Top 5 AYUSH Courses in India: BAMS, BHMS, BNYS, BSMS & BUMS

Aspirants planning to make a career in AYUSH can pursue these top five courses after appearing for and clearing NEET. 

AYUSH courses in India have gained popularity in the past decade, as many people are looking for alternative medicine options. These courses have always been a part of the treatment options in India, but their wide reach, acceptability and the simple fact that these medicines do not have any side effects have made these courses even more popular. Also, treatment using a generic medicine is not always as effective as they aim at treating the symptoms rather than address the root cause of the disease in patients. This has led to the increasing inclination of people towards the ancient healing methods of India. The Ministry of AYUSH was also established to promote this form of medicine. For admission to the AYUSH courses in India, one has to appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). 

AYUSH courses in India

Here are various courses of AYUSH, that candidates can choose based on their interest: 

Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)

This is an undergraduate programme that is a combination of modern medicine with traditional Ayurvedic healing techniques. It is a five-and-a-half-year-long course. The student gets an Ayurvedacharya degree on completing the course successfully. 

They learn about the following in the BAMS course:

• The ayurvedic, as well as the modern perspectives of the generic medicines, paediatrics, ENT, ophthalmology, gynaecology, obstetrics, etc. are taught
• It also includes a bio-cleansing procedure, which is termed as Panchkarma. Students also get to know about the classical texts of ancient Ayurveda, which are the storehouse of all the important information
• Modern anatomy and physiology are taught in terms of the ayurvedic approach
• They learn about herbal and herbo-mineral medicines as per Ayurvedic toxicology, pharmacology, and pharmaceutics, along with important modern pharmacology, diagnostics, and clinical processes

Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)

This is an undergraduate degree that involves knowledge dissipation to the students regarding homoeopathic treatment procedures. The method makes use of medicines with extremely diluted substances that enable self-healing in the body. The course has a duration of four and a half years and on completion of the course, the candidate will be designated as a doctor. One can become a private practice medical assistant, doctor, public health specialist, lecturer, consultant, spa director, scientist, therapist, or pharmacist.

Lists of Courses to pursue after BHMS

Candidates opting for the BHMS course can choose from various available specialisations as their next step in their career. These are Psychiatry, Skin Specialist, Infertility, Homoeopathic Pharmacy, and Paediatrics.

Here are the topics which the students pursuing BHMS get to learn:

• Knowledge about alternative medicines
• Ayurvedic plant healing basics
• About herbology.
• Use of nutritional therapies for healing.
• Mind and body healing methods.
• Vital principles of homoeopathy
• Knowledge about remaining healthy, wellness, and ensuring longevity
• Holistic health history
• Disorders associated with the immune system and immunology
• Information related to traditional Chinese medicine

Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences (BNYS)

BNYS teaches students about traditional naturopathic medicine as well as modern medicine. The naturopathic healing method supported by Naturopathy is used for concentrating on the body's innate capability of self-healing. The course lasts for a period of five and a half years, in which the classroom study is for a major part, i.e., four and a half years, and the remaining one year is for an internship, which is compulsory. Various things which the BNYS students get to learn in this AYUSH course are as follows:

• The natural method of childbirth
• Homeopathic medicine
• Importance of Acupuncture
• Therapy through good nutrition
• Herbal or botanical medicines

Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS)

This course teaches students about the ancient treatment systems prevalent for ages. The course duration is five and a half years. The core idea of the Siddha healing technique states that seven elements are responsible for controlling the psychological and physiological functions of the human body. An imbalance in one or more of these elements gives birth to a disease.

A BSMS student has numerous options for pursuing further studies. These are as follows:

• Nanju Nool or Toxicology
• Gunapadam or Pharmacology
• Sirappu Maruthuvam or Special Medicine
• Pillaippini Maruthvam or Paediatrics
• Siddha Maruthuvam -Pothu or General Medicine
• Noi Nadal or Pathology

Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS)

This undergraduate AYUSH course in India is associated with the Unani healing system. There are four prime components on which the Unani system is based: fire, water, air, and earth. This method has been highly effective for weight loss, kidney stones, psoriasis, arthritis, diabetes, and more. The duration of the main course is four years and six months, which is distributed into three professional exams, each of 18 months. 

Some of the important topics covered in the BUMS course are:

• Pharmacotherapy or all-bit-Dawa
• Dietotherapy or ilaj-bil-Ghiza
• Regimental therapy or ilaj-bit-Tadbeer
• Cauterization
• Surgery or Jarahat
• Venesection
• Turkish bath

Eligibility Criteria for AYUSH through NEET

To get admission in AYUSH courses through NEET 2025, one must go through the following points to know whether they are eligible to appear for the exam or not. 

• Students must be 17 years old on or before December 31, 2025. So, there is no upper age limit for the AYUSH courses. 
• Class 12 Qualification: You must pass Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English from a recognised board.
• Minimum Marks in PCB: Those students who belong to the General or EWS category must score 50 per cent. Students from the SC/ST/OBC must get a minimum of 40 per cent, and general category students should get a minimum of 45 per cent.
• Also, for BAMS 2025, NCISM need to withdraw the rule of 'must have 50 per cent in PCB.' However, NEET is still compulsory for AYUSH admission.
• Students need to pass the NEET UG with the mandated percentile. For General: 50 per cent, and for Reserved categories: 40 per cent.
• Students should be citizens of India. Also, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals can appear for the exam by applying for All India Quota seats.
• There is no limit to appear for the NEET exam.
• There is a 5 per cent horizontal reservation for PwD students.