Updated on Feb 27, 2026 00:46 IST
BAMS and BDS, being undergraduate professional courses in the medical field, are diversified in terms of practice. While the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) focuses on Ayurveda approach, the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) focuses on dental science and surgery.

Confused between BAMS and BDS? Don’t worry! This detailed analysis of both courses will help you figure out the best option and also provide you with additional information. Read this Shiksha article to know more related to the BAMS and BDS courses.

BAMS vs BDS: How to Choose Between the Two?

BAMS vs BDS: How to Choose Between the Two?

BAMS and BDS are both undergraduate courses in the medical field. BAMS teaches the Ayurveda method of treatment. BDS teaches dental care and dental surgery. Both courses need a NEET UG score for admission. Students of both courses must also complete a 1 year internship during the program. If you are confused about which course to choose, you can read this article. By the end, you will understand the eligibility, the entrance process, the syllabus, and many other important details about both courses.

Table of contents
  • BAMS vs BDS: Course Highlights
  • BAMS vs BDS: Definition
  • BAMS vs BDS: Eligibility Criteria
  • 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, KEAM, IPU CET, Merit-Based

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?

BAMS means Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. It is one of the most popular courses in the AYUSH field. The course is 5.6 years long, and this time includes a 1-year mandatory internship. In this course, students learn both modern medicine and traditional Ayurveda. Most BAMS colleges in India take students through the NEET UG score. Some colleges also accept state entrance exams like KEAM and IPU CET for admission.

What is BDS?

BDS means Bachelor of Dental Surgery. It is one of the most popular courses after MBBS. Students who want to become dentists in the future choose this course. The course is 5 years long, and it includes a 1-year compulsory internship. The admission to all BDS colleges is based only on the NEET UG score. The Dental Council of India (DCI) controls and manages the syllabus and rules for 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 2026
  • 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

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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

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

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BDS Syllabus 

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

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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 the list below to find the 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

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BAMS vs BDS: Jobs and Salaries

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 specialised 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

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