Updated on Mar 15, 2026 00:41 IST
The difference between MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and MD (Doctor of Medicine) has always been a topic of discussion. MBBS vs MD is a concept that would necessitate a comprehensive understanding of complex details about the two courses.

The difference between MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and MD (Doctor of Medicine) has always been a topic of discussion. MBBS vs MD is a concept that would necessitate a comprehensive understanding of complex details about the two courses.

MBBS and MD is a degree that are offered to students after completing their education. Medical aspirants must know the basic difference between MBBS and MD. Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is an undergraduate degree, while Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a postgraduate degree. Class 12 passed students can opt for MBBS, and the graduate students can pursue MD. This structure is followed in India, UK and other Commonwealth nations.
If a student wishes to study medical aboard in UAS and Canada, then the primary degree to become a doctor is MD. Admission to the MBBS and MD in India is based on entrance examinations. Interested students need to appear and qualify in the test to get admission in the best medical college in India. Here you will find the admission process, specializations, course fees and career options.

Table of contents
  • MD vs MBBS Admission in India
  • M D (Doctor of Medicine) - Specialties
  • Course Fees - MBBS vs MD
  • Scope of MBBS and MD programs

MD vs MBBS Admission in India

There are many medical colleges in India. However, All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Delhi is the dream college for the majority of medical aspirants. Many other top ranking institutes are there that offer excellent education in MBBS and MD.

Admission to MD and MBBS courses in India is done through the entrance examinations. Students need to fulfil the eligibility criteria to appear for the entrance test. National Eligibility CUM Entrance Test (NEET UG / NEET PG) is a national entrance test in India for admission to MBBS and MD. Other entrance tests for MD is Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) for MD admission in AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which is harder, NEET or JEE?
A: 
JEE is related to the engineering field, whereas NEET is related to the medical field. JEE and NEET are both held on an annual basis, and with limited seats, passing these exams becomes more difficult for students. Furthermore, the number of seats in medical colleges is much lower than in engineering colleges. Due to the lesser number of seats available in medical colleges and the high level of competition in NEET getting into a good medical college is challenging. As for difficulty level, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is slightly tougher than Joint Entrance Examination-Mains but easier than Joint Entrance Examination-Advanced, but that is subjective, as seats are comparatively limited in National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, making it more competitive. Least Difficult: JEE Mains. Difficult: NEET. Most Difficulty: JEE Advanced. I hope this will help you.
Q:   What is the total number of NEET 2027 exam centres?
A: 

The exact numbers of NEET 2027 exam centres will be announced by NTA along with the result details.

Q:   What is the total number of NEET exam cities?
A: 

The total number of exam cities for NEET is 566. The number of NEET exam cities in India are 552 and in abroad are 14. The number of exam cities in India changes every year. The exact number is known through the notification PDF.

Q:   What is the significance of the NEET seat matrix?
A: 

Seat matrix for NEET counselling is important for choice filling process. Before filling and locking seat choices for each round of NEET counselling, candidates must go through seat matrix or seat vacancy and then enter their choices. MCC releases seat matrix prior to commencement of counselling process. This is overall seat matrix for all four rounds of counselling. Candidates participating in Round 1 NEET counselling will have to choose from entire gamut of seats. From second round onwards, seat matrix is released in terms of newly added seats and clear and virtual vacancies. With each round of counselling, number of available seats or vacant seats reduces. 

M D (Doctor of Medicine) - Specialties

  • Anatomy
  • Anesthesiology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry UG PG
  • Community Medicine
  • Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
  • Dermatology and Venereology
  • Laboratory Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Medicine
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Ophthalmology
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Pathology
  • Pharmacology
  • Pediatrics
  • Physiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR)
  • Radiotherapy
  • Radio-Diagnosis

While pursuing the course of MBBS, the student goes through training in all facets of understanding medicine. This comprises areas such as Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, Applied Pharmacology, Applied Medical Biochemistry, Human Microbiology, Human Pathology, Dermatology, Otolaryngology, Pediatrics, and General Surgery. Apart from these key areas, several other areas are also covered. This emphasizes that the student studies all branches of medicine, on the whole. Thus, it is a common fundamental degree.

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Course Fees - MBBS vs MD

NEET entrance exam for undergraduate and postgraduate has lessened the trouble from students to sit for various state-level exams. Also, making it compulsory for government and private colleges to disclose the MBBS course fees has enabled candidates to know the amount to be paid with the fair admission procedure and assist them to be more positive for their admissions. Candidates can check the course fees of the MBBS courses by visiting the official website. MBBS course fees vary between all the government-aided institutions/ government/central universities and deemed universities/private institutions. The fee for MBBS course of AIIMS, the leading institution of the country in regards to medical education, is determined by All India Institute of Medical Sciences for its nine campuses all through the country. The course fee of MBBS at AIIMS is very reasonable with the yearly course fee of sum INR 5856/-. The hostel fees are provided subject to accessibility. The course fee of MBBS in AIIMS for candidates applying in the NRI quota is 75,000 USD for the whole course.

The MD course fee can differ extensively based on the kind of institute - private or public. Also within these two groups as well the fee may differ from one institute to another; the variation is more distinct in private colleges than in public colleges.

Talking about the fee charged by public colleges, the leading medical institutions in the country, AIIMS Delhi and the other AIIMS charge an annual tuition fee of Rs. 702 only. Other constituents of fee structure include electricity, pot money, caution money, and Gymkhana Fee. The whole yearly fee after including all the constituents is below Rs. 2000. Also, AIIMS does not ask for any hostel fees from its learners. Other medical colleges that are run by the government might ask for a bit higher fee, still, it is quite less than what is asked by private institutes.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Will NEET be conducted twice?
A: 

Although earlier NTA was mulling the idea of conducting NEET twice a year, now it has been confirmed that the exam will be held only once a year in a paper-pencil based mode. NTA communicated this information through an RTI response where it was stated that NEET will be conducted once a year. This has quashed the possibility of conducting NEET twice a year. However, the NTA expert committee headed by ISRO Chief K. Radhakrishnan has recommended conducting NEET twice a year, but there has not been any official confirmation on it yet. 

Q:   What is NEET OMR Sheet?
A: 

The NEET OMR sheet is the sheet on which responses are marked by candidates on the exam day. The OMR stands for Optical Mark Recognition. The sheet contains the bubbles against each question numbers. Candidates need to fill the bubble of the correct option. The answers marked on the OMR sheet are checked digitally so candidates must fill the sheet carefully.

Q:   What does NEET stand for?
A: 

NEET stands for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test. It is a mandatory medical entrance exam for students to take admissions for undergraduate medical courses in India such as MBBS, BDS, BSc and Ayush.

Q:   Is there any provision for conducting the NEET exam twice in a year?
A: 

There is no provision in conducting the NEET 2026 exam twice a year. The NTA conducts the exam only once a year in the month of May. Candidates need to keep a track on the NTA NEET website to get the updates on the exam.

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Scope of MBBS and MD programs

MBBS is a tremendously dynamic field and jobs are available in both private and public hospitals. A person can apply for jobs in government medical institutes and even in numerous private hospitals. Doctors can also begin practicing on their own after getting them licensed and registered by the Medical Council of India. After completing MBBS, candidates can also choose to further their studies by pursuing MD programs.

After completing the MD degree, individuals get a host of employment opportunities before them. They can work in both public and private hospitals as physicians. Job prospects are also present in medical institutes/colleges, health segments of the state government, nursing homes, and clinics. After completing MD, individuals can also work as educators or research fellows in several universities and colleges that teach healthcare education. They also have the choice of working as a self-employed individual and conduct their private practice.

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Answered Yesterday

Here is the table below showing some of the top BSc Nursing college without NEET in Delhi NCR, along with their tuition fees.

Top CollegesTuition Fee
Amity University, GurugramINR 7.52 lakh
Sharda School of Nursing Science & ResearchINR 11.08 lakh
SGT University, GurgaonINR 13 lakh
Holy Family College of NursingINR 2.4 lakh
SVSU - Swami Vivekanand Subharti UniversityINR 9.95 lakh

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

In many cases, yes. Some sources say NEET is not compulsory for BPT in Karnataka. Many private colleges admit students on 12th marks. Government and counselling seats may follow a different process. Rules change every year, so read the latest notice before you apply.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Not always. While NEET is common, several Karnataka colleges also accept KCET scores, and some even offer direct admission based on 12th marks. This is different from MBBS, where NEET is compulsory everywhere. So if you missed NEET or didn't score well, you still have other routes into a good nursin

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The Kerala NEET UG Counselling Round 3 was conducted from September 16 to September 26. The deadline for candidates to report and join their allotted college/seat was October 1.

S

Sneha Singh

Beginner-Level 4

Answered a week ago

Yes, NEET UG is compulsory for any MBBS admission in India, including Bhopal. There is no other entrance exam or backdoor route allowed legally. After NEET, admission happens either via AIIMS-specific counselling or MP state counselling. Management quota seats also require a valid NEET score first.

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Hi.

Yes. You can do many paramedical/allied-health courses in Chennai without NEET.

For Tamil Nadu, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research has a separate admission process for Allied and Healthcare (AHS) UG degree courses, distinct from MBBS/BDS admission. The 2026–27 admission notification

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a week ago

Students need to attain a rank of at least 1746 in the NEET exam if they belong to the General AI category. The AIIMS Bathinda NEET Cutoff 2026 is released in the form of ranks. Candiates can check the table below to know the maximum rank required for other categories. 

CategoryAIIMS Bathinda NEET Cutoff 2026
General1746
OBC2185
SC18819
ST28998
EWS2928
PwD118549

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Most B.Sc Nursing programmes in Uttar Pradesh do require a NEET UG score for admission. Some diploma-level or Post Basic Nursing programmes may accept students through separate state entrance tests instead. Private colleges sometimes have their own entrance criteria too. It's best to check each coll

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Possibly yes, if your college accepts the separate MH B.Sc Nursing CET exam. Not every student needs to clear NEET to get a nursing seat in Maharashtra. Some private institutes rely purely on this state-level test. So a weak NEET score doesn't automatically close the door on nursing.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Admission to medical and dental courses (like MBBS and BDS) in India is strictly based on your NEET rank and score not on your 12th grade board exam marks.
When you qualify for NEET and attend the counseling process you must carry the following documents in original along with photocopies:
NEET Admit

...Read more

S

Swati Pandey

Contributor-Level 10