After 10+2: NEET Examination
In India, admission to medical colleges is organized by the central government, by NTA (National Testing Agency) through tests known as NEET entrance examination. Students who have successfully completed their 10+2 (Physics, chemistry and biology marks are considered and PCB is mandatory) education can appear for the tests the same year.
The NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), conducted by NTA, fills 15% of total MBBS seats in India. These exams are conducted once every year during the month of May. It selects about 65,000 students out of a total applicants of over 15,00,000.
The Supreme Court Of India has mandated the necessity of entrance examination based upon multiple choice questions and negative marking for wrong answers with subsequent merit over 50% for selection into MBBS as well as higher medical education. The entrance exams are highly competitive.
The graduate program consists of three professionals consisting of 9 semesters, followed by one-year internship (rotating housemanship). The degree granted is Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) of five years and six months.
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Subdivision of the MBBS Degree
The graduate degree of MBBS is divided into 3 professionals, with each professional ending with a professional exam conducted by the university (a single university may have up to dozens of medical colleges offering various graduate/post-graduate/post-doctoral degrees). After clearing this, the student moves into the next professional. Each professional exam consists of a theory exam and a practical exam. These are conducted by the same college along with external examiners. The exams are tough and many students are unable to clear them, thereby prolonging their degree time.
The medical education curriculum is structured into distinct phases, each playing a crucial role in shaping the future healthcare professionals. The first professional year is dedicated to foundational knowledge encompassing preclinical subjects such as anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. Moving into the second professional year and extending over a year and a half, students delve into subjects like pathology, pharmacology, microbiology (including immunology), and forensic medicine, marking the initiation of clinical exposure.
Advancing into the third professional phase, it is divided into two parts. Part 1 encompasses ophthalmology, ENT, and PSM (preventive and social medicine), providing a broadened perspective. Transitioning to Part 2, students encounter intensive study in general medicine (encompassing dermatology and psychiatry as short subjects), general surgery (with radiology, anaesthesiology, and orthopaedics as short subjects), as well as paediatrics and obstetrics & gynaecology.
Mandatory Internship
Following the completion of the academic journey, a crucial one-year internship, known as house-surgeonship, is undertaken. It serves as a practical bridge between theoretical learning and real-world application. Upon successful completion of the internship, the prestigious MBBS degree is conferred by the respective university. Notably, in certain states, a mandatory period of rural service follows the attainment of the MBBS degree, underscoring the commitment to address healthcare needs in underserved areas.
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Higher Medical Education
Selection for higher medical education is through entrance examinations as mandated by the Supreme Court of India. Further postgraduate qualifications may be obtained as Post-graduate Diploma of two years residency or Doctoral Degree (MS: Master of Surgery, or MD) of three years of residency under the aegis of the Medical Council of India. The MD/MS seats in India are filled up through NEET PG Examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) under the supervision of the Directorate General of Health Services.
Theses/Dissertations are also mandatory to be submitted and cleared by university, associated with medical colleges, along with examinations (written and clinical) to obtain MD/MS degree. Further sub-speciality post-doctoral qualification (DM – Doctorate of Medicine, or MCh – Magister of Chirurgery) of three years of residency. Further by university examinations may also be obtained.
PG (post-graduate) qualification is equivalent to M.D./M.S., consisting of two/three-years residency after MBBS. A PG diploma may also be obtained through the National Board of Examinations (NBE). The NBE also offers three years residency for sub-specialisation. All degrees by NBE are called DNB (Diplomate of National Board). DNB’s are awarded only after clearance of theses/dissertations and examinations. DNBs equivalent to DM/MCh and it is certainly compulsary for them to clear examinations.
