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    MBBS Syllabus (Semester-Wise): MBBS Subjects, Topics and FAQs

    MBBS Syllabus (Semester-Wise): MBBS Subjects, Topics and FAQs

    Sonia VatsUpdated on 22 Jan 2026, 03:28 PM IST

    The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery popularly known as MBBS is a professional degree to practice in the field of medicine. Aspirants who want to pursue the course should be aware of the syllabus and MBBS subjects. Candidates who want to become a doctor must know the MBBS syllabus. The National Medical Commission (NMC) is the body that regulates the MBBS syllabus in India. The MBBS subjects year wise may vary with the recent development and requirements of the present time. The detailed MBBS syllabus pdf can be downloaded below.

    MBBS Syllabus (Semester-Wise): MBBS Subjects, Topics and FAQs
    MBBS Syllabus

    Being aware of the MBBS syllabus before the commencement of classes will surely boost aspirants' performance in their academics. The MBBS course syllabus is also useful for medical graduates who want to pursue postgraduation medical courses such as Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Surgery (MS), Master of Chirurgiae (M.Ch), etc. The MBBS subjects are divided into three categories - Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical. The subjects in MBBS cover microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, and pathology.

    With the knowledge of MBBS subjects year wise, medical aspirants can get first-hand experience of how things work in the field concerned. Medical aspirants can enrol themselves in the MBBS course by qualifying for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Interested candidates must read the article on the MBBS syllabus by Careers360 to know more details on the same.

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    MBBS course syllabus

    The National Medical Commission (NMC) earlier known as the Medical Council of India (MCI) is the authority responsible for prescribing the MBBS syllabus. Under the MBBS course, which is for five and a half years, candidates will have to complete a one-year mandatory rotational internship. The entire MBBS syllabus has been divided into a total of nine semesters. These nine semesters will be for a period of 6 months each. There will be approximately 120 teaching days in each semester.

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    How many semesters in MBBS?

    The MBBS course has nine semesters and is divided into three phases – Pre Clinical, Para Clinical and Clinical. The semesters are divided into various MBBS course subjects and the pedagogy combines theoretical and practical classes. The internship year, which follows the academic portion, is usually considered separate from these semesters and is dedicated to hands-on training in various medical specialities. During the nine semesters of the academic phase, students cover a wide range of medical subjects and gain foundational knowledge and skills essential for their medical careers.

    MBBS course syllabus

    The Medical aspirants can refer to the table below, for a better understanding of how the MBBS course duration is divided into phases.

    Phases of MBBS Syllabus

    Phase

    Year

    Semester

    Details

    Phase I

    MBBS 1st year syllabus

    2 semesters

    Pre-Clinical Subjects

    Phase II

    2nd-year MBBS subjects

    3 semesters

    Para-clinical and Clinical subjects

    Phase III

    3rd-year MBBS subjects

    4 semesters

    Continuation of the study of clinical subjects for 7 semesters after passing semester I

    How to get admission to the MBBS course?

    In order to get admission to the MBBS course, candidates must qualify for the NEET UG exam. NEET UG is the single national medical entrance examination at the undergraduate level. For admission to undergraduate medical courses, the aspirants need to appear for the medical entrance test and qualify by securing the NEET cutoff.

    NEET Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
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    MBBS subjects list

    It is already aforementioned that the syllabus of MBBS has been divided into three phases. In the table below, we have compiled the medical subjects that are to be taught under these phases, for the reference of candidates.

    MBBS curriculum year-wise

    Phase

    Semesters

    Subjects covered

    Pre-Clinical

    1-2: two semesters

    Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology

    Para-Clinical

    3-5: three semesters

    Community Medicine; Forensic Medicine, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Clinical postings inwards, OPDs to begin here;

    Clinical

    6-9: four semesters

    Community Medicine, Medicine and allied subjects (Psychiatry, Dermatology), Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Paediatrics

    Surgery and allied subjects (Anesthesiology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics);

    Clinical postings

    MBBS course subjects - Division of subjects covered

    Candidates can refer to the table below to understand the division of subjects in these three phases.

    MBBS subjects list

    Phase

    Subject

    Topics

    Pre-Clinical

    Anatomy

    Gross anatomy, Microanatomy, Embryology and Genetics, Neuroanatomy

    Biochemistry

    Biological cell, Biomolecules, Enzymes, Metabolic pathways, their regulation and metabolic interrelationships, Food assimilation and nutrition, Hormones, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Environmental biochemistry, cancer and cancer makers

    Physiology

    General Physiology, Nerve–Muscle, Blood, Respiratory System, Cardiovascular System, Gastrointestinal System, Nutrition, Environmental Physiology, Reproduction, Kidney, Neurophysiology, Yoga

    Para-clinical

    Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

    Forensic Medicine, Toxicology

    Microbiology

    Microbiology, Bacteriology, Bacterial Staining and Cultivation, Common Tests for Bacterial identification, parasitology, Virology, Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Infection, Mycology, Common Laboratory Methods for Diagnosis of Fungal Infections, Collection of Transport of Samples, Host-Parasite relationship, Bacterial and Viral Genetics, Immunity to infection, Immunodiagnosis, Vaccines, Sterilisation and disinfection, Bacteriology of water and air, Microorganisms associated with gastrointestinal infections, Gastrointestinal infections caused by parasites

    Pathology

    General Pathology, Systemic Pathology, Practical

    Pharmacology

    General Pharmacology, Autonomic nervous system & Peripheral nervous system, Central nervous system, Autacoids, Cardiovascular system, Gastrointestinal and respiratory system, Hormones, Chemotherapy, Miscellaneous

    Clinical

    Anesthesiology

    Preoperative evaluation & optimization, Skills I/V, Cannulation, Oropharyngeal/Nasopharyngeal Airway insertion, Bag Mask Ventilation, Attaching pulse oximeter, BP cuff and ECG electrodes and setting up a monitor

    Community Medicine

    Behavioral Sciences, Health Education, Environment, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Nutrition, Maternal & Child Health, Rehabilitation, Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases And Non-communicable Diseases, Important National Health Programmes, Occupational Health, Health Administration, Health Economics, Geriatrics, Counselling

    Dermatology and Venereology

    Ineffective dermatoses, Infective dermatoses, Infestations, Melanin synthesis, Allergic disorders, Drug eruptions, urticaria, erythema multi-forme, Vesiculo-bullous diseases, Epidermopoisis, Psoriasis, Pathogenesis, Syphilis, Gonococcal and Non-gonococcal infections, HIV infection, Dermatological Emergencies

    Medicine

    Clinical Pharmacology, Nutritional and metabolic disorders, Water, electrolyte and acid-base imbalance, Critical care Medicine, Pain management and palliative care, Medical Psychiatry, Poisonings, Specific environmental and occupational hazards, Immune response and Infections, Cardiovascular system

    Obstetrics & Gynaecology

    Basic Sciences, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Contraception, Neonatology and Recent Advances

    Ophthalmology

    Microbiology in relation to eye, Pathology in relation to eye, Pharmacology in relation to eye, Disorders of the Lid, Disorders of the Lacrimal Apparatus, Conjunctivitis & Ophthalmia Neonatorum, Trachoma & Other chronic conjunctivitis, Keratitis and corneal ulcers, Corneal ulcer, Scleritis & Episcleritis

    Orthopaedics

    Pediatric orthopaedics, Orthopaedic oncology, Management of Trauma, Sports Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Neurology, Disorders of Spine, Radiology, Fracture

    Otorhinolaryngology

    Oral cavity and oropharynx, Ear, Instruments, Operative Procedures, X-ray

    Pediatrics

    Vital statistics, Growth and development, Nutrition, Immunization, Infectious diseases, Hematology, Respiratory system, Gastro Intestinal Tract, Central Nervous System, Cardiovascular system, Genito-Urinary system, Neonatology, Pediatrics Emergencies, Fluid-Electrolyte, Genetics, Behavioral Problems, Pediatrics Surgical Problems, Therapeutics

    Psychiatry

    Behavioural Sciences, Emotion and its application to health, Cognitive process and memory, psychiatric disorders, personality disorders, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorders, Depression, Anxiety neurosis, phobia and OCD

    Surgery

    Skin, Head and Neck region, Arteries, Veins, Breast, Oesophagus, Stomach and duodenum, Small intestine, Colon and rectum, Appendix, Acute abdomen, Urology


    MBBS Syllabus - 12 months rotatory internship

    To complete the MBBS course, candidates must complete their one-year rotatory internship. When candidates are under the internship period, they will be provided with hands-on experience of how things work in their field. They will also be taught how to maintain interpersonal relations with their patients. During this internship session, emphasis will be placed on hands-on experience. Also, the department that is concerned will be maintaining a daily logbook for each candidate. The postings will keep on changing at intervals, the scheme of which is mentioned in the table below.

    Internship postings

    Speciality

    Duration

    Medicine

    1.5 months

    Surgery

    1.5 months

    Rural

    3 months

    Pediatrics

    1 month

    Obstetrics and Gynaecology

    1 month

    Casualty

    1 month

    Anaesthesiology

    15 days

    Ophthalmology

    15 days

    Elective

    2 months

    Total

    12 months

    MBBS scope

    After the completion of the aforementioned MBBS subject year wise during Bachelor degree, deserving aspirants can get opportunities for earning in some of the following areas, in which they can get a better scope.

    • Hospitals
    • Laboratories
    • Biomedical companies
    • Nursing homes
    • Medical colleges
    • Health centres
    • Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies

    MBBS career opportunities

    Candidates, after completing their MBBS wish to get jobs in reputed companies across the nation and globe. There are a lot of job opportunities for deserving aspirants in the private and public sectors. Everyone has the opportunity to grab the below-mentioned jobs.

    • Doctors
    • Junior Doctors
    • Physicians
    • Junior Surgeons
    • Medical Professors or Lecturers
    • Researcher
    • Scientists

    MBBS specialisations

    Some major MBBS specialization areas are:

    • General Medicine
    • General Surgery
    • Pediatrics
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Dermatology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Orthopaedics
    • ENT
    • Psychiatry
    • Anesthesiology
    • Plastic Surgery
    • Neuro Surgery
    • Cardio-Thoracic surgery
    • Continuos Urinary surgery
    • Pediatric Surgery
    • Gastroenterology
    • Endocrinology
    • Clinical Hematology
    • Nephrology
    • Cardiology
    • Immunology
    • Craniologist
    • Pathologist

    Also read: MBBS Course fees | MBBS vs MD | Medical Courses after 12th | AIIMS MBBS fee

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: How many sections are there in MBBS?
    A:

    The syllabus of MBBS is covered into three phases - Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical and Clinical subjects.

    Q: How many topics are covered under Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical and Clinical subjects?
    A:

    Only the topics from Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical and Clinical subjects are covered in the MBBS syllabus.

    Q: What is the duration of MBBS course?
    A:

    Candidates appearing for MBBS must complete five and a half year of theoretical as well as practical knowledge. Along with that, aspirants are also required to complete one year of compulsory internship on a rotatory basis.

    Q: How important is the MBBS syllabus for preparing for NEET PG, INI CET?
    A:

    The questions asked in PG entrance examination is based on the syllabus of MBBS, thus it is mandatory for candidates to learn the fundamentals and concepts of MBBS curriculum.

    Q: Can I get admission into MBBS course without clearing NEET?
    A:

    No, to get admission to the MBBS course, students must appear and qualify for NEET exam. 

    Q: How many semesters are in MBBS?
    A:

    The MBBS syllabus comprises of 9 semesters. These semesters will be for a period of 6 months each.  Each semester is having approximately 120 teaching days.

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    Questions related to NEET

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to NEET ?

    Hi! As per the NEET eligibility criteria , you must be 17 years of age as on December 31 of the year of admission. As you will complete the age criteria, you can definitely appear for NEET 2027. Do check the other eligibility criteria and apply for the NEET 2027

    The NEET qualifying cutoff for ST category was 143-113. For ST (PWD) , the cut off marks 2025 was 126-113. As you have not mentioned the closing rank for a particular college. Here, we have provided the college wise 2025 MBBS closing rank for ST category.

    Regards.

    With 400-500 score in NEET, securing MBBS admission at CMC Vellore is highly challenging for students. With such score, you can apply for allied health science courses offered by the institute.

    Regards,

    Will you be appearing in NEET 2026 under any reserved category or general category as the NEET cutoff varies according to the category of student?