MD (Doctor of Medicine) Comparison with other courses

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-
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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 |
||
|
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
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 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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Course Syllabus
Check out the syllabus overview of the semester-wise MD and MBBS courses in India-
|
Semesters |
MBBS |
MD |
|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 |
|
|
|
Semester 2 |
|
|
|
Semester 3 |
|
|
|
Semester 4 |
|
|
|
Semester 5 |
|
|
|
Semester 6 |
|
|
|
Semester 7 |
|
- |
|
Semester 8 |
|
- |
|
Semester 9 |
|
- |
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) |
|---|---|
|
6,100 |
|
|
13,500 |
|
|
44 Lakh |
|
|
44 Lakh |
|
|
2.5 Lakh |
|
|
1.1 Crore |
|
|
30 Lakh |
|
|
7,300 |
|
|
68,000 |
|
|
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) |
|---|---|
|
2,100 - 2,500 |
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
10.9 Lakh - 63.2 Lakh |
|
|
10.9 Lakh - 63.2 Lakh |
|
|
1.6 Lakh |
|
|
19.5 Lakh |
|
|
13.5 Lakh - 81 Lakh |
|
|
6 Lakh - 36.5 Lakh |
|
|
46,600 |
|
|
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 |
|
3.6 LPA |
Note: The average salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.
Suggested Reading for MBBS vs MD:
- 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
Popular Private MD (Doctor of Medicine) Colleges in India
MD Applications open. Apply Now
MD Applications open. Apply Now
MD Applications open. Apply Now
MD Applications open. Apply Now
MD Applications open. Apply Now
Popular MD (Doctor of Medicine) Specializations
Popular Specializations
Most Popular Courses
Popular Courses
- MD in PharmacologyMadras Medical College, Chennai
- MD in PaediatricsStanley Medical College
- MD in Hospital AdministrationJSS Academy of Higher Education and Research
- MD in Community MedicineRUHS College of Medical Sciences
- MD in Bio-ChemistryKakatiya Medical College, Warangal
- MD in Ayurveda (Kayachikitsa)Parul Institute of Ayurved, Parul University
News & Updates
Mar 24, 2026
Student Forum
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
N
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
N
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
N
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
N
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
N
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
N
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
N
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
N
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
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
N
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.
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
N
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.
N
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
R
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
Contributor-Level 10
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