To become a Doctor, candidates must complete their MBBS degree which is the first and the most crucial step. After completing the MBBS degree and a mandatory 6-month internship, individuals must obtain a license to practice medicine legally by the Medical Council of India (MCI) or the respective state medical council. Doctors can also specialize in various medical fields through postgraduate programs like MD, MS and DNB. To become a Doctor and seek admission to the MBBS Course, candidates must successfully complete their 10+2 from the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as their compulsory subjects. However, as per the revised NEET eligibility criteria, candidates with Biology as an additional subject are also eligible to apply for NEET. The average monthly Salary of a Doctor in India ranges between INR 2 L - 3 L. The salary of a doctor also depends on their specialization, experience, and qualifications.
2.2 ENT Specialist
2.3 Dentists
2.4 Cardiologists
2.5 Psychiatrists
2.6 Pediatrician
2.7 Oncologist
2.8 Neurologist
4.1 After class 10th
4.2 After class 12th
5.1 MBBS
How to Become a Doctor: Quick Facts
Industry | Healthcare, Medical, Pharma |
Eligibility | MBBS |
Average Starting Salary | INR 4 LPA – 6 LPA |
Highest Salary | INR 20.4 LPA & above |
Job Opportunity | Multi Speciality Hospitals, Government Hospitals, Healthcare Centers, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies |
Types of Doctors
Doctors are specialized to treat specific organs and diseases. Every specialization deals with a certain part of the human body's anatomy. Some of the Types of Doctors who offer their services to treat different ailemts of the human body are discussed below for your reference.
General Physician
Specialization | The most commonly found doctor in every hospital, camp, and locality is a general physician. They are the ones who do the basic treatment to identify the underlying issue of the patient and then refer them to the respective specialized doctors. General Physicians prescribe first-hand treatment and medication to patients. To become a General Physician, candidates can pursue MD General Medicine from any of the MD General Medicine Top Colleges across India. Admissions to these colleges are made on the basis of entrance exams. |
Average Annual Salary (INR) | 7.10 L |
ENT Specialist
Specialization | The full form of ENT is ear, nose, and throat, thus an ENT specialist is a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat related issues. They examine these parts of the body and then diagnose and treat them accordingly. They also diagnose issues related to speech and hearing deformities in children. To become an ENT Specialist, candidates can pursue courses such as MS ENT from any of the top MS ENT Colleges across the country. |
Average Annual Salary (INR) | 9.60 L |
Dentist
Specialization | Dentists are doctors who treat every issues related to teeth. A dentist is someone who has specialization in treating teeth, gums, and other associated problems such as cavities, tooth extraction, and root canal treatment. Dentists are experts in diagnosing root canals, wisdom teeth, and silver or gold filling. In order to become a Dentist, candidates can pursue Dental Courses such as BDS or MDS from any of the Top Dental Colleges in India. |
Average Annual Salary (INR) | 7.70 L |
Cardiologist
Specialization | They deal with various cardiac cases, they perform various heart related tests such as ECG, TMT, Eco- Cardio and understand a patient’s heart condition. Accordingly, they treat a patient’s heart to prevent cardiac arrest. In order to become a Cardiologist candidates can pursue MD Cardiology from any of the top MD Cardiology Colleges in India. |
Average Annual Salary (INR) | 14.70 L |
Psychiatrists
Specialization | They are doctors for maintaining the well being of the mental health. They treat the human mind, to find out the causes of their mental issues. It is not always very prominent that one needs a psychiatrist, but it is a good practice to go for check-ups every so often. MD Psychiatry can be taken up by students aspiring to become a Psychiatrist from any of the Top Psychiatry Colleges in India. |
Average Annual Salary (INR) | 15.51 L |
Pediatrician
Specialization | Pediatricians are doctors whose area of specialization generally involves infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. It has been found that Pediatricians are the major source of primary health care providers from birth to almost the age of 18 years. In order to become a Pediatrician, candidates can pursue MD Pediatrics courses from any of the top Pediatrics Colleges in the country. |
Average Annual Salary (INR) | 9.60 L |
Oncologists
Specialization | The study of cancer is termed Oncology and doctors who specialize and treat cancer and provide medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer are termed Oncologists. In order to become an Oncologist candidates can pursue DM Oncology courses from the top Oncology Colleges across the country. |
Average Annual Salary (INR) | 9.45 L |
Neurologist
Specialization | Neurologists deal with the human body’s anatomy and treat various disorders in the nervous system. Anyone who suffers from nervous breakdowns, should see a neurologist. In order to become a neurologist aspiring candidates can pursue DM Neurology from some of the top DM Neurology Colleges across the country. |
Average Annual Salary (INR) | 11.64 L |
Steps to Become a Doctor
There are a few important steps that can be followed to know how to become a doctor after 12th, here we explain those steps in detail:
- Complete Class 12 in Relevant Subjects: Candidates must clear class 12 board exams with the required grades in all subjects in order to receive a pursue relevant medical courses and become a doctor. They can choose the basic science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in 10+2 as these are required for MBBS admission. Knowledge of these basic disciplines is required to clear medical entrance exams like NEET, AIIMS, and JPIMER. A thorough understanding of these courses might help in achieving the appropriate score on the entrance exam and getting enrolled in top medical schools.
- Clear MBBS Entrance Exams: Following the completion of 12th board exams, candidates have to sit for the required entrance exam to get admission to a medical school. The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) is the most common entrance test in India to become a Doctor, and its results are accepted by most medical institutes. Several colleges, including JPIMER, AIIMS, Kasturba Medical College, Maulana Azad Medical College, and others, hold their own entrance exams. Post clearing the required fees and submitting the required documentation, admission to the medical college can be finalized.
- Complete MBBS: While many individuals enrol right after graduation, students can wait until 25 to apply for the MBBS. It's best to start medical school within two years of finishing class 12 board exams. Admission to the MBBS program requires a minimum age of 17 years. After completing class 12 board exams, the minimum time required to become a doctor after 12th usually comes to 5 – 6 years. Candidates are eligible to practice medicine after completing the MBBS degree. After completing MBBS, candidates have the option of pursuing a speciality.
- Pursue an Internship: Candidates for an MBBS degree are normally expected to do a 1-year mandatory internship as part of their program. During the internship, candidates will have the opportunity to work under the supervision of top doctors and with patients who require a variety of therapies. They must exhibit a good level of knowledge and abilities during the required internship to be eligible for the MBBS degree.
- Get Registered at the Indian Medical Register: To practice medicine in India, candidates must first register with one of the country's state medical councils. Doctors who are registered with one of the state medical boards are usually able to join the Indian Medical Register. They must obtain an MBBS degree and an internship from an institute approved by the Medical Council of India in order to be eligible. Candidates can begin their careers and practice medicine in India after registering with the Indian Medical Register.
- Start Practicing as a Doctor: Candidates who want to advance their expertise in the medical field after completing their master's degree can pursue a second master's degree or even a PhD. Following their MBBS and a master's degree in medical science, many doctors choose to practice medicine. There are two common possibilities when it comes to practice. The first entails working as an employee doctor in a particular healthcare facility, such as a multi-speciality hospital. The second alternative is to work independently in their own clinic or under the supervision of a senior doctor. Read: How to Become a Doctor without NEET
How to Become a Doctor in India
Becoming a doctor in India is a conventional process that takes a lot of merit and dedication. Students who wish to know how to become a doctor in India must start preparation from class 10 onwards. They need to choose the right subjects, prepare for NEET, and decide whether they want to pursue MBBS, or specialized courses such as BSc, BAMS or BPT.
How To Become a Doctor after Class 10th
- Students need to study MBBS to become a doctor. To become a doctor after 10th, candidates should take up Science with Biology. It is up to the student if he/she wants Mathematics or not, but Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are important.
- Thereafter they must clear the 10+2 board exams level with good grades and then score at least 55% aggregate in PCB if the student is from the general category. Then comes NEET which is a national-level entrance exam for MBBS or the gateway to become a doctor in India.
- They must score at least 600 marks or more in NEET in order to get admission to a good Medical College. Thus it is advisable to start the preparation of becoming a doctor in India from class 10.
How to Become a Doctor After 12th
Students right after class 10 can choose Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (with or without maths) to start preparing for MBBS or other courses that will help them to become a doctor in India. The following section discusses the step-by-step process to become a doctor after class 12th.
School Level Preparation
- Every student who wishes to become a doctor after 12th must have a science subjects combination such as physics, chemistry and biology at a higher secondary level. Students are required to start preparing after class 10 and choose their subjects properly. Check: NEET Eligibility
- Biology being an optional subject in class 12, must be mandatorily taken up by students in class 12 in order to pursue MBBS.
- Students must prepare for NEET from class 11 in order to get high marks. Many institutes offer preparation and guidance for students who want to sit for NEET.
Graduation
Some of the key steps that must be followed to become a Doctor during graduation are discussed below.
- After completion of class 10+2, one will have to clear the entrance examination and complete a 5 years MBBS course.
- The graduation course is for 5 years in India and then will have to do an internship.
- The upper age limit of 25 years for sitting in NEET has been scrapped. Thus students after graduation can apply for NEET.
- The student must have PCM subjects in class 12 with 50% in class 12 boards.
Post Graduation
The steps that must be followed to become a Doctor after graduation are listed below for your reference.
- After completion of MBBS, the doctor will do an internship for a year and then can pursue further education to become MD and MS which is the highest degree in doctor.
- Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science can be pursued after becoming a doctor through MBBS.
Courses to Become a Doctor
MBBS is the only course that makes one eligible to become a doctor or a general physician and practice medicine either at government hospitals or at your own clinics. However, there are other courses like BSc, BAMS, and BPT that you can pursue up to the doctorate levels and obtain a doctoral degree to have a prefix of “Dr.” and become a specialized doctor in fields like Ayurveda, Physiotherapy, etc.
MBBS
MBBS, full form, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, is a 5.5-years professional degree in medical sciences. It is one of the popular courses to become a doctor in India as well as abroad.
The eligibility criteria to pursue MBBS is to have at least 50% aggregate marks in 10+2 or equivalent examinations with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects.
MBBS Course Details
- Admission to the MBBS course is granted through NEET.
- MCI revoked all the previous MBBS entrance exams and made NEET the only exam for admission to any government or private medical colleges for MBBS in 2019.
- For studying MBBS abroad, in top countries like Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia, students need to have a bachelor’s degree from any science stream. Also, students need to apply for medical entrance exams such as MCAT, along with language proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL.
- MBBS syllabus consists of subjects such as Anatomy, Pathology, Pharmacology, Paediatrics, Health & Medicine, Surgery, etc. The duration of 5.5 years, a 1-year compulsory internship is also a part of the MBBS course curriculum.
- After MBBS, students can start practising as a doctor or general physicians, with an average salary of INR 5 LPA – 12 LPA.
- Some of the popular Courses after MBBS include MD and MS in various specializations.
MBBS Entrance Exams
- NEET is the only entrance examination to become a doctor in India via an MBBS course.
- NEET comprises of 3 sections: Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.
- The question pattern of NEET is an MCQ-based paper. NEET question paper has 180 questions, in which for every correct answer you will score 4 marks whereas, for every incorrect answer 1 mark will be deducted.
- To be eligible for NEET 2024, candidates must score 50% marks (40% for reserved category students) from any recognized board with Chemistry, Physics, and Botany/Zoology as compulsory subjects in their class 12 exam.
- The minimum age limit for NEET 2024 is 17 years old.
- The admission process after NEET includes a counselling session after the announcement of NEET results.
NEET 2024 Important Dates
NEET 2024 examination is scheduled to be held on June 2024. The notification for Neet 2024 registrations for NEET 2024 will begin from March 2024. After the NEET results, MBBS Admission for several colleges will start.
Events | NEET 2024 Dates |
---|---|
NEET 2024 Application Form Date | February 9 – March 9, 2024 |
Availability of Admit Card | Last week of April, 2024 |
Exam Date | May 5, 2024 |
Declaration of result | June 14, 2024 |
How to Become a Doctor Abroad
Pursuing Medicine abroad is one of the most sought-after professions, one does not have to worry much about the future if one becomes a doctor. The top countries to pursue MBBS abroad are Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia.
How to Become a Doctor in Canada
- MBBS in Canada is offered as a 3 to 4-year full-time Doctor of Medicine or MD degree.
- Although it is regarded as an undergraduate program in Canada, international students are required to have a bachelor's degree of 3 to 4 years to get entry into the MD program.
- Indian students must also appear for the MCAT and NEET exams to be eligible for admission to medical colleges in Canada. See: Exams to Study in Canada for International Students
- Students also need to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL (iBT) score of 86-100 to be eligible to pursue MBBS in Canada. Check: Top Medical Colleges in Canada
- The tuition fees for MBBS in Canada range between 26,000 CAD to 96,000 CAD per annum.
- After MBBS in Canada (equivalent to MD), Indian students must appear for the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) exam to enter the residency program and practice medicine in Canada.
Top Colleges to pursue MBBS in Canada
University | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
---|---|
University of Toronto | 2.17 Crore |
McGill University | 1.08 Crore |
McMaster University | 1.70 Crore |
Queen’s University | 2.04 Crore |
University of Sherbrooke | 62 Lakhs |
Memorial University of Newfoundland | 71.38 Lakhs |
How to Become a Doctor in the UK
- MBBS in the UK is offered as MB (Bachelor of Medicine) in BS, ChB, BCh, and BAO for a duration of 5-6 years. All four courses are equivalent to each other and deal with three major areas of medical sciences: medicine, surgery, and obstetrics.
- Indian students who are at least 18 years old with a 50 percentile in NEET, and 80% scores in class 10+2 with Chemistry and Biology as major subjects can apply for MBBS in the UK.
- Apart from these, students need to pass UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), or the GAMSAT test.
- An IELTS score of 6.5 or above is also required to demonstrate proficiency in English to be eligible for admission to top UK universities.
- The annual tuition fees to pursue MBBS in the UK range between 22,800 GBP to 52,000 GBP.
- Students have to register themselves at the General Medical Council (GMC) after completion of MBBS in the UK to practice as a doctor.
Top Colleges to Pursue MBBS in the UK
University | Average Fees (INR) |
---|---|
University of Oxford | 1.37 Crore |
University of Cambridge | 3.12 Crore |
University College London | 2.36 Crore |
Imperial College London | 2.74 Crore |
King's College London | 1.51 Crore |
University of Edinburgh | 1.37 Crore |
University of Manchester | 1.33 Crore |
University of Glasgow | 2.39 Crore |
Newcastle University | 1.68 Crore |
Queen Mary University of London | 2 Crore |
How to Become a Doctor in the USA
- MBBS in the USA is a postgraduate degree equivalent to MD for a duration of 4 years, unlike a bachelor's degree in India pursued as MBBS.
- Therefore, students must have a BS degree from a USA university to apply for MBBS in the USA.
- For Indian students to pursue MBBS in the USA, a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, chemistry or a medicine-related field counts as a pre-medical course.
- Apart from it, students need to have valid MCAT and NEET test scores and Proof of English proficiency via IELTS or TOEFL.
- After completion of an MD from the USA, you have to apply for 3-5 years of a residency program to be eligible to practice as a doctor.
- Thus, the total duration required to pursue MBBS in the USA ranges between 7 to 9 years.
Top Colleges to Pursue MBBS in the USA
University | Average Fees (INR) |
---|---|
Harvard University | 2.45 Crore |
Stanford University | 3.64 Crore |
John Hopkins University | 1.61 Crore |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 79.66 Crore |
Yale University | 1.90 Crore |
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) | 1.41 Crore |
Columbia University | 55 Lakhs |
University of Pennsylvania | 1.81 Crore |
Duke University | 1.87 Crore |
University of California, San Diego | 1.25 Crore |
How to Become a Doctor in Australia
- MBBS in Australia is offered as a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a 5-6 year undergraduate degree which is similar to MBBS in India.
- To be eligible to apply for MBBS in Australia, the students need to pass class 12 with Mathematics, English, Chemistry, or Biology as compulsory subjects.
- Students with a bachelor's degree can directly apply for MD in Australia. However, the top Australian universities ask for GAMSAT or MCAT scores for admission to MD courses.
- In addition, the students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language by having an IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 or a TOEFL (iBT) score of 80 to 100.
Top Colleges to Pursue MBBS in Australia
University | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
---|---|
University of Melbourne | 2.07 Crore |
University of Sydney | 3.42 Crore |
Monash University | 2.16 Crore |
University of New South Wales | 2.66 Crore |
University of Queensland | 1.76 Crore |
Australian National University | 1.82 Crore |
University of Adelaide | 2.47 Crore |
University of Western Australia | 1.73 Crore |
University of Newcastle | 2.06 Crore |
Deakin University | 1.38 Crore |
Benefits of Becoming a Doctor
A doctor is one of the most reputed professions worldwide. It offers various advantages that no other profession can offer. If you have a keen interest in science and medicine, then this profession is perfect for you as it offers various career benefits and opportunities to work in the field of sciences and medicine. Here, we have put forward some of the benefits of a career as a doctor.
- High Salary: Being a doctor is a noble job, but on the other hand, most of the aspirants are also attracted to the lucrative salary that the profession offers. The salaries of doctors are higher than any other profession all across the world. This is one of the major reasons why students after class 12 wish to become doctors.
- Positive Impact: Doctors save the lives of patients and work for the betterment of mankind, which in itself is highly rewarding and satisfying. Doctors are respected in society because of the work they do and this brings them the motivation and a positive impact to do better in their careers.
- Job Security: Because of the high employment rate, the profession of a doctor is probably the most secure one. As long as a doctor has his license, he can practice anywhere in the world and does not need to worry about losing his job.
- Continual Learning: This profession gives you the opportunity to learn every day. Every day you get to handle new and bizarre cases that have a huge scope of learning. There is no end to new cases in this profession and with every such case, your learning keeps on growing.
- Unique Experience: It is a unique experience to be a doctor and save the lives of patients, often doctors are said to give a second life to patients. The whole experience of becoming a doctor and treating patients is very intriguing so such experiences make every day an interesting challenge and positive experience.
- Career Progression: The career of a doctor has no full stop, completing the MBBS is just the beginning. After MBBS, they will have to do an internship and then they will be placed in some hospital as a permanent doctor. After becoming a doctor, they can also pursue post-graduation to become MS or MD. Then for the rest of their life, they can treat various patients with various complexities and full of challenges from which they can learn a lot of new things and research new and complex diseases. See: Govt Jobs for Doctors
- Most Respected Profession Worldwide: A doctor is one of the most respected professions in the world as it aims to serve people and save their lives. You learn to work with authority and people put faith in you which gives a motivation to work for the betterment of mankind.
- Travel Opportunities: While you do not have the option to choose your preferred work location or city, you have the opportunity to travel to different places when emergency cases or situations of pandemic and natural calamities happen.
Skills Required to Become a Doctor
In order to become a successful Doctor, one must not only prepare themselves by gaining all sorts of educational qualifications but simultaneously should enrich themselves with various skill sets. These skills will not only help them understand their profession but also help them gain an edge over the rest and excel. Some of the Skills to Become a Doctor are tabulated below for your reference
Solution Oriented Thinking | Physically Administering Treatments |
Analytical Thinking | Teamwork skills |
Prescribing Medications Correctly | Diagnosing Conditions |
Emotional intelligence | Assessing Symptoms |
Staying Up to date on Medical Research | Providing Follow-up Care |
Active Listening | Ability to Give Feedback |
Patience and Compassion | Time Management and Attentiveness |
Top Recruiters for Doctors in India
The doctors are mainly recruited in government and private hospitals, and some of the doctors choose to become a professor and teach in top medical colleges in India.
The top recruiters of doctors in India are mentioned below:
AIIMS | Apollo |
Fortis | Max |
BLK Super Speciality Hospital | Columbia Asia Referral Hospital |
Manipal Hospital | Lilavati Hospital |
Salary of a Doctor in India
The average starting salary of a Doctor is around INR 5.40 LPA. However, with a gradual increase in experience and Knowledge, the salary of a Doctor can go up to INR 1.17 Crore per annum. The salary of a Doctor is also dependent on the qualification, specialization, etc. The doctors practicing in Private hospitals can earn up to INR 5 L per month. The salary of a Doctor based on their specialization is tabulated below for your reference,
Specialization | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
---|---|
Cardiologists | 14.70 L |
Neurologists | 11.64 L |
Gynecologists | 10.80 L |
General Physician | 7.10 L |
ENT Specialist | 9.60 L |
Pediatrician | 9.60 L |
Oncologists | 9.45 L |
How to Become a Doctor: FAQs
Ques. How many years does it take for you to become a doctor?
Ans. It takes 5 years to complete the whole medical course MBBS, apart from that the preparation starts from class 10+2 onwards.
Ques. Is it hard to become a doctor?
Ans. It is not hard to become a doctor, it is very challenging to become a doctor. One has to put in some serious effort and time and study a lot to become a doctor. Practically, one also has to become very courageous to be able to become a doctor.
Ques. What should I do after 12th to become a doctor?
Ans. After the 12th, you will have to start preparing for MBBS, and after qualifying in the NEET examination, counseling will be done to allocate colleges to you according to the marks you attain.
Ques. How long it takes to get a doctorate degree?
Ans. It takes almost 4-6 years to get a doctorate degree. If someone is doing a Ph.D. then it might take up to 8 years to get the same. However, this time period depends on the program structure and the institute from where you pursue the course.
Ques. What is a Doctor's salary in India?
Ans. The average salary of a doctor varies from INR 3,00,000 to INR 80,00,000. This is the average starting salary, but it may vary depending on the designation of the doctor.
Ques. Which doctor has the highest salary?
Ans. Usually, all the doctors have more or less high salaries, but among all the doctors, the Surgeons usually have more salaries.
Ques. Can MBA be done after MBBS?
Ans. Yes. You can also do an MBA after MBBS because it is a graduation course. Although your MBBS degree would not be very helpful for doing MBA you are eligible to do MBA.
Ques. Can a poor student become a doctor?
Ans. The students must usually be intelligent, to crack through the entrance and get admission to govt colleges. But nevertheless, one can also become a doctor by studying in private colleges also which might not require any entrance exam marks.
Ques. What subjects to study to become a doctor?
Ans. After qualifying for the NEET, various subjects would be introduced, but at the 10+2 level, one has to study Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Ques. How can I earn money after completing MBBS?
Ans. You can start working for any hospital, or you may also start practicing at your own place to earn money right away.
Ques. Which year of MBBS is difficult?
Ans. Usually, the entire course of MBBS is tough, so there is no specific year that can be said is difficult. However, the difficulty level varies from one student to another depending on the subjects they like and dislike.
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