How To Become Doctor In India (2024)

Are you dreaming of becoming a doctor, just like many of your friends and relatives? Perhaps you’re already on the path to preparing for medical examinations, but you’re not quite sure where to start in India. Whether you’re just starting out or deep into your preparations, this post will give you a comprehensive guide to becoming a doctor in India.

First off, the coveted title of “Dr.” can be achieved through various paths such as BDS, MBBS, BHMS, BAMS, BUMS, BSMS, and even a PhD following a Master’s degree in any field. However, this post will focus solely on the medical field. Let’s get started!

Also check – How to become an IAS officer in India / How to become judge in India

How To Become Doctor In India

Steps To Become A Doctor In India:

• Step 1

Question yourself, do you admire Biology? Well, getting good marks in your medical examination is a crucial aspect. But are you someone who admires studying about the working of different human organs and understanding the functionality of tissues and? Do you know that Biology is super unique and full of facts?

• Step 2

See if you have all the capabilities needed to become a doctor in India. It would help if you observed everything scientifically and objectively. For this, you can get guidance from expert counsellors. Check whether you possess the interests, skills, and personality traits required in the field of Medicine. Assessment tests can be unique and an effective solution.

• Step 3

Take Mathematics and Science courses in both middles as well as high school. Are you someone who doesn’t like physics or Mathematics? Or are you not fond of Chemistry? Well, that can be a massive problem for you. In school, you have to score well in each of these subjects. These subjects are the basics for a great career in the medical field. Just cutting good in Biology won’t help. At this initial stage, you might take the help of professionals to figure out things for you.

• Step 4

Choosing science as your mainstream in Class 11-12 would highly help you in achieving your goal. Candidates will have to keep Chemistry, Physics, and Biology in Class 11-12, higher secondary. These subjects are must-haves! Remember to select additional subjects wisely to minimise the load. For Instance, second language subjects are not mandatory in a few schools, so it’s better to skip those subjects.

• Step 5

You should always appear for the proper entrance test after your class 12 is over. If you want admission to a renowned medical institute, it is essential to appear for and crack the NEET exam! National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a national level entrance exam for people aspiring for BDS, MBBS, and other graduate-level medical courses.

The entry to MBBS courses in AIIMS, AFMC JIPMER and other medical Institutes are also done through NEET.

Why Should You Become A Doctor?

A doctor treats patients and brings utmost happiness and relief into the patient’s life. A Doctor is responsible for changing the life of his Or her patient.
This work not only brings in monetary benefits but also job satisfaction. In a nation like India, Doctors have both Private and Government sector job opportunities available for them to choose between two. Both these job sectors pay handsomely to doctors. In short, this career is well rewarding in all aspects. Doctors communicate with patients on a day to day basis. He cures patients while bringing happiness into their lives. The level of job satisfaction that this profession provides is impressive!

General Study Passageway To Become an MBBS Doctor In India

Firstly, you need to take up science along with Physics, Biology and chemistry in classes 10,11 and 12. Now, you are required to gain an MBBS degree. For this, you need to look up to getting admissions in renowned medical institutes for getting into courses like BDS, BUMS, BAMS Or BHMS.

There isn’t any doubt that after five and a half years, you’ll see yourself as a Doctor. But, for getting an MBBS degree, you need to be an expert in your field or area of interest.
Now, you need to take up post medical education. The subjects in this particular level are known as broad specialities. For this, you need to appear for a master’s degree or diploma.

Study Pathways For Aspiring Doctors

The subjects you need to take for becoming a Doctor are:

• You should select mathematics and science in class 10 & Physics, chemistry or biology in class 11 and 12 if you aim to become an MBBS doctor.
• For getting into MD/MS/DNB Or MBBS, you need to take up biology, chemistry and physics in higher secondary and science in class 10.
• For MBBS, MD, MS, DNB, DM M Ch and FNB, you must select science and maths in 10th standard and physics, chemistry and biology in 11th and 12th standard.
• For a Diploma after MBBS, take up the same subjects required for becoming an MBBS doctor.
• For getting a Diploma in MBBS and then MS/MD & higher, you need to take up again the same subjects that are necessary for MBBS in your school education.
• Taking up science and maths in class 10 and physics, biology and chemistry in class 11 and 12 is necessary if you want to complete MBBS, MD/ DNB and also PDCC, which is the Post-Doctoral Certificate Course.

How Can Someone Become A Doctor In India – Medical Graduation

After you complete your 10+2 examinations, candidates need to enrol themselves into an excellent medical institution in India. For MBBS, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria directed by the Medical Council of India. The requirements are as follows:

• Passing Exam: Individuals are required to pass 10+2 exams to be eligible for an MBBS course.
• Mandatory Subjects: Candidates should pass in Chemistry, physics and biology along with their compulsory language and English.
• Score Requirements: Candidates in the general category should score at least 50% marks in PCB.
• Age: Candidates should be 17 years of age & should not cross 25 years for admission in MBBS in India.
• Admission Eligibility: Candidates should clear NEET undergraduate to enrol into an MBBs degree in India.

Remember that MBBS is an essential degree that is needed to pass medicals in India. And, the minimum time to finish this course is around five and a half years, including a mandatory internship.

Become a Doctor In India – Medical Entrance Examination

After completion of your class 12 exams, you need to pursue the MBBS course. For enrollment, you have to give the entrance exam, which various private and government institutions directly. Your registration would be done based on your National eligibility as well as the medical entrance test.
Becoming a Doctor in India requires every candidate to appear for NEET, as laid by NTA.

More About NEET

The NTA, aka, National Testing Agency, has the power to direct NEET examinations once a year. Candidates need to qualify NEET to get into the MBBS course in India.

The regular test pattern of NEET is as following:

• The mode of examination is offline, i.e. pen and paper.
• The total duration of the exam is 180 minutes which is equal to 3 hours.
• Medium of examination varies, such as Hindi, English, Bengali, Urdu, Kannada, Tamil etc.
• You get MCQ or the Multiple choice questions.
• There are three sections in total.
• The sections are Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
• There are in total 180 questions.
• The maximum marks are 720.

After completing the exams, the candidates are ranked depending on their performance.

How To Embellish As A Doctor In India After Studying Abroad?

You’ll find many doctors and physicians practising in India after studying medical abroad, in foreign countries. Some of the approved countries for medical studies are China, Italy, the USA, Nepal, Pakistan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Mauritius etc.
In case you want to be a part of any foreign medical university, then you need to talk to the Medical Council of India for issuing the eligibility certificate for a specific purpose. The form of application should be submitted on time with a demand draft of Rs.500 for the Secretary Medical Council of India, New Delhi.

However, it would help if you kept in mind that for going to any foreign medical institution, you need to first straightforward NEET exams to pursue these foreign medical courses. This has been made mandatory from 2019.
Once you get back to India after graduating from foreign medical institutes, you will be known as an FMGE, aka, Foreign Medical Graduates Examination. It is a licensure examination for Indian students who have completed MBBS from abroad.

FMGE is carried out twice every year, and candidates need at least 50% to pass the examination. FMGE or MCI is mandatory till now and is directed by the National Board of Examination(NBE) in India. Foreign medical graduates need to give the FMGE exam to become eligible enough to practice in India.
The success rate of FMGE today is very steady. However, you can always come to India and acquire some more knowledge.

Duties Of a Doctor In India

A well-established Doctor performs the following tasks:

• Perform Surgeries & advise medicines.
• Examine and diagnose patients.
• Educate about a patient’s health to their family members.
• Regularly check the patient’s records and keep an eye on his/her recovery.

Overall Salary Of A Doctor In India

Reading this carefully would give you an insight into the salary of a Doctor in India.

Below, a regular salary pattern is illustrated:

• After MBBS, you can quickly expect Rs.50,000 to Rs.90,000 every month in government hospitals.
• After a postgraduate medical exam, you can get Rs.1,00,000 to Rs.1,30,000 initially in a government hospital.
• At a private medical center, getting Rs.1,50,000 to Rs.2,00,000 is okay depending upon your qualifications and certifications, if any.
• As a consultant surgeon, your overall salary depends upon the number of surgeries carried out.

Conclusion

Fantastic! With all this knowledge about becoming a doctor in India, it’s time to put your efforts into pursuing your dream. Keep pushing forward and working hard toward your goal. You’ve got this!