MBBS vs MD - What is Difference between MD and MBBS?

"Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability" a quote by Sir W. Osler. Aspirants who want to pursue their studies in the field of medicine must know the MBBS and MD full form and the difference between Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), and Doctor of Medicine (MD) in order to chose the course that suits them well.

NEET 2024: Cutoff (OBC, SC, ST & General Category)

NEET 2024 Admission Guidance: Personalised | Study Abroad

NEET 2025: Syllabus | Most Scoring concepts | NEET PYQ's (2015-24)

NEET PYQ's & Solutions: Physics | Chemistry | Biology

When we begin to understand these from the basics we need to know what these terms actually mean. The basic difference between the MBBS & MD is that MBBS is an undergraduate course that is pursued by candidates who wish to make their career in the field of medicine. Whereas, MD is a postgraduate course that can be pursued by candidates who have completed their MBBS. The concept of MBBS vs MD is wide and requires a complete understanding of its complex details.

To get UG medical admission to all the government, deemed and central universities/institute and private medical colleges candidates are required to qualify National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Whereas the admission process for postgraduate medical and dental seats is a bit more complex and is explained below. Candidates can go through the article on MBBS vs MD, to know all the details of course fees, syllabus, duration, full form of MBBS and MD and others of both the courses.

What is MBBS?

MBBS is an undergraduate in medicine. MBBS is the first step towards becoming a doctor. The curriculum describes different medicines and human anatomy can educate the participants on how to test and cure specific diseases. Candidates need to qualify the NEET exam and appear for the UG counselling of MCC. The MBBS degree duration is 5.5 years.

Browse MBBS colleges by states

What is MD?

MD full form in medical is Doctor of Medicine. It is a postgraduate degree where graduates study medicine in detail. It is a two-year course that trains medical graduates in the study, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases.

Browse Medical Colleges by States:

MBBS course duration

The full form of MBBS is Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. The duration of MBBS courses in India is 5.5 years. The first 4.5 years are allotted for classroom training, and the rest is for the internship course.

MD course duration

The MD (Doctor of Medicine) course is a postgraduate medical qualification lasting 2 to 3 years, depending on the specialisation

MBBS vs MD - Key difference

MBBS vs MD admission in India

In India, medical aspirants are offered MBBS courses in around 654 top medical colleges. Earlier for taking medical admission, aspirants have to clear NEET and admission to All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) were through the latter's own examinations. However, from the year 2020 onwards, the undergraduate medical entrance examinations for all medical colleges, including the AIIMS and JIPMER were scrapped and now granted through only NEET. The duration of the MBBS course is five and a half years, which includes a 12 months rotatory internship.

While understanding the postgraduate degree courses, candidates need to know that MD and MS (Master of Surgery) are the most sought after in this category, as many of the graduates wish to pursue this category. These courses are offered to candidates only when they complete their MBBS course successfully and are degree holders for the same. Admission to the MD course is done based on NEET PG and INI CET. National Board of Examinations (NBE) is the competent authority to conduct NEET PG whereas AIIMS, New Delhi use to conduct the INI CET exam. In India, the MD program is taught for a duration of 3 years, where medicos are required to choose one of the following specializations that they wish to pursue.

MD (Doctor of Medicine) - Specialities

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

MS (Master of Surgery) - Specialities

• Surgery
• Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
• Orthopedics

MBBS vs MD - Course fees

The stress of candidates has reduced to a significant level due to the introduction of NEET at the UG and PG levels. So now NEET has become the only UG-level medical entrance examination. Earlier there were different state-level exams for which students had to appear in order to get entrance to medical and dental colleges. So now NEET has become the only UG level medical entrance examination. Earlier the private medical colleges use to charge a high amount of fees for granting medical admission. In order to have control over that authorities have made it mandatory for the government as well as private colleges to disclose their fee for the courses. The aforementioned step enables candidates to have clarity of every detail pertaining to their admissions. The fees of the MBBS course vary between all the government-aided institutions/ government/central universities and deemed universities/private institutions.

On the basis of the institute, the MD course fee can differ extensively. As the fees of government institutes are relatively very low than the private institutes. However, within these private and government institutes also as the fee may differ from one institute to another.

Candidates must note that when definitions for MBBS vs MD are given, then it may vary in other countries. The definition of MD that we mentioned above is on the basis of what we mean in India. For instance, doctors in the US are awarded an MD or DO degree and not an MBBS degree. Also, to pursue this degree course they are required to first complete university-level pre-medical courses followed by qualifying MCAT.

In the 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 programs 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.

MBBS vs MD: Scope

Medical is a dynamic field and jobs are available in both private and public hospitals. Medical graduates can apply for jobs in government medical institutes and even in numerous private hospitals. 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. After getting licensed and registered by the Medical Council of India, aspirants can also practice their specialties. After graduating from MBBS, candidates can also choose to further their studies by pursuing MD programs.

After completing an MD degree, graduates can not only call themselves an MBBS/MD, however, they can also opt for some amazing career prospects. It is indeed true that an MD has better career prospects in the long run.

Also read:

• MBBS Course Fees
• Top 10 Medical Courses in India
• What after MBBS?