursue after doing MBBS.

Highest Paying Jobs (MBBS)

Average Salary (in INR)

Medical Surgeon

15 LPA

Medical officer

10.6 LPA

Psychiatrists 

9.8 LPA

Dermatologists 

87.7 LPA

Obstetricians and gynecologists

12.9 LPA

BAMS Career Scope

Here is a list of the top professional positions one can undertake after completing their BAMS.

Highest Paying Jobs (BAMS)

Average Salary (in INR)

BAMS Doctor

7.4 LPA

Clinical Research Associate

4.3 LPA

Medical Officer

6.15 LPA

Scientist 

6.45 LPA

Sales Representative

2.73 LPA

Students also liked topics on MBBS Vs BAMS:

Ayurveda courses gained prominence  post Covid-19; Know Career Options after BAMS

Students have multiple opportunities after BAMS: GS Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital Principal

Though both the courses are highly recognized and well-paid in the field of medicine entailing their pros and cons, the choice of pursuing one of them depends on humungous factors ranging from one’s interest to the salary it pays. We hope this helps in finding what’s best for you and making a decision thereafter.

Table of contents
  • Popular MBBS Colleges in India
  • Popular Private MBBS Colleges in India
  • Popular MBBS Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses

Popular MBBS Colleges in India

Following are the most popular MBBS Colleges in India. Learn more about these MBBS colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
1 Course
6.08 K
4.7
1 Course
15 K
4.34 LPA
1 Course
2.14 L
12 LPA
1 Course
5.4 K
12 LPA
1 Course
43.95 L
9.5 LPA
1 Course
51.52 K
12.2 LPA

Popular Private MBBS Colleges in India

1 Course

MBBS Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
85.05 L
6.9 LPA
1 Course
1 Course
57.12 L
4.4
1 Course
1.13 Cr
4.6
1 Course
1.25 Cr
5.0

Popular MBBS Specializations

Following are the most popular MBBS Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Answered 15 hours ago

Yes, there are many scholarships provided for MBBS students in Karnataka. Some of the scholarships under Karnataka government are Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST students, OBC Scholarships as well as minority scholarships. Scholarships are also provided by Central Government through National Schol

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T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 15 hours ago

RGUHS usually conducts supplementary exams a few months after the main exams. Students are not allowed to progress to the next phase until they clear all subjects of the current phase. There is a maximum time limit (usually 8 to 9 years from the date of admission) to complete the MBBS degree.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

Yes, absolutely. NEET is the only entrance exam accepted for MBBS admissions across all medical colleges in Karnataka, whether government or private. There is no state-level medical entrance exam in Karnataka. Your NEET score and All India Rank (AIR) determine which college and which quota seat you

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Ajman University MBBS course is a 6-year long course. The total fees of this course is AED 127,050 per year (Around INR 33 lakh). The MBBS course is recognised by the General Medicine Council of UK. So, this recognition allows graduates of the MBBS programme of this university to be eligible to appl

...Read more

N

Nishtha Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Candidates wishing to get admission in MBBS at St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences should have  passed in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English individually and must have obtained a minimum of 50% marks (40% for reserved category) in Physics, Chemistry and Biology taken

...Read more

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

To get admission in MBBS at CMC Vellore, studnets must fulfil the eligibility. The eligibility criteria for the course is Class 12 with 50% aggregate and PCM should be the compulsory subjects. The selection criteria for the course is NEET. 

G

Gaurika Chhabra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

After completing MBBS from a Bangalore college, graduates have multiple career paths to choose from. The most common route is to appear for NEET-PG and pursue a postgraduate specialisation to become a specialist doctor.

Some graduates join the Indian Armed Forces Medical Services or appear for UPSC C

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The cost of MBBS in Italy for you depends heavily on whether you qualify for a DSU scholarship. If your family's ISEE Parificato falls under the regional threshold, tuition, accommodation and meals are largely covered, along with providing with a cash stipend. 

If you don't qualify but still land in

...Read more

R

Rashmi Shekhar

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Unlimited across years, but each year's score is valid only for that admission cycle - you can't carry forward a score to the next year.

P

Priya Garg

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, an MBBS from Italy is accepted in India - provided the programme meets NMC's foreign medical graduate norms (minimum course duration, internship, curriculum coverage) and you clear the FMGE/NExT screening exam after returning.

J

Jagriti Shukla

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Yes, for Indian students specifically - not for Italian admission itself, but because India's NMC requires a qualifying NEET score to later issue your eligibility certificate and let you sit the FMGE/NExT exam after graduating. These exams are required for practising back in India.

J

Jiya Arora

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Yes, MBBS in Italy is excellent for Indian students. Public universities in Italy offer world-class, English-taught education with very low tuition and regional scholarships (like DSU). The degree is globally recognized, though you must pass the IMAT exam and learn conversational Italian.

V

Virajita Kumari

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Thousands of students make this one mistake every year, and it costs them a great college seat. The biggest mistake is not filling the college preference list carefully during WBMCC counselling. Seat allotment is made only among colleges that you have listed in your preference. If you do not include

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

AIIMS Kalyani is one of the newer AIIMS institutes in India and is rapidly developing its academic reputation. It provides subsidized fees like other AIIMS institutions, highly qualified faculty and world-class infrastructure. While AIIMS Delhi is still the gold standard, AIIMS Kalyani is a great al

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, students with lower NEET ranks still have real options in West Bengal. Private colleges offer management quota and NRI quota seats that do not require very high NEET ranks. Some private college seats may be available at a rank of 1,20,000 and above. Many private medical colleges in West Bengal

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The cutoff figures make it very clear just how competitive MBBS admission in Pune really is. For top government colleges like BJMC and AFMC, general category closing ranks are usually within 1,000 to 3,000 AIR for open seats. For AFMC specifically, the minimum NEET score required for shortlisting is

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) offers multiple central government scholarships including the Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC students, the Central Sector Scholarship for merit-cum-means candidates, and minority community scholarships. At the institutional level, many Pune colleges

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, there is absolutely no way around it. NEET is the only accepted entrance exam for MBBS colleges in Pune. All government, private, and deemed university medical colleges in Pune strictly follow NEET UG scores for admission. A score of around 650 and above is considered good and can help you secu

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, in 2024, 89 MBBS students secured placements with a median salary of INR 5.10 LPA. Have a look at the table below to know more:

ParticularsPlacement Statistics (2023)Placement Statistics (2024)
Total Students9889
Students Placed9889
Median SalaryINR 4.77 LPAINR 5.1 LPA

d

diksha soni

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

All the MBBS students at CMC Vellore have secured placements. Check out the table below to know more:

ParticularsPlacement Statistics (2023)Placement Statistics (2024)
Total Students9889
Students Placed9889
Median SalaryINR 4.77 LPAINR 5.1 LPA

d

diksha soni

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, candidates can get MBBS with 80,000 rank. However, such candidates can only take admission in private MBBS colleges, deemed universities or through management/ NRI quota.

Read More:

...Read more

P

Piyush Bhandari

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 weeks ago

NEET cutoff for admission to the MBBS course at SGT University is based on candidates' performance in the NEET UG entrance exam, followed by its counselling process. During the last round of SGT University NEET UG cutoff 2025, the closing rank for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) 

...Read more

84134530
Tanu Rao

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

An MBBS is not a standalone degree in US. Its an MBBS-MD degree. These MD degree holders can earn up to USD 165,000 in a year, this amount can also be the starting salary for some entry level roles. 

A

Aishwarya Bhatnagar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The NEET cutoff for admission to MBBS at SMS Medical College stood at 2531 for the General AI category in 2025. The last round cutoff is the maximum rank required for admission to this course. For the same course, the last round closing rank stood at 1497 among the students belonging to the OBC cate

...Read more

84134530
Tanu Rao

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, students cannot get admission in MBBS at PES University without NEET scores. The final selecton is based on entrance exam. The university accepts NEET scores for admission in MBBS programme.

 

G

Gaurika Chhabra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, counselling is necessary for admission in MBBS at PES University. Candidates are shortlisted for the MBBS programme based on their performance in NEET entrance exam. Students must appear for KEA counselling for final seat allotment.

G

Gaurika Chhabra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

To get admission in PES University MBBS, students must meet the eligibility and selection requirement. The minimum qualification required to apply at PES University is to pass Class 12 examination in relevant subjects from a recognised board. Candidates are shortlisted for the MBBS programme based o

...Read more

G

Gaurika Chhabra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, MBBS in Harvard is a dual degree programme which leads to an MD. So MBBS is technically MD at Harvard.

J

Jasleen Hazarika

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, Chennai's premier government medical institutes including MMC, Stanley Medical College, and Kilpauk Medical College (GKMC) charge a highly subsidized tuition fee of less than INR 1 lakh.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

MBBS does not have campus placements like engineering, as doctors appear for PG entrance exams like NEET PG after graduation. However, colleges attached to well-known hospitals like DY Patil and MGM do offer better internship experiences and networking opportunities through their private hospital co

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

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