Updated on May 22, 2025 04:12 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtSenior Executive

MD means Doctor of Medicine and MBBS means Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. Both are medical degrees, but represent different stages of medical education and training. It will take you 5.5 years to complete an MBBS but only 3 years to complete the MD degree.

MBBS is the base medical course in India, after which you are eligible to practice as a general physician. And MD is a specialised PG course that allows doctors to gain expertise in a particular medical field. Many doctors pursue MD to become specialists in a specific area of medicine and offer advanced healthcare services to patients. 

Continue reading further for MD vs MBBS comparison, the differences, eligibility criteria, admission process, job profiles, career scope, average salary, etc.

Helpful Links for MBBS vs MD Preparation-

Top Medical Colleges in India: Ranking, Admission, Placement, Fees, Cutoff

MD vs MBBS: Highlights

Candidates who wish to know the difference between MD and MBBS can look at the table below to know the key highlights of both the courses such as course level, duration, average fees, entrance exams, admission process, job profiles, average salary, etc.

Parameters

MBBS

MD

Course Level

UG

PG

Course Duration

5.5 years

3 years

Course Fee

Government Colleges - INR 6,100 to INR 1.1 Crore

Private Colleges - INR 14,000 to INR 1 crore

Government Colleges - INR 2,000 to INR 2 Lakh

Private Colleges - INR 1,000 to 81 Lakh

Admission Process

Entrance-based

Entrance-based

Entrance Exam

NEET 

NEET PG, INI CET

Popular Colleges

AIIMS Delhi, Christian Medical College Vellore, Banaras Hindu University, JIPMER Puducherry, etc.

AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Delhi, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, JIPMER Puducherry

Job Profiles

Medical Surgeon, Medical officers, Paediatrician, General Physician, Medical Assistant (Surgery), etc.

Dermatologist, Nutritionist, Pediatrician, Pathologist, etc.

Average Salary

INR 6 LPA

INR 8.6 LPA

Top Recruiters

Medicine, General Surgery, Cardiology, Paediatrics, Oncology, Nephrology, etc.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Medanta- The Medicity, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, etc.

Note - This information is taken from the official site and may vary.

MBBS vs MD Useful Links:

Top Medical Colleges in India for Best Placements: NIRF - MHRD Rankings

MD vs MBBS: Eligibility

Every college sets a criterion that candidates need to fulfil to get admission to their desired course. Check the table below to learn the eligibility criteria for MD and MBBS courses.

Parameters

MBBS

MD

Education

Class 12 in Science stream with PCB (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) subjects.

MBBS

Minimum Aggregate Percentage

50%

50%

Age Limit

17

NA

Entrance Exam

NEET

NEET PG

Note - This information is taken from the official site and may vary.

MBBS vs MD Links you may be interested in:

Top Private Medical Colleges in India

Top Medical Colleges in India 

Entrance Exams 

Look at the table below to learn about the major differences between these two entrance exams needed for MD and MBBS admission.

Particulars

MBBS

MD

Entrance Exam

NEET 

NEET PG

Conducting Body

National Testing Agency

National Board of Examinations

 Mode of exam

Offline

Online

Exam Syllabus 

The NEET syllabus includes Physics, Chemistry and Biology topics from Class 11 and 12

The NEET PG syllabus includes pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects. 

Note - This information is taken from the official site and may vary.

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NEET PG vs INI CET Exam Comparison: An Overview

Course Syllabus

Check out the syllabus overview of the semester-wise MD and MBBS courses in India-

Semesters

MBBS

MD

Semester 1

  • Introduction to Embryology and Histology
  • Introduction to Molecular Medicine
  • Applied basic science knowledge
  • Diseases concerning General Medicine

Semester 2

  • Neuroscience I (Peripheral System)
  • Respiratory System
  • Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology
  • Diagnostic investigation and procedures

Semester 3

  • General Pathology
  • Environment Pathology
  • Monitoring seriously ill patients
  • Counselling patients and relatives

Semester 4

  • Systematic Pathology
  • Alimentary System 
  • Ability to carry out research
  • Ward patient management 

Semester 5

  • Special Pathology 
  • Growth Disturbance and Neoplasia 
  • Long and short topic presentations
  • Ward rounds, case presentations and discussions

Semester 6

  • Epidemiology of communicable diseases 
  • Reproductive and child health
  • Journal conferences
  • PG case presentation skills

Semester 7

  • Infectious Diseases 
  • Diseases of the immune system

-

Semester 8

  • Endocrine Disease
  • Brain Death

-

Semester 9

  • Nervous System
  • Environmental Disorders

-

Check MBBS Syllabus

Check MD Syllabus

Relevant Links for MBBS vs MD:

How to prepare for NEET PG in 2 months

NCERT books for NEET Preparation

MD vs MBBS: Top Colleges

Check out some of the top colleges for both MD and MBBS given in the table below along with their total fees.

Top MBBS Colleges

AIIMS Delhi, Christian Medical College, Kasturba Medical College, and KGMU are some top colleges that offer MBBS in India. Candidates can check the top MBBS colleges given in the table below along with their total fees. 

College Name

MBBS Fees (in INR)

AIIMS Delhi

6,100

Christian Medical College

13,500

Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore

44 Lakh

Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

44 Lakh

KGMU

2.5 Lakh

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

1.1 Crore

St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences

30 Lakh

JIPMER Puducherry

7,300 

Madras Medical College

68,000

AIIMS Rishikesh

51,500

Note - This information is taken from the official site and may vary.

Top MD Colleges

AIIMS Delhi, Christian Medical College, Kasturba Medical College, and KGMU are some top colleges that offer MBBS in India. Candidates can check the top MD colleges given in the table below along with their total fees. 

College Name

MD Fees (in INR)

AIIMS Delhi

2,100 - 2,500

Christian Medical College

1,200

Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore

10.9 Lakh - 63.2 Lakh

Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

10.9 Lakh - 63.2 Lakh

KGMU

1.6 Lakh

PGIMER

19.5 Lakh

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

13.5 Lakh - 81 Lakh

St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences

6 Lakh - 36.5 Lakh

JIPMER Puducherry

46,600

Madras Medical College

1.5 Lakh

Note - This information is taken from the official site and may vary.

Useful Links for MBBS vs MD:

NEET Chapter Wise Weightage PDF by NTA: Physics, Chemistry & Biology

MD vs MBBS: Jobs and Salary

Check the table below to know which job profiles are widely chosen among MD and MBBS graduates and how much they earn on an average basis.

MBBS Salary in India 

After completing an MBBS degree in India, there are several job profiles and career opportunities available in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Here are some common job profiles for MBBS graduates in India:

Job Profiles

Average Annual Salary (in INR)

Medical Surgeons

16.4 LPA

Medical Officers

6.6 LPA

Paediatricians

14.5 LPA

General Physicians

7.5 LPA

Medical Assistants (Surgery)

4 LPA

Note: The average salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.

Recommended Links for MBBS vs MD:

Career After MBBS: Know Job Opportunities, Scopes and Salary

MD Salary in India 

MD graduates have the opportunity to work in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical job profiles, so their salaries also differ.

Here are some common MD job profiles in India:

Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Pathologists

9.4 LPA

Orthopaedists

14.8 LPA

Paediatricians

14.5 LPA

Dermatologists

9.6 LPA

Nutritionists

3.6 LPA

Note: The average salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.

Suggested Reading for MBBS vs MD:

Careers to Pursue after NEET 2023

Table of contents
  • Popular MD (Doctor of Medicine) Colleges in India
  • Popular Private MD (Doctor of Medicine) Colleges in India
  • Popular MD (Doctor of Medicine) Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses

Popular MD (Doctor of Medicine) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular MD (Doctor of Medicine) Colleges in India. Learn more about these MD (Doctor of Medicine) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
20 Courses
2.11 K - 2.49 K
22 LPA
22 Courses
3.6 K
12.09 LPA
16 Courses
19.5 L
18 LPA
20 Courses
1.64 L
15 LPA
21 Courses
46.58 K
24 LPA
9 Courses
1.05 L
28 LPA

Popular Private MD (Doctor of Medicine) Colleges in India

15 Courses
29.31 L - 76.22 L
6 LPA

MD Applications open. Apply Now

17 Courses
9 L - 1.35 Cr
19 Courses
18.75 L - 78 L
17.5 LPA

MD Applications open. Apply Now

4 Courses
4.05 L - 6.6 L

MD Applications open. Apply Now

13 Courses
5.25 L - 15.75 L
5.0

MD Applications open. Apply Now

9 Courses
5.25 L - 15.75 L
4.4

MD Applications open. Apply Now

Popular MD (Doctor of Medicine) Specializations

Following are the most popular MD (Doctor of Medicine) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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    Student Forum

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    Answered a week ago

    National Homeopathy Research Institute, in Mental Health AIAPGET cutoff 2025, was released in the form of ranks for admission to the MD courses and its various branches. 

    The cutoff was released for various All India categories. For the General AI category, the overall cutoff ranged from 68 to 152. A

    ...Read more

    N

    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered a week ago

    Yes, you can get admission at this institute, with a rank of 100, if you belong to the General AI category. As per the Mahesh Bhattacharya Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital MD cutoff 2025, the overall range fell between 93 and 178 for this category. Hence, students with a rank of 100 can ava

    ...Read more

    N

    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered a week ago

    Mahesh Bhattacharya Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital AIAPGET cutoff 2025 was released for admission to various MD course specialisations. Each All India category had a different cutoff. 

    For the General AI category, the overall cutoff ranged from 93 to 178, according to the first and last ro

    ...Read more

    N

    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 2 weeks ago

    Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Bhopal AIAPGET cutoff 2025 for the OBC AI category ranged from 115 to 177 in the first round. In the last round, the cutoff varied between 136 and 262 for this category. 

    Students can refer to the table below to view the first and final round cutoff ranks for

    ...Read more

    N

    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 2 weeks ago

    Yes, you can get a seat at Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Bhopal, with an AIAPGET rank of 200 if you belong to the SC or ST All India quota. 

    For the SC AI category, the cutoff ranged from 452 to 794. On the other hand, for the ST AI quota, the GHMC Bhopal AIAPGET cutoff 2025 was released o

    ...Read more

    N

    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 2 weeks ago

    Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Bhopal AIAPGET cutoff 2025 was published for admission to the MD course for various All India categories. For the General AI category, the overall cutoff ranged from 77 to 208. According to the last round, M.D in Paediatrics was the most competitive course fo

    ...Read more

    N

    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 2 weeks ago

    Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram AIAPGET cutoff 2025 for the OBC AI category was only released for one course, ie, MD in Homoeopathic (Materia Medica) programme. 

    In 2025, the cutoff for this specialisation was 163. In comparison to the 2023 cutoff for the branch, which was

    ...Read more

    N

    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 2 weeks ago

    Yes, you can get a seat at Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram with a rank of 80 if you belong to the General AI category. General AI category students can refer to the table below to know which courses they are eligible for (according to the last round cutoff list)

    Course

    Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram AIAPGET cutoff 2025 (Last Round)
    MD in Homoeopathic (Homoeopathic Philosophy)166
    MD in Homoeopathic (Repertory)172

    For the OB

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    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 2 weeks ago

    The total tuition fee of MD at the total tuition fee of MBBS at Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Science and Research Center is between INR 9 Lacs to INR 30 lakh. It is taken from official website of college. It may change.

    R

    Raj Priya

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 3 weeks ago

    The rank needed for admission to Madras Medical Mission depends entirely on which category you belong to. According to round 1 of Madras Medical Mission NEET SS cutoff 2025 for the General AI category, students would need a rank of at least 4568 to avail admission. The most difficult course for admi

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    N

    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 3 weeks ago

    SMS Medical College offers MD across several specialisations. The duration for MD at SMS Jaipur is 3 years. The eligibility for MD courses at SMS Medical College is graduation/ bachelor's degree in any stream with at least 50% and a valid score in NEET PG.

    84134530
    Tanu Rao

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 3 weeks ago

    A good rank would depend entirely on the category the students belong to and the AKU NEET PG cutoff 2025, which is released in the form of ranks. 

    Among the General AI category students, the last round cutoff rank ranged from 6618 to 11637 for the MS in General Surgery programme. Hence, a good rank w

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    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 3 weeks ago

    The AKU cutoff 2025 for the OBC category ranged from 2381 to 5754 in the last round for the MD in General Medicine programme. The AKU NEET PG cutoff 2025 was also released for several MD and MS course specialisations. To know more about other courses, rounds, etc., click here

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    Neerja Rohatgi

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered a month ago

    The below is the criteria for MD in M S Ramaiah Medical College:

    • Candidate should have scored more than or equal to the prescribed minimum score in NEET- PG applicable for the academic year.
    • Candidate should have completed his/her MBBS course from a NMC recognised Medical College.
    • He/ She must have com

    ...Read more

    R

    Rashmi Arora

    Contributor-Level 10

    Answered 2 months ago

    The total tuition fee of MD at Government Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai is INR 73000. This number is taken from the official website of the college. This number is taken from the official website of college. It may change.

    R

    Raj Priya

    Contributor-Level 10

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