DGO: Course Details, Admission, Fees, Eligibility Criteria

Thasleen Mohideen

DGO or Diploma in Gynaecology and Obstetrics course is a two-year post-graduate level program that equips the students with the required knowledge and skills related to gynaecology, fertility, diagnostic studies of the reproductive system, fetus development, labor management, and delivery, etc. The core subjects of DGO include Endometriosis, Labour and Foetus Development, Gynecologic Oncology, Surgery of Mullerian Ducts, etc., along with practical and simulation training. 

The Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics eligibility criteria is that the candidate must have completed MBBS or BAMS with at least 50% marks in the final examination from a recognized university. Apart from the merit score, the candidate should also appear for entrance examinations such as NEET PG, INI-CET, etc. The average DGO course fees ranges from INR 20,000-1.50 LPA.

What is DGO Course?

DGO full form is Diploma in Gynaecology and Obstetrics. The course deals with maternity care, treating complications of pregnancy, childbirth, and any that arise after the birth process. Top universities in India such as DR. MGR University, AKU Patna, WBUHS, etc., offer DGO courses. 

DGO course focuses on equipping the students with the required skills and knowledge on various aspects of gynecology and obstetrics including maternity care, diagnosis, after-birth care, labor management, diseases associated with the reproductive system, etc. through different teaching methodologies such as simulation training, hands-on practical, clinical workshops, etc. The average DGO salary in India is around INR 5-15 LPA based on the skills and domain knowledge. 

DGO Eligibility Criteria

The admission process into DGO courses requires the candidate to fulfill requirements such as merit score, entrance examination, age limit, etc. Given below are the Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics eligibility criteria:

• Candidates must have completed MBBS or BAMS with at least 50% marks for general category students (45% marks for SC/ST/OBC students) from a recognized university. Additionally, the candidate must clear entrance examinations such as NEET PG, INI CET based on the university.
• There is no age limit for admission to Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics courses

Why Choose a DGO Course?

DGO courses are one of the most preferred courses by MBBS or BAMS graduates for the shorter duration of the course and also the innumerable job opportunities it creates post-completion of the course. Listed below are some of the important pointers on why choosing a DGO course can be the right choice:

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth of 1.7% in the employment of gynecologists between the years 2022-2032.
• The job role of Gynecologist and Obstetrician is among the top 5 best-paying jobs in the US
• There is an increasing demand for Gynecologist and Obstetrician skilled professionals as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) predicted a shortfall of Ob-Gyns of up to 22,000 by 2050.

DGO Admission Process

The admission process into Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics courses is either based on merit score or through entrance exams such as NEET PG in colleges like AKU Patna, BJMC Ahmedabad, etc. Given below is the step-by-step admission process for DGO Courses:

• Step 1: The candidate needs to qualify for the entrance exam as per the requirements of the college.
• Step 2: The student further needs to fill out the college application form either available online from the college's official website or directly from the college campus.
• Step 3: Based on the performance of the candidate in the entrance examination, they will be called for counseling or PI process as per the college admission criteria
• Step 4: Once the college releases the merit list, the student needs to pay the fees and submit the necessary documents for verification.

DGO Entrance Exams

The admission into the DGO course is done mainly based on NEET-PG entrance exam score, colleges like Bharati Vidyapeeth conduct CET for admission. Below listed are a few important entrance exams for the Diploma in Gynaecology and Obstetrics course along with colleges accepting the entrance exam:

Top DGO Colleges in India with Fee Details

The average DGO course fee in India ranges from INR 20,000 to 1.50 LPA based on the type of institution, ranking, infrastructure, etc. The course is offered by top government colleges such as WBUHS, Kurnool Medical College, etc., and top private colleges such as DY Patil University, PES University, etc. Listed below are some of the best colleges for DGO courses in India along with their fee details:

DGO Syllabus and Subjects

The first-year syllabus focuses on subjects such as Maternal Anatomy, Maternal Physiology, Obstetrics Anaesthesia, etc. The second-year syllabus focuses on subjects like Malformations of the female generative organs, Diseases in the Urinary System, adolescent gynecology, etc. Given below are the important subjects for DGO courses along with the topics covered:

DGO VS MS OBG

Diploma in Gynaecology and Obstetrics focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system, management of pregnancy complications, maternal care, etc. whereas the M. S. in Obstetrics and Gynaecology deals exclusively with the diagnosis and management of ailments related to the female reproductive system and management through surgeries.

Given below is the course comparison between DGO and MS OBG courses:

DGO Salary in India

The average entry-level Diploma in Gynaecology and Obstetrics graduate salary in India ranges from INR 5.50-6 LPA. Graduates after having three-plus years of experience can earn up to INR 15 LPA. Below listed are job roles for DGO graduates along with their average entry-level salaries:

Read More: DGO Salary in India

Courses After Diploma in Gynaecology and Obstetrics

The graduates after completing a DGO course can enroll in a higher education program or advanced certification courses to enhance their skills and domain knowledge for better career prospects. Below listed are a few courses that a Diploma Gynaecology and Obstetrics graduates  can pursue:

• Certificate Course in Basic Infertility Management, including Endoscopy
• Masters in Hospital Administration
• MS in Clinical Pathology
• Masters in Public Health
• MTech in Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences
• MD Gynecology
• Masters in Medical Science and Technology
• MSc Anaesthesia
• MS OBG

Career Options After DGO Courses

The career opportunities for Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics are not just restricted to hospitals and healthcare facilities, the graduates can also work with educational institutions, research and development centers, etc. Given below are some of the career opportunities after DGO courses:

Top Recruiters for DGO Graduates

The DGO graduates are hired by various private and government organizations/departments such as hospitals and healthcare institutions, government camps, research centers, etc. Below listed are a few top recruiters for DGO graduates:

Diploma Gynaecology and Obstetrics Scholarships

The students who want to study DGO courses can avail scholarships from private and government colleges or schemes based on factors such as merit score, annual income, and other related factors. Below listed are a few scholarships for DGO course:

Skill to Excel as a DGO Graduate

To be successful in a career as a practicing Gynaecologist or Obstetrician candidates must develop a certain skill set for better career progression. Listed below are some of the important skills required for DGO graduates:

• Emotional Balance: A DGO candidate needs to develop a strong emotional balance as the work involves working under a lot of pressure with multiple cases incoming.
• Hand-Eye Coordination: The candidate must demonstrate excellent hand-eye coordination, excellent vision, and visuospatial awareness to perform surgeries with precision and accuracy
• Resource Management: Should know about resource allocation and excellent communication to get things done on time to avoid any delays during emergencies