MD: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees, Duration
Latest Updates for MD
- 18 December 2024 :
The NMC has released the detailed NEET UG 2025 syllabus PDF on the official website.
- 14 December 2024 :
The NEET PG 2025 exam date has been announced and is tentatively scheduled on Jun 15, 2025.
- 17 September 2024 :
NEET SS 2024 exam dates have been released and it will be tentatively conducted on Mar 29 - 30, 2025.
MD or Doctor of Medicine is a three year speciality medical programme that deals with applying and using medicine and medical care for patients in need. The MD course is one that aspirants take after completing their postgraduate course and provides in-depth learning of theoretical, practical and clinical skills. After completing MD, they can work as Immunologists, Cardiologists, General Physicians, and Neurologists, to name a few.
Table of Contents
- About MD Course
- Eligibility Criteria for MD Course
- How To Get Admission to MD?
- Who Should Pursue an MD?
- Popular Entrance Exams for MD
- MD Course List
- Top 10 MD Colleges in India
- Fee Structure for MD
- Syllabus and Subjects for MD
- Why Choose MD?
- MD Course Comparison
- Preparation Tips for MD
- Scope For Higher Education
- Salary of a MD Graduate
- Career Options After MD
- Skills That Make You The Best MD Graduate
MD Course Details
| Degree | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctor of Medicine |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | No age limit |
| Subjects Required | Subjects corresponding to post-graduate. |
| Minimum Percentage | 55% |
| Average Fees | ₹42K - 5 LPA |
| Similar Options of Study | Master of Surgery [MS] |
| Average Salary | INR 3.5 - 5 LPA [Source: PayScale] |
| Employment Roles | Internal Medicine Doctor, Internal Medicine Physician, General Physician, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Apollo Group, Inc., Fortis, Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Yashoda Hospital, Max Healthcare, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital etc |
About MD Course
The MD full form is a Doctor Of Medicine. The MD course duration in India is around three years. There are many specializations that fall under this course. The MD syllabus and subject are diverse and flexible to train students adequately.
The demand for medical professionals is rising as a result of the spread of the pandemic and the development of the healthcare infrastructure. In the upcoming years, the healthcare industry will grow to be a significant source of employment. The MD job scope in India offers good employment opportunities such as clinical practitioners and teachers.
Eligibility Criteria for MD Course
For MD college admission, aspirants must ensure that they are aware of the MD eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for the MD program include students who must hold an MBBS degree. It is also essential that the students have a rank obtained in any related entrance examinations that form the basis for admission. Some institutions may conduct a personal interview with the candidate. There is no age limit for applying to the course.
How To Get Admission to MD?
The MD course admission is possible for the aspirants if they ensure that they meet all the eligibility criteria. The MD course duration is of three years, and it is a postgraduate course. The applicants also have to fill up the application form and submit it to the administration of the opted college/university prior to the dates mentioned on the website. The applicants must have all Governmental documents for the admission process prior to the counselling process.
Mentioned below are the details of the admission process in general:
How to Apply?
To apply for admission to the MD courses in India, students can apply either through online application methods or offline application methods. For the online application method, students need to log in to the official website of the colleges and apply online for admission. The offline application can be done by going to the admission office in person and submitting the paperwork. Additionally, the aspirant has to attend the Entrance Exams conducted by Individual universities/colleges in accordance with the admission procedure of the respective University/college.
Selection Process
For the selection process of the MD course, students can find out the exact criteria by going to the college or university website.
The selection for the final list of candidates is primarily based on the marks obtained by the students in the entrance exam and the undergraduate course. A rank list will be published based on it, upon which the students will be called for a counselling session. Based on the overall marks obtained by the students, the eligible candidates are offered admission to the program.
Who Should Pursue an MD?
MD is a Postgraduate course of 2 years which gives a deep knowledge of medicine in detail. This course is especially considered for those medical students who have completed their medical degree programs. Those students who are now ready to go through the knowledge of diseases, prevention, treatment, and most important study of medicine in detail and can pursue this course.
When To Do MD?
MD has some basic eligibility criteria for the students who want to be admitted to the course. The student should be an Indian citizen with an MBBS degree certificate. The students must have completed an internship period of a minimum of 1 year.
Popular Entrance Exams for MD
There are many entrance exams that are conducted by colleges for admission to the MD course. The course is a three-year-long postgraduate course, which introduces students to all the essential aspects of the medical field and research in medicine. Entrance exams are a means for colleges to assess which student should get admitted to the course. Listed below are some of the popular entrance exams for MD:
A Quick Glance at the MD Entrance Exams
When applying for the MD course, it is an important step for the graduate to know the pattern for the entrance exams. Listed below are the general guidelines and pattern of MD course entrance exams:
- The test lasts for 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- The question type will be MCQs.
- The maximum mark for the exam is 800.
- It contains a total of 200 objective questions.
- Correct answers will receive 4 marks.
MD Course List
MD full form, Doctor of Medicine is a higher postgraduate medicine course dealing with advanced study in Medicine. The course is based on gaining in-depth knowledge of one's chosen field of specialization. The MD course duration in India is 3 years of study, including the successful completion of an exam that covers both theoretical and practical elements.
The curriculum is divided into 6 academic terms. M.D. The course is more practical-oriented and research-based as compared to M.B.B.S. This MD syllabus course studies the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of certain diseases. The students who are studying this course develop an in-depth knowledge of the field of Medical Science. The Medical Council of India is the authority which approves and recognizes various Institutes to provide Doctor of Medicine Degree Courses.
Listed below are some of the top specializations and MD courses list:
- Doctor of Medicine Pathology
- Doctor of Medicine Microbiology
- Doctor of Medicine Physiology
- Doctor of Medicine Pharmacology
- Doctor of Medicine Biochemistry
- Doctor of Medicine Paediatrics
- Doctor of Medicine General Medicine
- Doctor of Medicine Community Medicine
- Doctor of Medicine Psychiatry
- Doctor of Medicine Anatomy
Top 10 MD Colleges in India
The MD duration is of three years. It is a postgraduate course that introduces students to all the essential concepts related to medicine and research. Listed below are the top 10 colleges for MD in India:
| Sl.No. | Name of the College |
| 1 | AIIMS New Delhi |
| 2 | Maulana Azad Medical College |
| 3 | University College of Medical Sciences |
| 4 | B J Medical College |
| 5 | Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences |
| 6 | Indira Gandhi Medical College |
| 7 | Medical College, Vadodara |
| 8 | Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences |
| 9 | Lady Hardinge Medical College |
| 10 | GSVM Medical College |
Fee Structure for MD
The MD fee in India is not fixed. The MD course fees can depend on and vary on many different factors. Some of these factors include the facilities, faculty, and location. The fee for the MD government colleges in India will be lower than that of the private colleges. The average fee for MD colleges in India is around INR 1 - 10 LPA.
Since the MD fees are quite high, one way of reducing the fee structure for the students is that they enrol in government colleges. The MD fees in government colleges tend to be lower hence making them more affordable and accessible. But in contrast, private colleges in India provide students with a more attractive infrastructure and facilities. Thus, justifying the higher MD fees in private medical colleges.
| Sl. No. | Name of the Institute | Average Annual Fees |
| 1 | Christian Medical College | INR 4.73 LPA |
| 2 | Madras Medical College | INR 2.78 LPA |
| 3 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | INR 13.5 LPA |
| 4 | SRM University | INR 15 LPA |
| 5 | Kasturba Medical College | INR 5 LPA |
| 6 | MS Ramaiah Medical College | INR 5 LPA |
| 7 | BVP, Pune | INR 7 LPA |
Syllabus and Subjects for MD
The examination for MD is held at the end of 3 academic years which includes 6 academic terms. MD course is more practical-oriented and research-based as compared to MBBS. The Medical Council of India is the authority that approves and recognizes various Institutes to provide MD Degree Courses.
Since the course involves a deeper study of relevant subjects, one needs to be prepared for mind-boggling study. It is amongst the popular courses pursued by medical graduates, primarily because of the high salary package. There are six semesters in the course. Listed below are some of the core subjects in the course:
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
Read More: MD Syllabus and Subjects
Why Choose MD?
Students often wonder about MD course details before choosing the course. Before deciding on a career, students come across queries like, "What is an MD course?" and "Why choose an MD degree?”. To clearly understand answers to these questions and know more about the MD course, we have framed the following three pointers:
What is MD All About?
MD is a postgraduate medicine course. The MD short form is MD in Medicine. The course is based on gaining in-depth knowledge of one's chosen field of specialization. MD course is more practical-oriented and research-based as compared to MBBS.
The Medical Council of India is the authority that approves and recognizes various Institutes to provide MD Degree Courses. Since the course involves a deeper study of relevant subjects, one needs to be prepared for mind-boggling study.
It is amongst the popular courses pursued by medical graduates, primarily because of the high salary package. The applicants must have a degree of MBBS for admission to this course.
What Does an MD Graduate Do?
In the MD course, the study of medicine will deal with the most recent studies in Manufacturing, Accommodating and moving on to further research in the field of the same. The course is a research-based course where the students are exposed to different methods and techniques related to the field of medicine. Some of the popular job roles that the students start with our Chiropodist, Anesthetist or Anaesthesiologist, General Surgeon, Cardiologist, and Bacteriologist.
Researcher: The researcher's primary duties include data collection, analysis of the data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential.
Reasons Why MD Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
A Medical Doctorate degree is a higher postgraduate degree that is representative of one's speciality training. Speciality in one's own field is more beneficial both in terms of money and fame. Students who have cleared their MD course can opt for further sub-specialization in their area of interest by opting for courses called DM or DNB (Diplomate of National Board), or M.Ch. (Master of Chirurgiae/ Surgery) which are of 3 years duration as well.
Diversity And Relevancy Of The Education: The education that the students gain while pursuing a Doctor in Medicine is a very relevant and industry-appropriate course. The education helps the students to learn about the research techniques and methodologies in detail. Due to the nature of the course, students are able to create a very rewarding career for themselves.
Read More: MD Jobs and Scope
MD Course Comparison
MD stands for MD and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined toward medical sciences. Below is a comparison of the MD course with other courses:
MD vs MS
The table below showcases the differences between MD and MS:
| Course | Masters | Masters |
| Full-Form | MD | Master of Surgery |
| Stream | Medicine | Surgery |
| Course Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Eligibility | Must complete an MBBS degree with a minimum of 50% marks. | Must complete an MBBS degree with a minimum of 50% marks |
| Entrance Exams | NEET PG, AIPGET, and INI CET (AIIMS, JIPMER PG, PGIMER, NIMHANS) | AIIMS, CMC, BHU PET, AIPGMEE, DUPGMET, COMEDK PGET, CET. |
| Top Colleges | AIIMS, Madras Medical College, BJMC | Madras Medical College, UCMS, MS Ramaiah Medical College |
| Fees | INR 10,000 - 15 LPA | INR 54,000 - 18 LPA |
Read More: MD vs MS
MBBS vs MD
Given below is the course comparison of MD and MBBS courses:
| Parameter | MD | MBBS Course |
| Overview | A Doctor of Medicine is a three-year speciality medical programme that deals with applying and using medicine and medical care for patients in need. | MBBS is done by students who want to be future doctors, it teaches and provides knowledge of fields such as anatomy, paediatrics, biochemistry, etc. |
| Duration | 3 Years | 5.5 years (4.5 years + 1 year of rational internship) |
| Average Course Fee | INR 5 LPA | INR 1 - 8 LPA |
| Job Opportunities | Physician / Doctor - Internal Medicine, Physician / Doctor - Radiologist, Anesthesiologist, Pathologist, Pathologist (Medical) | Surgeon, Physician, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Clinics, Hospitals, etc. | Clinics, Hospitals, etc. |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 5 - 10 LPA [Source: PayScale] | INR 4 - 10 LPA [Source: Glassdoor] |
DNB vs MD
A post graduate degree Diplomate in National Board (DNB) is awarded by the National Board of Examinations under the Union Ministry of Health, India. DNB candidates are trained at big private hospitals while MD students are trained at Medical colleges.
Given below are the general differences between DNB and MD.
| Parameter | MD | DNB |
| Overview | A Doctor of Medicine is a three-year speciality medical programme that deals with applying and using medicine and medical care for patients in need. | Diplomate of National Board (DNB) is a Post-graduate Master's degree awarded to Specialist Doctors in India after completion of a three-year residency. DNB courses are run and the degrees are awarded by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), New Delhi. |
| Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Average Course Fee | INR 5 LPA | INR 5 - 10 LPA |
| Job Opportunities | Physician / Doctor - Internal Medicine, Physician / Doctor - Radiologist, Anesthesiologist, Pathologist, Pathologist (Medical) | Cardiac Anaesthesia, Cardiology, Clinical Pharmacology, Critical Care Medicine |
| Top Recruiters | Clinics, Hospitals, etc. | Hospitals |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 5 - 10 LPA [Source: PayScale] | INR 5 - 10 LPA [Source: PayScale] |
Preparation Tips for MD
When pursuing a MD course, it is an essential requirement for the students to prepare themselves for the course and the exams. Listed below are some of the essential tips that the students should take:
Start Early: An early start to prepare for the course can be an advantage to the candidate to get to know all the concepts and modules in the course.
Knowledge of the Exam Paper: Preparing for the exams with the reference of previous question papers could make it easy for a candidate to prepare during exams.
Time Management: A timetable should be prepared so that the student can prepare in some of the subjects of the course where he/she is lagging behind.
Scope For Higher Education
MD is a research-based postgraduate degree that introduces students to all the important aspects of the medical field. Since the course involves a deeper study of relevant subjects, one needs to be prepared for mind-boggling study.
The subject also deals with the implementation and the further consequences of non-generic medicines on the human body, which will influence and reduce the causes of human death. Listed below are some of the popular higher education options available for students:
Salary of a MD Graduate
The MD salary in India is not a very fixed salary and is flexible. The salary for the graduates is variable on multiple factors. Some of these factors are location, education, experience, and designation. A MD's average salary in India is around INR 3 - 5 LPA [Source: PayScale].
Read More: MD Salary
Career Options After MD
Job opportunities for MD graduates have various opportunities to choose from. Job opportunities are available in both the public and private sectors. The most common roles the graduates work in are:
- Pathologist
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist
- Obstetrician
- Meteorologist
- Paediatrician
- Gastroenterologist
- Radiologist
- Physiologist
- Resident Medical Officer
Skills That Make You The Best MD Graduate
There are many skills that MD graduates need to have to ensure that they succeed in their careers. Some of these skills are listed below:
- Flexible Temperament
- Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Time Management Skills
- Quantitative Ability Skills
- Logical Reasoning Skills
| Other Popular PG Courses | |
| MBA | MCA |
| MA | MSW |
| M.Sc | M.Phil |
| MTech | PGDM |
| PGDCA | MPA |
| MIM | MPT |
Top MD [Doctor of Medicine] Colleges
MD Fee Structure
FAQs on MD
Q: Can I do MD after BAMS?
A: Yes MD is possible to pursue after a BAMS degree. After completing your BAMS, you can go for an MD or MS in Ayurveda.
Q: What are the fees for the MD course?
A: The average fee for MD colleges in India is around INR 1 - 10 LPA.
Q: Which MD is best after MBBS?
A: There are many courses after MBBS that the students can pursue. Some of the popular choices include MD Radio-Diagnosis, MD Dermatology, MD General Medicine, MD Pediatrics, and MD Forensic Medicine.
Q: How many years is an MD degree?
A: The course duration of a Doctor of Medicine [MD] is 3 Years.
Q: Is MD a doctoral degree?
A: MD is a Masters's/Postgraduate degree. A candidate becomes eligible for MD only after successfully completing an MBBS degree. Some countries consider an MD degree a professional doctorate for surgeons and physicians (i.e U.S.A and, the Philippines).
Q: Is PhD higher than MD?
A: MD and PhD are both higher degrees. MD stands for Doctor of Medicine, and PhD stands for Doctor of philosophy. The first difference that can be mentioned between the two, is that MD is associated with treating patients, and a PhD is related to a doctor's degree in other fields.
Q: Does MD require NEET?
A: Since MD is a PG degree, candidates must have a NEET-PG score/ rank, in order to take admissions in one of the MD specializations in India. The minimum aggregate score requirement in the qualifying examination will vary from college to college.
