BUMS: Course Fees, Admission 2025, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Career Scope

BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery) is an undergraduate degree programme in the field of Unani medicine and surgery. BUMS course covers the medical knowledge of the Unani system. To pursue and owe this degree is quite enough to become a doctor (Hakim) in the Unani medical field.

BUMS course is awarded after the completion of 5.5 years academic programme containing the 4.5 year academic session and 1 year internship programme with live practical. The undergraduate programme in Unani system can be pursued through the distance education system.

Candidates can check below the benefits of pursuing the BUMS course:

• Growing Demand for Alternative Medicine: There is an increasing global interest in alternative and traditional medicine. 

• Diverse Career Opportunities: Graduates can pursue careers as Unani physicians, researchers, educators, pharmacists, consultants, and more. 

• Integration with Modern Medicine: The BUMS curriculum includes modern medical sciences, enabling graduates to integrate Unani practices with contemporary medical knowledge, thus providing more comprehensive healthcare solutions.

• Research Opportunities: There are significant opportunities for research in Unani medicine, including the development of new treatments and herbal medicines. 

• Job Security and Stability: With a recognised degree and professional qualification, BUMS graduates have the potential for stable and secure employment in both the public and private healthcare sectors.

Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses.

Note: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

BHMS focuses on homeopathy, which is based on the principle of "like cures like" and uses highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s healing processes. BUMS, on the other hand, is rooted in the Unani system of medicine, which emphasizes balancing the body's four humours (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) through natural remedies, diet, and lifestyle changes.

Choosing which is better depends on personal interest and career goals. BHMS is widely practised in India and globally, with more emphasis on individualistic treatment, while BUMS has a rich historical tradition and is gaining recognition for its use of herbal and natural remedies. 

MBBS is a degree in allopathic medicine, focusing on modern scientific principles and treatments. 

On the other hand, BUMS course is based on Unani medicine, which traces its origins to ancient Greek medicine. 

Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses.

Note: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

In India, BUMS courses typically require proficiency in Urdu as it is the medium of instruction for most Unani colleges.

Urdu is used for teaching subjects related to Unani medicine, including textbooks and lectures. Therefore, proficiency in Urdu is usually essential for understanding the curriculum and communicating effectively in academic settings. 

Yes, BUMS course can be pursued after completing Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as the main subjects. Admission to BUMS courses in India is usually through NEET. 

Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the respective universities or colleges offering BUMS courses, which typically include minimum qualifying marks in PCB subjects and age requirements. 

The age limit for admission to BUMS courses in India varies depending on the university or institution offering the program. 

Generally, candidates must be at least 17 years old to apply. There is usually no upper age limit specified for the BUMS admission process, although some universities may have their criteria regarding the maximum age for eligibility.

Begin by exploring Unani medicine, delving into its history, scope, and various treatment approaches. Consider watching interviews with BUMS graduates or visiting Unani health centers to observe the work environment and how patients are treated.

Additionally, engage in conversations with current students or alumni of BUMS programs to gain insights into what they find inspiring or challenging. Genuine enthusiasm for the subject often surfaces when individuals feel a strong connection to it beyond just academic settings.

Yes, the BUMS course in India generally requires NEET qualification for admission. 

NEET is the common entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate medical courses including BUMS, MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, etc.

The entrance exam for BUMS mainly NEET-UG is conducted only offline (pen-paper based). Students are required to answer multiple-choice questions on a paper-based OMR sheet after which students submit their answer sheet.
While registration and obtainment of admit cards are done online, the actual exam is offline as per the NTA's current policy as communicated to schools. Although students need to insure they keep current by visiting the official NEET -UG site for any changes in either mode or pattern.

No, there is no option. NEET-UG is a requirement for entry to recognised BUMS colleges in India. The Ministry of AYUSH makes this qualification within NEET mandatory for all Unani medical admissions.
This will be the case for private colleges too. Without NEET, you may not get a proper admission, as NEET is the only entrance exam for AYUSH courses including BUMS.

Some courses in the BUMS course that are said to be "tricky" in terms of principles, or are defined as tricky simply due to the theoretical nature of the subjects and the inclusion of classical texts in Arabic or Persian.

• Ilmul Advia (Unani Pharmacology): Committing to memory a vast memory of herbs, formulations, and their properties.
• Tibbe Qanooni (Unani Forensic Medicine): The terminology can be challenging, and the understanding of medicolegal circumstances is complex.
• Kulliyat-e-Tibb (Basic Principles): Heavy theoretical and philosophical aspects to some of the core materials that may seem abstract to beginners.
• Moalijat (Medicine): Requires a high level of clinical reasoning with knowledge of Unani treatment protocols.

Certain BUMS subjects are seen, and perhaps rightfully so, as simpler because the concepts are clear and students can see the practical use for those concepts.

• Ilmul Saidla (Pharmacy): all about formulation and compounding and most of the subject will relate to egg-based practicals. 
• Tahaffuzi wa Samaji Tib (Preventive & Social Medicine) there is little or no practical application and it is based on theory closely linked to real public health practice.
• Arabic and Urdu are only an additional positive grade if you already know them.
• Ain, Uzn, Halaq wa Anaf (ENT) is short and requires little thought, making it manageable for most students.

There are, of course, BUMS subjects that have a more direct match in job roles in Unani hospitals, dispensaries, research, or health startups. 

• Ilmul Advia: Important subject for jobs in Unani pharmacy or units of manufacture. 
• Moalijat: The clinical basis—used by Unani doctors on a daily basis.
• Ilaj bit Tadbeer (Regimenal Therapy): Good to consider if you want to work in wellness centers with cupping and massage services.
• Tahaffuzi ya Samaji Tib: Important subject when thinking about jobs with public health agencies, or in community health projects.

College ranking is significant in some ways, especially when ranking the quality of faculty members, infrastructure, amount of clinical exposure, and tied hospitals. Usually, top-tiered colleges will provide solid experiences in hands-on experiences and placements. 
But, for Unani medicine (BUMS), practical training education and accreditation recognition (i.e. NCISM), all matter just as much. I am sure a lower-tiered, yet recognised school, can give a strong BUMS education with facilities.

Currently, the only entrance test accepted by colleges in India, both Government and private AYUSH, for BUMS admission is NEET-UG.

There are institutes such as Jamia Hamdard (Delhi), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and state AYUSH colleges that require NEET scores to study BUMS; there is no separate entrance test held by these colleges for BUMS no longer.

In the context of the BUMS course, practitioners are trained to perform minor surgical procedures relevant to Unani medicine practices. These procedures typically include treatments such as incision, drainage, and certain therapeutic interventions aimed at managing conditions within the scope of Unani medicine. 

However, BUMS practitioners are not trained or licensed to perform major surgeries like those undertaken by MBBS doctors specializing in allopathic medicine. 

Yes, graduates of BUMS courses are typically authorized to use the title 'Dr' as a courtesy prefix before their names, acknowledging their status as medical practitioners in the field of Unani medicine. 

However, it's important to note that the use of 'Dr' should be by the regulations and guidelines set by the respective state medical councils or regulatory bodies. 

Yes, after completing the BUMS course, graduates are eligible to pursue PG studies in various specializations within the field of Unani medicine. 

Postgraduate courses such as MD and MS are available after the BUMS course. These programs offer advanced training and specialisation in specific areas of Unani medicine, enabling graduates to deepen their knowledge and clinical expertise. 

The salary of a Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) graduate in India can vary based on several factors such as experience, skills, location, type of employment, and the specific industry or sector they work in. Here's a general breakdown of the level-wise annual salary range for BUMS graduates in India:

• Entry-Level: INR 2.5–3 LPA

• Mid-Level: INR 5-10 LPA

• Senior-Level: INR 10 and above

Yes, after completing a Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS), you can pursue postgraduate studies leading to an MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree in various specialities within Unani medicine.

Several universities and institutions in India offer MD programs in different disciplines of Unani medicine such as Moalajat (Medicine), Ilmul Advia (Pharmacology), Ilmul Qabalat wa Amraz-e-Niswan (Gynecology and Obstetrics), Ilmul Jarahat (Surgery), and more

No, the BUMS course is not equivalent to MBBS. Both are undergraduate medical degrees, but they pertain to different systems of medicine.

MBBS is focused on modern allopathic medicine, which is the mainstream form of medicine practised in most parts of the world, including India.

BUMS course, on the other hand, is based on the principles of Unani medicine, which is a traditional system of medicine originating in ancient Greece and subsequently developed into a comprehensive medical system by Islamic scholars.

BUMS specifically attracts students who are passionate about natural therapies, holistic healing or traditional medicine, and have a passion for pharmacology, anatomy, and Unani principles.
Students with patience, empathy, and a willingness to work within the late 19th and the early 21st centuries to find a synthesis of traditional and modern approaches to health and health care will find this course more meaningful and useful over time.

If you have an interest in natural medicine and healing systems, as well as an interest in alternative health care systems, BUMS may fit you well. Ask yourself, is the interest in traditional diagnosis, and Unani formulations clear.

Also, ask yourself, do I feel I could engage a long-term academic pathway, long-term, clinical practice. Observing Unani practitioners, or visiting a Unani hospital, may help funnel and assess your real-world interest.

The BUMS course equips you with a variety of professional and clinical skills relevant to both modern and traditional healthcare settings.

• Clinical diagnosis and patient consultation
• Unani pharmacology and formulation skills
• Regimenal therapy techniques (cupping, massage, etc.)
• Health education and preventive care planning
• Language proficiency in Arabic, Urdu, and medical terminology

While BUMS is not without its challenges in terms of recognition and practice, it does provide imperative opportunities. If in specific regions Unani has low levels of awareness and acceptance, then job opportunities may be limited.  

The salary starts lower than allopathy, which may be discouraging to some, and all Unani practitioners need to keep learning as the Unani system is combined with modern medical science. Whereas in some states, independent practice is restricted without being registered with the state council.