MBBS vs MD

MBBS vs MD – The difference between Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) has always been a topic of debate. Starting from the basics, MBBS is an undergraduate program for Class 12 medical students to practice medicine and surgery across the country. While, MD is a postgraduate medical course offered to candidates who have completed their UG medical with various specializations taught in MBBS. For admission to MBBS and MD courses, the admission to all government, private, deemed and central universities/institute will be done on the basis of NEET and NEET PG scores. Only AIIMS, JIPMER (for UG and PG) and PGIMER (for PG) are out of NEET ambit. The MBBS vs MD is a concept that would require in depth understanding of intricate details pertaining to the two courses. Therefore, Careers360 brings an article on MBBS vs MD for the better understanding of the courses in terms of syllabus, duration, fee details and other related details.

MBBS vs MD Admission in India

MBBS program is offered for admission to around 500 medical colleges in India and admission will be granted on the basis of National Entrance Cum Eligibility Test (NEET), a national level entrance exam. Around 65,000 students are granted MBBS admission in India every year. MBBS are the two first professional degrees in medicine and surgery awarded after graduation from medical institute/school/university recognized  by Medical Council of India (MCI). In India, the duration of MBBS course is five and a half years under which 12 months rotatory internship is mandatory. Besides NEET, AIIMS, New Delhi and JIPMER, Puducherry also conducts AIIMS MBBS and JIPMER, respectively. Through AIIMS MBBS, a total of 807 seats are offered in 9 institutes, while, admission to 200 MBBS seats are granted through JIPMER MBBS. 

The post-graduate degrees - MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery), are offered post MBBS in India. The MD programme duration is 3 years in India. The admission to MD/MS is granted to candidates who qualifies in NEET PG entrance examination conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE). Aspirants need to choose any of the following specifications as per their preference to pursue MD or MS courses.

M D (Doctor of Medicine) - Specialities 

1. Anaesthesiology

2. Anatomy

3. BiochemistryUG PG

4. Biophysics

5. Community Medicine

6. Dermatology and Venereology

7. Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

8. Laboratory Medicine

9. Medicine

10. Microbiology

11. Nuclear Medicine

12. Obstetrics & Gynaecology

13. Ophthalmology

14. Pathology

15. Pediatrics

16. Pharmacology

17. Physiology

18. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR)

19. Psychiatry

20. Radio-Diagnosis

21. Radiotherapy

M S (Master of Surgery) - Specialities

1. Surgery

2. Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

3. Orthopaedics

MBBS vs MD - Course Fees

NEET entrance exam for UG and PG has reduced the burden from students to appear for different state-level exams. Also, making it mandatory for government and private colleges to disclose the MBBS course fees has allowed candidates to know the amount to be paid with fair admission process and help them to be more positive for their admissions. Candidates can check the course fees of the MBBS courses from the link provided above.

In the MBBS vs MD scenario, one should also be aware of the fact that he meaning of Doctor of Medicine (MD), however, may vary in other countries depending on the academic design followed by different countries. For example,doctors in US do not hold the MBBS degree. The doctors are awarded an MD or DO degree. To pursue an MD or DO, the candidates have to complete university level pre-medical courses, post which they have to qualify the MCAT.

In USA, the MD/DO is a four-year program divided into two parts: pre-clinical and clinical. The pre-clinical courses consist of courses in basic sciences and the clinical courses consist of clinical rotation. There is a residency programme after the MD course after which a candidate is eligible to practice medicine in the USA. The residency programmes for different specialties are different. It can range from 3 years for internal medicine and pediatrics to 5 years in general surgery. The residency programme for neurosurgery is 7 years.