BAMS vs BDS – Differences, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs, Salaries, and More!
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BAMS and BDS, being undergraduate professional courses in medical field, are diversified in terms of practice. While Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) focuses on Ayurveda approach, Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) focuses on dental science and surgery.
Another similar thing is that admission to both courses depend on NEET UG score. And both courses need their students to complete a 1 year internship during program.
If you have doubts about selection of course for your career, give this article a read. By end, you’ll have clear perspective on eligibility criteria, entrance, syllabus, and other plethora of information about both options.
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- BAMS vs BDS: Course Highlights
- BAMS vs BDS: Definition
- BAMS vs BDS: Eligibility Criteria
- BAMS vs BDS: Entrance Exams 2024
- BAMS vs BDS: Syllabus
- BAMS vs BDS: Top Colleges
BAMS vs BDS: Course Highlights
This section offers some key highlights of both courses for easy understanding. Read this table to have an overview of significant details related to them.
| Parameters |
BAMS |
BDS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form |
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
| Course Level |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
| Duration |
5.6 Years (4.6 Years + 1 Year of Mandatory Internship) |
5 Years (4 Years + 1 Year of Mandatory Internship) |
| Entrance Exam |
NEET UG |
|
| Average Course Fee |
INR 20,000 – 3,00,000 |
INR 50,000 – 12,00,000 |
| Average Salary |
INR 10,000 – 50,000 |
INR 4,00,000 – 10,00,000 |
| Specialisations |
Ayurvedic Medicine |
Dental Science |
| Top Recruiters |
Patanjali Ayurveda Limited, Vicco Laboratories, Dabur India Ltd, Surya Herbal Ltd, etc. |
Cipla, Dr Reddys Laboratories, Lupin, and so on. |
BAMS vs BDS: Definition
What is BAMS?
To start with BAMS, Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery is one of most popular courses among AYUSH courses. It is 5.6-year course that includes a 1 year of compulsory internship. In this study program, an integrated system of modern medicine and traditional Ayurveda is covered.
Candidates belonging to the General category should secure 50 percentile. Those belonging to the PwD General category has to secure 45 percentile. The NEET cutoff percentile for the reserved category candidates is 40. The exact qualifying marks or cutoff scores will be announced by NTA along with the scorecards. This year, General category candidates had to score minimum 137 marks to qualify for the exam. The highest score secured in NEET 2023 was 720 out of 720, obtained by two candidates.
Yes, AIIMS Raipur accepts NEET scores. There is no other entrance exam conducted by AIIMS Raipur or AIIMS institutes for MBBS admission. Although earlier AIIMS used to conduct its own entrance exam, but it was scrapped in 2020. The admission to AIIMS Raipur takes place through NEET counselling, conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee. AIIMS Raipur seats are a part of the 15 per cent All India Quota (AIQ) seats. Candidates must secure a NEET score above 700 in order to have a chance to get admission to the MBBS course in this coveted medical institute of India.
Generally, scores of NEET UG are considered to grant admission across various BAMS institutes in India, some institutions also accept state level entrance exam scores that include KEAM, IPU CET, etc.
What is BDS?
BDS, i.e., Bachelor of Dental Surgery is one of most prominent courses after MBBS. Students who wish to see themselves as a Dentist in future opt for this course. It is 5 year bachelor's program, including 1 year of compulsory internship.
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Admission to any BDS institute is based on NEET UG scores only. And Dental Council of India (DCI) regulates curriculum of this course.
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BAMS vs BDS: Eligibility Criteria
See below table
| Parameters |
BAMS |
BDS |
|---|---|---|
| Education |
Passed Class 12th from a recognized board |
Passed Class 12th from a recognized board |
| Compulsory Subjects |
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English. |
PCB in Class 12th |
| Minimum Percentage |
Minimum of 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in 12th. |
Minimum of 60% in Class 12th. |
| Minimum Age |
Must be 17 years old. |
NA |
BAMS vs BDS: Entrance Exams 2024
To get admission to the top BAMS and BDS schools, students must go through the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) exam.
See below for more details about both courses.
| Parameters |
BAMS |
BDS |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Mode of Exam |
Offline |
Offline |
| Entrance Exams |
NEET UG, KEAM, IPU CET, Merit-Based |
NEET UG |
| Entrance Exams Syllabus |
Botany, Physics, Chemistry, and Zoology |
Botany, Physics, Chemistry, and Zoology |
BAMS vs BDS: Syllabus
BAMS is a 5.6 year course that includes 1 year of internship and BDS is 5 year course that includes 1 year mandatory internship as well. So, let’s get a general overview of BAMS and BDS syllabus in India
Yes, there can be more than one topper in NEET. Basically, any NEET taker, who has scored 720 or close to that, and has ranked between 1 and 10, are considered as NEET toppers. Since NEET is an objective-type multiple-choice question (MCQ) test, there is a possibility that more than one candidates can score full marks. In that case, the tie-breaking criterion will be applied to determine the All India Rank (AIR) of the toppers. In rare scenario, two NEET toppers can be given AIR 1. For instance, in NEET 2023, two candidates scored 720 and both of them secured AIR 1. On the other hand, the third candidate scored 716 out of 720 and was allotted AIR 3.
NEET safe score for the reserved category candidates or the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories is likely to be in the range of 400 to 600, or above. Candidates aiming for an MBBS seat at the top medical colleges in India or AIIMS should score above 500 to be on the safer side. On the other hand, scoring in the range of 400 and 600 will also be fruitful if candidates plan to join MBBS score at the mid to top rung medical college, or if he or she would like to opt for BDS or BSc Nursing courses at a top instittue in India. In case a candidate scores below 400 in NEET, then he or she may need to wait till the third or fourth round of NEET counselling to get a seat allotment.
BAMS Syllabus
The syllabus of BAMS course covers a wide range of subjects in Ayurveda. The whole syllabus is divided into 4 professionals which includes subjects like Padartha Vigyan and Ayurved Itihasa, Rog-Nidan, Kayachikitsa, and more.
| BAMS Syllabus Year 1 | |
|---|---|
| Padartha Vigyan And Ayurved Itihas | Sanskrit |
| Kriya Shareera | Rachana Shareera |
| BAMS Syllabus Year 2 | |
| Dravyaguna Vigyan | Roga Nidan |
| Rasashastra Evam Bhaishajyakalpana | Bhaishajyakalpana |
| BAMS Syllabus Year 3 | |
| Agadtantra | Swasthavritta |
| Prasooti Tantra And Stri Roga | Kaumarbhritya Parichaya |
| BAMS Syllabus Year 4 | |
| Kayachikitsa | Panchakarma |
| Shalya Tantra | Shalakya Tantra |
BAMS vs BDS Topics you may be interested in:
Admission to AYUSH courses through NEET 2024
The BDS syllabus consists of General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics, General and Dental Pharmacology. The theoretical subjects are divided into 8 semesters and for practical knowledge, 1 year of paid internship is provided.
| BDS Syllabus Semester 1 | |
|---|---|
| General Human Anatomy including Embryology and Histology | General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Dietetics |
| Dental Anatomy, embryology, and Oral Histology | - |
| BDS Syllabus Semester 2 | |
| Dental Materials | Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge |
| BDS Syllabus Semester 3 | |
| General Pathology and Microbiology | General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
| Preclinical Conservative Dentistry | - |
| BDS Syllabus Semester 4 | |
| Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge | Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology |
| BDS Syllabus Semester 5 | |
| General Medicine | General Surgery |
| Oral Pathology & Microbiology | Conservative Dentistry And Endodontics |
| BDS Syllabus Semester 6 | |
| Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery | Oral Medicine And Radiology |
| Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics | Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry |
| BDS Syllabus Semester 7 | |
| Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics | Oral Medicine and Radiology |
| Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry | Periodontology |
| BDS Syllabus Semester 8 | |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge |
| Conservative Dentistry And Endodontics | Conservative Dentistry And Endodontics |
BAMS vs BDS: Top Colleges
There are around 323 BDS and 227 BAMS colleges in India, out of which, 178 are private BAMS colleges. Students who wish to pursue their career with a good institution can look at list of top BAMS and BDS colleges in India mentioned below.
Top BAMS Colleges in India
Here is list of top BAMS colleges in India for students interested in pursuing their career in the Ayurveda field.
| Top BAMS Colleges in India |
Fees in INR |
|---|---|
| Institute of Medical Sciences |
2.5 Lakh |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences |
18.75 Lakh |
| Parul University Vadodara |
14.20 Lakh |
| Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University |
12.60 Lakh |
| Banaras Hindu University |
51,845 |
| Gujarat Ayurveda University |
1.5 Lakh |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University |
14.25 Lakh |
| Kerala University of Health Sciences |
2.75 Lakh |
| Baba Farid University of Health Science |
1.48 Lakh |
Top BDS Colleges in India
see list below to find best BDS colleges in India.
| Top BDS Colleges in India |
Fees in INR |
|---|---|
| King George’s Medical University - Lucknow |
5.5 Lakh |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Medical Sciences |
- |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences |
8.5 Lakh/Per Year |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences |
19.7 Lakh |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences |
20 Lakh |
| SRM Dental College, Ramapuram Campus, Chennai |
17.6 Lakh |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research |
24 Lakh |
| Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital |
22 Lakh |
Relevant Links for BAMS vs BDS:
Ayurveda courses gained prominence post Covid-19; Know Career options after BAMS
People undoubtedly are turning to Ayurveda for so many reasons. This opens plenty of career prospects in the field. Similarly, with changing lifestyles, the demand for oral health will also increase. Therefore, let’s take a quick look at future possibilities in both the Dental and Ayurveda fields of healthcare.
What After BAMS?
After completing the BAMS course, students can opt for higher studies or take up specialized practice such as the therapy of skin diseases, spinal disorders, etc.
Some of the career opportunities include:
| Top BAMS Job Profiles |
Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Ayurveda dietician |
2.2 Lakh – 3.9 Lakh |
| Ayurveda Teacher |
4 Lakh – 6 Lakh |
| Ayurveda Practitioner |
7.2 Lakh |
| Ayurveda Pharmacist |
2.8 Lakh |
| Ayurveda Counsellor |
3.5 Lakh |
| Ayurveda Therapist |
3.5 Lakh |
| Ayurveda Nutritionist |
3.9 Lakh |
What After BDS?
After BDS students can go for higher degrees such as MDS, MHA (Master in Hospital Administration), MPH (Masters in Public Health) and so on.
Some of the career opportunities include:
| Top BDS Job Profiles |
Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dentist |
6 Lakh |
| Lecturer |
3.5 – 4.4 Lakh |
| Dental Cosmetology |
15 – 40.8 Lakh |
| Forensic Dentistry |
9.56 Lakh |
| Consultant |
5 Lakh |
BAMS vs BDS Topics you may be interested in:
Career after BDS: Scope, Job Opportunities, and Salary
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 21 hours ago
NIMS University NEET UG cutoff 2024 was released for admission to the MBBS and BDS courses. The NIMS University BDS Cutoff 2024 was 766583 in the last round closing cutoff as per the NEET UG examination for the General Al quota. For the General HS quota, the last round closing rank was 572020 for BD
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 22 hours ago
The Jaipur National University NEET Cutoff 2024 for the General category candidates under the All India quota was 1106920 as per the last round closing rank. Whereas, for the General Category female candidates, the NEET Cutoff 2024 was 975413. For the students belonging to the General HS quota, the
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 23 hours ago
The Jaipur National University NEET Cutoff 2024 for the General category candidates under the All India quota was 1106920 as per the last round closing rank. Whereas, for the General AI quota female candidates, the cutoff was 975413.
Among the General HS quota, the NEET Cutoff 2024 for admission to
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Students who either are born in Gujarat or hold a domicile in the state are eligible to appear for Gujarat NEET UG Counselling for MBBS and BDS courses. Moreover, students need to clear the NEET UG exam to take part in the state counselling.
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The minimum qualifying percentile for OBC category in NEET UG exam is 40th. In NEET 2025, the cutoff score for OBC was 143-113. The NEET percentile of OBC remains the same every year. However, the scores get changed.
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The minimum qualifying percentile for NEET UG exam is shared below-
Category | NEET 2025 Cutoff percentile |
|---|---|
UR/EWS | 50th |
OBC, SC, ST | 40th |
UR/EWS-PwD | 45th |
OBC/SC/St-PwD | 40th |
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The NTA NEET UG 2026 exam city slip will be released around 10 days before the exam. Students will get to know the allotted exam city through the city intimation slip. The NEET exam centre will be located at the allotted city.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The NTA will release the admit card for the NEET 2026 around three to four days before the exam. The NEET admit card will be displayed at neet.nta.nic.in. Registered students can download their hall tickets using the login details.
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The NEET 2026 exam pattern has not been released as of now. The NTA will mention the pattern in the information bulletin. The change in the NEET pattern will be known after the release of notification. The NTA changed the NEET question paper pattern in 2025. The NTA removed the optional questions an
V
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Candidates can fill the NEET form using the process shared below-
- Visit neet.nta.nic.in.
- Click on the registration link.
- Read the instructions carefully and acknowledge them.
- Register for the exam and generate a password.
- Enter the OTP to verify the details.
- Log in with the registration details.
- Fill the c
M
Beginner-Level 5
Candidates will be allowed to enter three cities in the order of their preference. Till last year, candidates could select two cities only. Earlier, till 2022, candidates could enter as many as four cities. The list of exam cities in the dropdown menu will be based on the permanent and present address entered by candidates in the registration form of NEET. This would ensure that candidates are allotted a city in or near their present and permanent address. This also led to reduction in choosing other cities mistakenly.