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Pursuing an MBBS degree in India is a dream for many students. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET UG) examination is the only gateway to get started with the MBBS course in the country. The process of becoming a doctor is cumbersome and being aware of key details can help you to achieve your goal easily.
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There are numerous medical colleges in India offering an MBBS course however, the journey to becoming a doctor is challenging and competitive. It requires dedication, proper planning and an understanding of various factors that shape the MBBS journey. Clearing the NEET UG examination is the first step in this journey. There are many other factors such as admission process, reservations, eligibility for state counselling, bonds, fees and what not that students are not aware of. In this guide from Careers360 we will explore the 10 essential things that you must know before pursuing an MBBS degree in India.
MBBS in India is a 5.5 years course. To start on with the journey candidates need a few important details which are often ignored. Below mentioned are 10 things that medical aspirants need to know to pursue MBBS in India.
The very first thing that all the candidates must understand is they should meet the basic NEET 2025 eligibility criteria which has been mentioned below.
To be eligible for MBBS in India, candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) in their class 12 or equivalent. Biology is a compulsory subject for medical aspirants.
Candidates must have secured at least 50% marks in their class 12 or equivalent examination.
Additionally, candidates need to be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the year in which they are applying for the entrance exam. While there is a minimum age requirement, there is no upper age limit for applying.
Candidates need to be an Indian citizen however, OCI/ PIO candidates are also eligible.
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NEET UG, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is the only entrance exam for MBBS admissions across all medical colleges and universities in India. This pen and paper based test covers the Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) subjects. To secure admission in any medical or dental college, candidates must score above the qualifying NEET cutoff. Given the limited number of seats available, achieving a high NEET rank is crucial for gaining admission to a reputable medical college.
What many students are unaware of is the MBBS admissions in their respective states that cover 85% of government seats and 100% of private seats. To qualify for this quota, students need to provide a domicile certificate, proving that they have been residents of the respective state for a specified period, completing or have completed their schooling, particularly classes 11 and 12, in the state. A NEET domicile certificate, which proves long-term residency in a state, is important if a candidate is aiming for a government college in their home state.
However, there are exceptions to these rules. For instance, children of central government employees or those whose parents are permanent residents of the state may be considered eligible, even if the student has not completed all schooling there. It’s important to be aware of these regulations early as discovering them in class 12 might be too late to make adjustments.
Indian nationals hold primary eligibility for MBBS seats in India, but private and deemed universities also have a designated quota for NRI candidates. The confusion often arises regarding OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) candidates. Previously, OCI students who had studied in India were treated equal to Indian citizens for admission purposes. However, recent rules have brought changes, largely dependent on the issue date of the OCI certificate.
According to a Supreme Court decision on February 3, 2023, OCI/PIO candidates who obtained their OCI/PIO card before March 4, 2021 will be considered Indian nationals and can apply for seats in the open category. However, if the OCI certificate was issued after March 4, 2021, or the candidate does not meet other criteria, they will be classified under Foreign national candidacy for admissions.
Medical aspirants are often confused about the reservations in MBBS seats in India. Reservations such as OBC-NCL, EWS, SC and ST vary across states, as there are both central and state-specific lists for these categories. Sometimes, a category recognized in a particular state may not appear in the central list, or vice versa. In such cases, students need to be cautious during the counselling process.
For All India counselling and seat allocation, the central lists for OBC, SC, and ST are generally used, while individual states follow their own reservation lists. This means that even if a student belongs to a reserved category in their home state, they may be considered under the general category in another state during counselling.
Another important aspect is the Religious/Minority or Linguistic Quota. Some deemed universities and private colleges reserve seats based on religious or linguistic backgrounds. For instance, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, has a quota for Muslim students, while SBKS Medical Institute and Research Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, has a Jain quota. Similarly, Christian Medical College (CMC) offers a Christian quota, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, has a Tulu quota, MVJ Medical College in Channasandra, Bangalore, reserves seats for Tamil students, and Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (VIMSRC), Bangalore, offers a Telugu quota.
There are also other specialized categories, such as Sports and Defence quotas, which depend on the state’s individual policies. Understanding these categories and their application is crucial for students during the admission process.
Another important factor that candidates must know before applying for MBBS in India is that even Indian candidates cannot apply for the state government quota seats unless they meet the residency or domicile requirements of that particular state. As a result, most students are only eligible for government quota seats in their home state and through the All India Quota process. However, they do have the option to apply for management quota seats in private colleges in other states, where residency requirements do not apply. Understanding this distinction is essential when considering where to apply for MBBS admissions.
Each year, students can convert their application status from Indian to NRI for admission purposes. These are sponsored seats and many candidates take advantage of this opportunity. To qualify for this conversion, applicants must have a direct relative such as a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, brother or sister who is an NRI and willing to sponsor their seat. This option is often utilized by students with lower NEET ranks seeking to secure a medical seat. It’s important to note that these seats are quite expensive, with tuition fees typically charged in USD.
While preference is usually given to NRI candidates from the same state, this quota is often accessible to candidates from other states as well. In addition to deemed universities and private colleges, institutions like AIIMS Delhi and certain government colleges in states such as Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh also offer NRI seats. Understanding these opportunities can be crucial for students exploring their options for medical admissions.
Candidates need to understand that there are two types of seat allotment processes for MBBS admissions which are done through NEET counselling.
The first is the All India Counselling, which is not restricted by domicile and allocates 15% of seats in government medical colleges across the country. This process also covers 100% of seats in deemed universities, central universities (such as Delhi University, AMU, and BHU, including institutional or domicile quotas), ESIC, and all seats in AIIMS and JIPMER. Any candidate with a valid NEET rank can participate in this counselling.
The second type is State Counselling which is conducted by the respective state authorities. This process pertains to 85% of the seats in government colleges within the state and 100% of seats in private colleges. Of these, the government seats and 50% of private college seats are reserved under the state quota and are available to students who are residents of that state. The remaining seats in private colleges are typically filled through management quota or NRI categories.
This is through the All India counselling portal. For AFMC Pune, the registrations are through the All India portal but allotments are by the institute. IP University and Delhi state quota are through All India portal but open only to students who have studied their class 11 and class 12 in Delhi.
An important aspect of MBBS seat allocation in India is the requirement for NEET UG bonds related to service or course discontinuation. Most states mandate a rural service bond or a discontinuation bond, with the amounts varying significantly. Private colleges and deemed universities typically require a discontinuation bond, which also has differing amounts.
The discontinuation bond implies that if you decide to leave the course before completion, you will have to pay a specified amount. In contrast, signing a service bond commits you to work in a government hospital or serve in rural areas for a designated period after completing your MBBS. The bond amounts can range from Rs 3 lakhs to the full MBBS tuition fees for five years, making it essential for students to understand these obligations before enrolling in a program.
Candidates must know MBBS fees beforehand to plan their finances for the smooth admission process. The fees for private medical colleges are primarily regulated by the fee regulation committees in each state; however, government colleges typically charge significantly lower tuition compared to deemed universities and private institutions. Generally, students are required to pay fees for a duration of 4.5 years.
For instance, a seat in AIIMS costs less than Rs 10,000 per year, whereas tuition fees for private colleges and deemed universities start at around Rs 10 lakhs, and can go as high as Rs 22 to Rs 25 lakhs. This figure represents only the tuition fee and does not include additional expenses that may arise. These amounts apply to Indian students; fees for NRI candidates are considerably higher. This substantial difference in fees makes a government seat highly demandable, which explains the intense competition for securing an MBBS seat in government colleges.
It’s essential to understand the structure and demands of the MBBS program before starting the journey. The MBBS course in India spans 5.5 years, which includes a one-year mandatory internship at a hospital. The MBBS syllabus is quite rigorous, encompassing subjects such as Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine & Toxicology over the five years. This curriculum involves not only theoretical learning but also practical training.
Candidates must be prepared for extensive studying, long hours, sleepless nights, and a series of examinations. The workload increases significantly in the final year, as they will have to manage both your studies and the mandatory internship in a hospital. The internship provides invaluable hands-on experience in patient care, allowing you to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom. This phase is also crucial for determining which medical specialty you are most interested in pursuing for your postgraduate studies. As such, you may find it challenging to maintain a social life during these years due to the demanding schedule.
The Madhya Pradesh Medhavi Chhatra Yojana (also known as the Medhavi Yojana) provides scholarships to meritorious students based on their performance in the 12th board examinations.the percentage should be more than 75 percent for mp board students and for CBSE and icse it is 85 percent.
You can apply for scholarship and If you come into the meritorious students then the amount is even more than 25000.
If you belong to any school then they will collect your bank information So all in all you do not have to do anything, all the work is to be done by the school. You just enjoy.
Hope it helps
From your profile it is clear that you are asking about pharmacy admission through neet so,yes there are some colleges in India which considers NEET score for admission to pharmacy programs.
Other than NEET some state colleges use their own entrance exam like MHT CET, CUET, AP EAMCET, TS EAMCET, KCET, KEAM, and Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) for pharmacy.
If you are not satisfied with answer ask again i will try to help you better..
Here are top pharmacy colleges and their admission criteria you can consider
https://pharmacy.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-pharmacy-colleges-in-india
If your daughter is currently studying in a CBSE affiliated school in Qatar and has been living abroad for the past few years, she will likely qualify for an NRI seat when applying for NEET, as she meets the criteria of being an Indian citizen residing abroad and completing her 10th and 12th education from a foreign country.
NRI students can apply NEET UG under NRI category. Your daughter will be applying for seats under AIQ quota i.e 15% seats only .some states dont give reservation to NRI like Karnataka but some states like gujarat has NRI reservation.while considering colleges check specific eligibility criteria of the medical colleges you are applying to, as there may be minor variations in their NRI admission policies.
Have a look on details of NRI category NEET admission
Hello,
Yes, it is possible to get admission into medical-related courses without clearing the NEET exam. Here’s how:
Alternative Medical Courses :
Allied Health Sciences :
Paramedical Courses :
Overseas Admissions :
These colleges and courses offer reputable options outside of the NEET pathway.
To know more, visit : https://medicine.careers360.com/articles/medical-courses-without-neet
Hope it helps !
There is no other major government examination in India that overlaps with the NEET syllabus to provide similar careers in the medical field. NEET is, however the gateway to medical and dental colleges in the country.
In case you wish to pursue other fields of science, here are your options:
1. Engineering:
JEE Main: This examination offers entry to engineering colleges, providing a vast number of courses in engineering.
2. Other Related Health Sciences:
B.Sc Nursing: Eligibility criteria differ for this course, such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English
B.Pharm: This could be pursued after 12th with PCB
B.Sc Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, etc: These are courses one takes if a person interested in the life sciences and other related studies.
Note:
Eligibility: Remember that eligibility criteria differ for courses and universities.
Entrance Exams: Prepare for entrance exams that are related to NEET, JEE Main, or whichever the university-specific tests may be.
Guidance Counseling: Participate in the process of counseling to get a seat in the preferred college and course.
If you hold an ardent passion for a career in the healthcare sector, keep researching and consider the following options like research or pharmaceutical industry or public health.
Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.
A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.
A veterinary doctor is a professional, working in animal healthcare. He or she conducts medical examinations, diagnoses, and treats various illnesses of animals. Animals have distinct internal organs and functions, requiring specialised attention from a veterinary doctor. A doctor who treats humans cannot offer the same level of care to animals due to these variations. Therefore, a veterinary doctor plays a critical role in animal welfare.
Veterinary professionals prevent illness by providing vaccines and offering advice on animal nutrition and overall health. Their knowledge extends beyond household animals and includes livestock, wildlife, and exotic animals. Individuals who love animals and want to treat their illnesses, injuries, and diseases must opt for a career as a veterinary doctor.
Speech therapists are essential medical professionals addressing speech disorders. Whether it's delayed speech in children or difficulties in pronunciation, these experts play a crucial role. This article explores how to become a speech therapist in India, covering courses, colleges, and the responsibilities of this impactful profession.
Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth.
The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.
An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.
Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.
A Narcotics Officer is an officer employed by the state to investigate the usage of drugs and their trafficking. A narcotics officer conducts undercover operations, investigates suspected drug dealers, executes raids and other appropriate actions for arresting these traffickers to reduce the circulation of drugs in the country.
A narcotics officer works in collaboration with other government agencies to stop drug trafficking at borders. He or she engages with various NGOs and public organisations to teach people about the dangerous effects of drug usage. A narcotics officer plays an important role in reducing the illegal activities of drug dealers and the circulation of drugs in the nation.
If we talk about a career as a research associate, it all comes down to one thing - curiosity towards nature and the passion to find answers. A career as a research associate is full of thrill and excitement. However, a research associate also faces a lot of challenges and failures while working on a project. A job of a research associate includes a spectrum of Science as a subject in detail.
A career as a Drug Inspector is regarded as one of the most diverse in the field of healthcare and pharmacy. Candidates must undergo a screening process administered by the UPSC and or SPSCs in order to become drug inspectors. Those who manage it through the selection process will have a rewarding career with a high salary.
A Biotechnologist is a professional who possesses strong knowledge and techniques that are utilised in creating and developing innovative products that improve the quality of human life standards. A biochemist uses biological organisms to create and improve goods and procedures for agriculture, medicine, and sustainability. He or she researches the genetic, chemical, and physical characteristics of cells, tissues, and organisms to determine how they can be used industrially.
A career as R&D Personnel requires researching, planning, and implementing new programs and protocols into their organization and overseeing new products’ development. He or she uses his or her creative abilities to improve the existing products as per the requirements of the target market.
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