Medical courses have always been an important career choice in India. With the increasing demand for healthcare professionals, it is essential to have a strong headstart after 12th grade if you aspire to become a doctor.
But with so many options available, how do you decide which medical course is right for you? In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on the various medical courses that are available after 12th grade, their eligibility criteria, course structure and duration, job roles, salaries, and upskilling options.
Medical Courses After 12th Grade: An Overview
To become a doctor, you must plan your career path well in advance, as it requires a strong headstart right after completing your 12th grade. Before applying for medical courses, you must ensure that you are eligible and well-prepared to face the entrance exams. It is also important to choose a course or specialty that matches your interests, skills, and strengths.
Top Medical Courses in India
1. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
If you have always dreamed of becoming a doctor, then MBBS is the way to go!
Eligibility: The minimum eligibility requirement for MBBS is completing your 12th standard with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects. This is followed by clearing an entrance examination such as NEET or AIIMS.
Course duration: The duration of the course is five and a-half years, including one year of mandatory internship training.
Syllabus: MBBS prepares students to diagnose diseases, treat patients, and perform surgeries. The course offers specialisations like cardiology, oncology, gynaecology, etc., making it easier for students to choose their area of interest.
Job roles: Doctors, medical officers, and surgeons
Salary Range: ₹6-20 lakhs per annum based on job roles
2. Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
BAMS is a popular alternative medicine course that combines modern medicine with traditional Indian medicinal practises like Ayurveda.
Eligibility: The minimum criteria for BAMS include completing your 12th standard with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, followed by passing an entrance exam conducted by various colleges across India.
Course duration: The course duration is five and a-half years, including 12 months of compulsory internship.
Job roles: BAMS graduates can work as Ayurvedic doctors, physicians, therapists, or practitioners. Upskilling options such as postgraduate diploma courses offering specialisations like panchakarma therapy or ksharasutra techniques are also available.
Salary range: You can expect to earn between INR 3-5 lakhs per annum starting out.
3. Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Dentistry is a rapidly growing field in India, with a huge demand for dental professionals.
Eligibility: The minimum criteria for BDS include completing your 12th standard with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, followed by clearing an entrance examination such as NEET.
Course duration: BDS is a five-year course that focuses on oral healthcare and surgery and includes one year of internship.
Job roles: After completing BDS, one can become a dentist, dental surgeon, orthodontist, or periodontist. With the rise in cosmetic dentistry procedures, there is a growing demand for dental professionals in India. Industry growth prospects in dentistry show that it will continue to be one of the fastest-growing sectors over the next decade.
Salary range: BDS freshers start with earnings of INR 3-5 lakhs per year.
4. Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)
If you have a keen interest in alternative medicine, then BHMS could be your calling!
Eligibility: The minimum criteria include completing your 12th standard with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, followed by passing an entrance exam conducted by various colleges across India.
Course duration: The course duration is five and a-half years, including 12 months of mandatory internship training.
Job roles: Graduates can work as homoeopathic doctors or practitioners, researchers, or academicians. With the growing acceptance of alternative medicine among people nowadays, homoeopathy has become more popular than ever before.
Salary range: BHMS freshers' earnings start at INR 0.4 lakhs per year, and senior-level practitioners earn over INR 12 lakhs annually.
5. Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)
BPT is another trending course that focuses on helping patients recover from physical ailments through exercise therapy and rehabilitation techniques rather than medicines alone.
Eligibility: Minimum criteria include completing your 12th standard with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, followed by passing an entrance exam conducted by various colleges across India.
Course duration: The course takes four and a-half years to complete, including six months of mandatory internship training.
Job roles: Popular job roles after completing BPT are physiotherapist, rehabilitation specialist, and consultant physiotherapist. Upskilling options include certification courses in postgraduate certificate rehabilitation medicine or clinical orthopaedic manual therapy.
Salary range: The average salaries of BPT graduates are around INR 0.3–4 lakhs per year.
Unconventional Roles in Medicine
Apart from traditional medical professions, there are several unconventional career options available in the healthcare sector.
- Healthcare management is one such profession that requires individuals with strong administrative skills to manage hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions.
- Medical writing and editing and medical transcriptionists have also become popular career choices in recent years.
WIZR offers guidance on upskilling programmes in these fields to help you switch careers seamlessly.
Salaries of different non-traditional job roles in the healthcare sector
Kickstart Your Career in Medicine
The medical profession can offer a rewarding career path for individuals who are interested in serving society while also earning a decent living. Choose your path to success by exploring various medical courses after completing your 12th grade based on your interests and strengths.
WIZR can guide you through the entire process, from skill assessment and career guidance to financing options for young professionals seeking career-focused upskilling and certification programmes.
FAQs
1. What are the top medical diploma courses after 12th grade?
After completing 12th grade in the science stream, students can pursue various diploma courses such as Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT), Diploma in Radiology Technology (DRT), or Diploma in Operation Theatre Technology (DOTT), among others.
2. Which are the highest-paid doctors?
Surgeons, anesthesiologists, orthodontists, and cardiologists are among the highest-paid doctors, with an annual salary ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore or more.
3. Who is a resident doctor?
A resident doctor is a postgraduate student who works under an experienced doctor to gain practical experience before becoming an independent practitioner.
4. Which doctors are in high demand in India?
Paediatricians, gynaecologists, and orthopaedic specialists are currently in high demand in India due to rising healthcare needs.
5. Are BAMS and BHMS degrees recognised internationally?
No, BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) and BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery) degrees are not recognised internationally as they follow alternative medicinal practises.
