The healthcare industry offers promising career and learning opportunities for individuals pursuing a future in the medical field. In India, there has been a significant rise in the number of students opting for degree-level medical education after completing their senior secondary studies. Among the most sought-after courses are MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Health Sciences, and Biotechnology.
Traditionally, MBBS has been the preferred choice for students aspiring to build a career in medicine. However, recent trends show a growing interest in BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) and BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), with students competing intensely for limited seats in these programs.
While both BAMS and BDS fall under the umbrella of healthcare, they differ significantly in curriculum, clinical practice, treatment methodologies, and professional roles. These differences are reflected in the type of medical equipment used, learning approaches, patient care strategies, and areas of specialization.
To gain a clear understanding of the advantages and distinctions between BAMS and BDS—and to make an informed decision about which path suits you best—read through this detailed guide that compares both courses comprehensively.

BAMS Course

BAMS is a short form for Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine, and Surgery. It is a graduate-level degree program that is taught over a period of five and a half years. In this time schedule, 5 years are reserved for the academic teaching-learning process. Later, 6 months are supposed to be dedicated to the internship program which will mark the conclusion of your degree program. Since it is a recognized medical field in India that is valuable to the country’s history and origin, the admissions to this course are overseen by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine. The studies in this field of medicine involve learning about concepts such as pathology, Sharir Rachna, anatomy, forensic medicine, ayurveda itihas, vyadhi vigyan, charak samhita, physiology, dravya (drugs), etc. While some people believe that the facts taught under this stream of knowledge are based on the ancient sciences of India, others argue that it is majorly different from the medical science concepts that are studied today. Students can be assured that this course has ample career prospects in India. Unparallel to the popular opinion where some might believe that the BAMS course is easier than other medical courses in India, the BAMS course is very extensive and mandates learning about complex medical theories and concepts that have been developed for hundreds and thousands of years. We can safely term it a highly specialized field.

BDS Course

BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) is a graduate-level degree in India that qualifies individuals to practice dentistry. The program spans five years, including a compulsory internship that provides hands-on clinical experience. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for employment in both government and private hospitals, and many choose to establish their own dental clinics, making it a financially rewarding career path.
The BDS curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical training and skill development, particularly in the use of dental tools and techniques. Students study a wide range of subjects such as Oral Microbiology and Pathology, Preclinical Conservative Dentistry, Dental and General Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Orthodontics, and more. The course covers all aspects of diagnosing and treating oral health issues.
Examinations are conducted on a semester basis, and students are evaluated through written tests, viva voce, practical assessments, and internship performance. For those looking to further their expertise, BDS also offers scope for postgraduate specialization in fields like Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontology, and Prosthodontics with Crown and Bridge, among others.

Eligibility criteria for BAMS BDS courses

Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements before applying for BAMS or BDS courses. Since the admission criteria for both courses are largely similar, we have outlined the key qualifications below.-
Admissions to both BAMS and BDS courses are regulated by the National Medical Commission. As per the established guidelines, candidates must appear for the national-level entrance exam, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). This is a paper-based test, which must be completed within 3 hours and 20 minutes
NEET has to be qualified with the prescribed cut-off of the current year.
Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by December 31st of the admission year. The upper age limit to apply for BAMS or BDS courses is 25 years.
Applicants must have successfully completed their 10+2 education, with the final board examinations conducted by a recognized education board.
To be eligible for the BAMS course, applicants must have secured a minimum of 50% marks for the unreserved category and 40% for the reserved category. The same eligibility criteria apply to the BDS course as well.
Students from humanities or commerce streams are not eligible for admission to medical courses. Only those who have completed their higher secondary education with a focus on the science stream—specifically in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and English—are eligible to apply.

How to secure admission into BAMS BDS courses in India

Eligible candidates have to appear for the national-level NEET examination.
Qualifying candidates whose score meets and go above the cut-off marks must register themselves for the counseling sessions organized by the MCC.
The MCC will allot you seats based on your NEET AIR rank and score.
Factors like your domicile and category are also important. Seats are particularly reserved under All India Quota (AIQ) and state quota.
Choose a college of your preference keeping in mind the availability of seats.
Reach your college in due time to get ll your documents verified.
You might be required to undergo a medical fitness test as well.
Inquire about any fees that has to submitted and get your admission confirmed.

Medical education in India is highly advanced and diverse. From the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda to cutting-edge innovations like machine learning and modern prosthetics, Indian medical studies encompass a broad spectrum. The curriculum integrates traditional practices with contemporary techniques, offering students a well-rounded foundation in the field. Unlike the Western education system, which primarily focuses on modern sciences, Indian institutions excel across multiple medical domains. This versatility benefits aspiring medical professionals aiming to build their careers in India. To pursue any medical course, candidates must appear for the highly competitive NEET examination, the results of which determine their eligibility for various programs.

In the Indian sphere, the NEET examination is taken to secure admission into medical courses, namely, MBBS, BDS, and BAMS. The three classifications have a certain number of seats available in the public and private colleges of the country. While MBBS has 83,075 seats in total, there are 52,720 and 26,949 seats for BAMS and BDS courses respectively. Out of the total number of seats, there are compulsory reservations for applicants belonging to the OBC, SC, ST, and PwD categories. Moreover, Quotas are also applicable for NRIs who want to pursue a medical course in India.

Understanding the three prominent medical courses in India

MBBS

The acronym stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. It is a graduation-level medical degree and is one of the most demanded qualifications among aspiring medical students. In India, the duration of the course is 5.5 years. The academic part of this course duration is 5 years. 6 months to 1 year is reserved for the internship program which is a compulsory step in order to attain the medical degree and thus, cannot be avoided. Compulsory stipends are paid to students during the internship period. It is a core course for numerous job profiles such as general physicians, dieticians, dermatologists, medical surgeons, officers, etc. Even if you have the aim of specializing in a particular medical field then also, an MBBS qualification is unnegotiable. In the last few years, the students of the medical stream in the country has shown a heightened interest in this degree course. This is particularly because of the reputation that the post of a doctor enjoys in our society. In response, the National Medical Commission has facilitated the opening of numerous medical colleges in India to meet the demand for this program.

BDS

BDS stands for Bachelor of Dental Surgery. It is a graduation-level dental degree and promises a bright career for students. The reason is that specialists in dental education do not just cater to issues faced by patients. In fact, people visit them regularly for maintenance, hygiene, implanting accessories, correcting dental structures, etc. The BDS course duration is a 5-year program in India where four years are reserved for academic courses and one year is supposed to be dedicated to internship. Just like MBBS, the internship is an important part of the degree course and has to be completed in order to attain the final certificate. The examinations are conducted in a semester-wise format. According to a report issued in the year 2019, there are 310 colleges in the country from the private as well as the public sector that are offering this course. Each year, more than 33,000 students opt to study this course. BDS course subjects include learning about general medicine, dental materials, microbiology, orthodontics, periodontics, etc.

BAMS

BAMS means Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine, and Surgery. The course has its origins as well as practices based on the study of medicine in ancient India. Unlike modern science, most of its cures are found from natural sources that are present in the environment. The course is widely popular and relevant in the Indian scenario today because a majority of people believe in its theories. The course is taught over a period of 5.5 years to students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. An internship of six months or one year is compulsory. The BAMS course conducts examinations yearly instead of semester-wise. There are multiple employment opportunities for students who hold their degree. Other than working as a practicing Ayurvedic doctor, there are sufficient employment opportunities in the consumer sector, fashion and wellness, etc. The BAMS syllabus consists of studies of herbal medicine, physiology, anatomy, traditional treatments, techniques to diagnose medical conditions, etc.

Understanding the MBBS admission process

The entrance examination called NEET is the primary and basic requirement to study MBBS in India. It is a national-level competitive exam where more than 20 lakh students compete against each other every year. The marks obtained by the student in the NEET exam are the deciding factor in securing an MBBS course in medical colleges in India. The cut-off declared by the NTA and the qualifying marks of the student will take them to the next level of the MBBS admission process which is to take part in the counseling organized by MCC. Further, the students can finalize the college they wish to attend and reach the institute in time to confirm their admission.

Understanding the BDS admission process

To enroll in a BDS college in India, the initial requirement is the same as that of MBBS. Students from the science stream have to appear for the NEET examination and qualify for it as well. If students qualify for the cut-off set for the BDS program then they can register themselves for the counseling sessions. The MCC will then allot seats to the candidates depending on factors like NEET UG rank, location, course choice, availability of seats, etc.

Understanding the BAMS admission process

BAMS comes under the Ministry of Ayush which is responsible for the study of all alternative medicines in India. Students who are interested in learning about this course and are thus navigating the BAMS admission process have to first and foremost prepare and appear for the NEET examination. Before applying for the exam, students must ensure that they meet all the eligibility criteria so that their application does not get rejected at a later stage. After appearing for the common entrance exam the students can wait for their announcement of their NEET rank 2024 as well as the cut-off. In the meanwhile, dedicate your precious time to search about popular colleges for BAMS and shortlist the ones in which you are most interested. Prepare a personal statement in the form of an application where you highlight the reasons for your interest in Ayurvedic knowledge. You can focus on the long and short-term career goals. Make sure that your document is well-organized and free of any grammatical or writing errors. Students who qualify for the entrance exam can attend the counseling sessions of MCC to confirm their seats in the medical college. For the final step of your BAMS admission process, reach your institute along with all valid documents and maintain a flexible approach throughout.

A comparative analysis of MBBS BDS BAMS fees India

Medical courses in India are always in demand. It is because of this reason that the fee structure of their courses is extremely dynamic and influenced by factors by factors such as the reputation/location of the college, infrastructure, facilities offered to students, faculty, clinical exposure, standard placement opportunities, etc. Primary to all the formerly mentioned points, a serious differentiation in the fee structure of medical courses in India is based on whether the applied college is private or government.
Medical courses in India fees can vary for central universities, deemed universities, state universities, and private universities. Private institutions usually charge higher for all medical courses in India.
The fee differs for students belonging to reserved and unreserved categories. However, students from the NRI quota pay three to four times the amount that is charged to an Indian national.
Apart from the tuition fees, the registration fee has to be deposited too. It can range from INR 1,000 to 10,000. For most institutes this fee is non-refundable. Deemed universities demand security fees that can amount to up to INR 2,00,000.
The MBBS course fees in India can start from INR 6000 to INR 55,000 per year in a government college. For private institutes, the course fee can start from 8-10 lakhs and then go up to INR 2 cr for the entire course period.
The bds course fees for the 5-year undergraduate program will range between INR 50,000 and INR 6-12 lakhs per annum. Again, the quality of your college will determine the final amount you have to spend on your BDS degree. The hostel charges are usually mentioned apart from the tuition fees.
Students interested in Ayurvedic studies have to spend INR 10,000 to 30,000 as BAMS course fees if they are admitted into a government college in India. However, private institutions can demand INR 40,000 to INR 12 lakhs or more for the same course.

MBBS BDS BMAS eligibility in India

Prescribed MBBS eligibility in India

Applicants who are below 17 years of age when they apply for admission into the MBBS course will not be eligible.
People above 25 years of age cannot apply for an MBBS program in India.
Applicants should have passed their 12th class from a recognized private, central, or state board only.
Applicants must have opted for the Science stream in their senior secondary school and studied subjects such as physics, biology, chemistry, and English.
Depending on the category of the student, they should have scored 40%-50% in their board examinations.
The renowned AIIMS institutes demand that students who want to study MBBS from their institute should have 45% and 60% for reserved and unreserved categories respectively.
The common entrance examination NEET should be taken and qualified.
Institutes like AIIMS, JIPMER, and states like Kerala and Karnata can expect students to sit for their personal entrance tests as well.

Prescribed BDS eligibility in India

The student should have completed 17 years of age.
They should have completed their high secondary school education from approved boards like CBSE, ICSE, or other state boards.
Studying PCB subjects in the 12th standard is compulsory.
Instead of just an aggregate, it is vital that students obtain at least 50% of their marks in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.
To ascertain their admission BDS course, applicants have to register and sit for the national-level NEET examination.
Qualify the annually-held NEET exam with the cut-off declared for BDS courses.

Prescribed BAMS eligibility in India

Applicants between 17 and 25 years of age can apply for a BAMS course in India.
They should have completed and passed the 10+2 examinations.
It is required that the applicants have studies from the science stream. Biology, Physics, and Chemistry have to be the core subjects of their 12th or other equivalent class.
The passing score of the student has to be 60%. Some colleges can admit you on a score range of 505-59% as well.
Appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test and qualify for the examination. There is a different qualifying score for students from reserved and unreserved categories.
Admission to BAMS courses depends on the merit score and NEET AIR of the student.

Significant colleges for medical courses in India

MBBS Colleges in India

S. NO.	College Name	Location
1	St. John Medical College	Bangalore
2	Aligarh Muslim University	Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
3	Madras Medical College & Govt. General Hospital	Chennai
4	All India Institute of Medical Science	Delhi
5	Christian Medical College	Vellore
6	Banaras Hindu University	Varanasi
7	PGIMER	Chandigarh
8	National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Science	Bangalore, Karnataka
9	Amrita Institute of Medical Science & Research	Kerala
10	JIPMER	Puducherry
11	King George’s Medical University	Uttar Pradesh
12	Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (Safdurjung Hospital)	New Delhi
13	Kasturba Medical College	Mangalore, Karnataka
14	SGPIMS	Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
15	Sri Ramchandra Institute of Higher Education & Research	Chennai

Top Medical Colleges for BDS in India

S. No	College Name	Location
1	Dr. R Ahmed Dental College & Hospital	Kolkata, West Bengal
2	Government Dental College & Hospital	Mumbai
3	Institute of Medical Science, BHU	Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
4	Faculty of Dental Science KGMU	Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
5	Manipal College of Dental Sciences	Manipal, Karnataka
6	Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences,DU	Delhi

Bams Medical Colleges in India

S. No.	College Name	Location
1	Bharathi Vidyapeeth Deemed University	Pune, Maharashtra
2	Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU	Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
3	Madhav University	Sirohi, Rajasthan
4	Baba Farid University of Health Science	Faridkot, Punjab
5	National Institute of Ayurveda	Jaipur
6	NTR University of Health University	Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
7	Gujarat Ayurveda University	Jamnagar, Gujarat
8	Maharashtra Institute of Health Sciences	Nashik, Maharashtra

Suitable career options after MBBS, BDS and BAMS

The career prospects under various medical courses are innumerable and ever-increasing. All occupational fields of medical studies come with enhanced responsibilities with utmost regard for the people that the professionals are supposed to look after. Just like the employment opportunities that are available for MBBS BDS BAMS courses, the financial rewards for these services are also great in number. Below we have highlighted some streams that prospective medical professionals can consider for their future:

Opportunities for an MBBS career in India

Graduates who want to get employed right after obtaining an MBBS qualification can find work in the capacity of medical officers, medical assistants, general physicians, etc.
Academic-oriented MBBS qualifiers who want to specialize in a particular domain can opt to study for a master’s degree after their graduation. Specializing in a field will add to the value of their qualifications. Some popular post-graduation courses that have academic and economic benefits are ENT, anesthesia, ophthalmology, anatomy, obstetrics/gynecology, forensic medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, etc.
Other alternative career options can be a medical writer, academic instructor, legal advisor, researcher, public servant, entrepreneur, medical representative, medical journalism, etc.
The initial and expected salary of MBBS graduates can start from INR 2.5 lakhs and can go up to INR 15 lakhs per year.

Opportunities for a BDS career in India

Graduates from this program can expect their BDS salary to be in the range of INR 4 lakhs to INR 10 lakhs per annum.
BDS degree holders can apply for placements to gain more practical experience in government as well as private hospitals.
After successfully completing the internship program they are eligible to work under established dental surgeons. This deed will prepare them well to start their own practice as well.
You can apply for a master’s program in dental surgery after appearing and qualifying in the NEET PG entrance examination. Specialization subjects that you can opt for are operative dentistry, orthodontics, conservative dentistry, etc.
A different though fruitful career option can be an MBA in hospital management.
In the last few years, graduates from a dentistry background have developed beneficial careers in the cosmetic industry. Widely known as dental cosmetology, this profession caters to maintaining the dental appearance, adding or removing accessories, etc.

Opportunities for a BAMS career in India

Since BAMS is a broad stream that has a good scope for global recognition, graduates can professionally work to raise awareness about its benefits on national and international platforms.
The annual BAMS salary for graduates can begin from INR 50,000 to INR 12 lakhs on an annual basis.
BAMS degree holders can employ themselves as medical transcription, medical event managers, journalism catering to BAMS medicine, or documenting the BAMS treatment for various diseases.
There are notable jobs for BAMS professionals in government as well as private sector.
Professionals can benefit abundantly from good word of mouth for their services as there is an increasing interest of common people in Ayurvedic medicines.

Conclusion

Certainly, the field of medical education in India is unique from the rest of the world because of the course variations and career opportunities it presents to students and professionals. Various medical colleges in India can be recognized for their quality of education in MBBS BDS BAMS courses. To summarize, MBBS is the general study of medicine that all professionals have to complete before moving on to specialize in a specific field of medicine. Bachelor of dental surgery caters to the study of dental science as well as surgery. In India, it is the only (basic) authorized qualification that is recognized for all professions of dentistry. Finally, the popular BAMS course in India differs abundantly in its practices and approach from the two above-mentioned courses. Its studies are relevant in India as well as some other Asian countries as an increasing number of people are getting attracted to it. Other than some restrictions, all of these courses are recognized globally and thus present career opportunities in almost all parts of the globe. As a final word, students who are in the process of admission into medical colleges in India shall not make unnecessary haste or have a rigid mentality while choosing the medical course they want to study. It is better to navigate through all your options as well as thoroughly research the career prospects to make an informed decision that will bear fruitful benefits for you in the future. If you are facing challenges in choosing your course, finding medical colleges in your domicile, eligibility criteria, or understanding the fee structure then you can get in touch with MBBS Admission Consultants in India who can guide you about what is best according to your profile as a student. Since the NEET examination is the primary requirement of all medical courses, the best NEET counsellor in India can assist you with services pertaining to this field as well.

Which career option is better- BAMS vs BDS

Category: Neet Career