How to Become a Doctor after 12th: Career Guide, Courses, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Skills, Salary

Ahana Bhaduri's profile photo

Ahana Bhaduri

Content Writer

To become a doctor, aspiring candidates need to clear class 12 board exams with Physics, Chemistry and Biology from a recognised board. After class 12, they have to appear in the NEET exam to get selected for the MBBS course. MBBS is the most important course that students have to pursue to start working as Doctors in India. Apart from MBBS, there are many specialised courses that students can opt for after completing their MBBS degree. Some of the top courses include MD, MS, BDS, BHMS, BUMS, BAMS and MDS. CheckHow to Become a Doctor Without NEET

Experience, expertise and designation are some of the factors that can affect the salaries of doctors in India. The average annual Salary of a Doctor in India is INR 5.4 LPA with the highest salary being INR 17 LPA. The estimated monthly earning of doctors in India is between INR 40,730 to INR 41,885. AIIMS, Apollo Hospital, Max Fortis and Manipal Hospital are some of the top recruiters of doctors in India. A doctor at AIIMS with an experience of 1 to 6 years is earning up to 22 Lakhs per year. ReadTypes of Doctors

How to Become a Doctor after 12th: Quick Facts

Eligibility Class 12 with 50% marks in PCB/PCBM
Qualifications MBBS
Starting Salary (INR) 3 LPA – 6 LPA
Average Salary (INR) 7.4 LPA
Highest Salary (INR) 20.3 LPA
Top Recruiters Army Medical Corps, TATA Steel, Medanta, Indian Army, AIIMS, Apollo Hospitals

Eligibility to Become a Doctor after 12th 

The standard eligibility criteria to become a doctor in India after class 12 are explained in the following steps -

  • Students need to pass class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised board. It is important to have biology as one of the main subjects
  • Students have to appear in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam and qualify it to get admission to medical colleges for MBBS
  • The minimum age to appear for the MBBS program is 17 years
  • Students can start practising after MBBS, but they can also enrol for postgraduate courses for better career prospects. MD, MS. and MSc in Medicine are popular postgraduate courses
  • Students are required to undergo the compulsory one-year internship after MBBS to understand the basic working of the medical field and learn skills through hands-on procedures.

Qualifications to Become a Doctor after 12th 

Some of the general qualifications that are required for doctors include:

  • Education - Students need to have an MBBS degree to start practising medicine. They have to apply for Medical Practioner Number before opening a clinic or applying for jobs in hospitals.
  • Specialised PG Degree - After MBBS, students can apply for MD and MS courses to learn advanced practices in a particular medical speciality.
  • Certification/Diploma - Students can also opt for different certificate/diploma courses after MBBS in various specialities like paediatrics, gynaecology, surgery, etc learn skills.
  • PhD in Medicine - Students can go for a doctoral degree in medicine to specialise in research and academics. PhD programs generally last for three to five years. 

Steps to Become a Doctor after 12th 

There are many steps that have to be followed to become a doctor in India after class 12th. The steps to becoming a doctor are explained in the following points:

  • Complete Class 12 - Students have to clear Class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised board in order to be eligible to apply for medical entrance exams. They also need to have biology as one of their main subjects in the curriculum.
  • Apply for entrance Exams - After clearing class 12, students have to apply for entrance exams to get admission to medical colleges. NEET is the most common and popular entrance exam in India for admission into the MBBS course. Students can also appear in medical entrance exams conducted by colleges like JPIMER, AIIMS, Kasturba Medical College and Maulana Azad Medical College.
  • Complete MBBS Degree - Students have to complete the 5 years undergraduate course to become eligible to practice medicine in India. Upon completion of the MBBS, students can opt for speciality postgraduate courses.
  • Enrol in an Internship - Students are required to complete a mandatory 1-year internship program to receive their MBBS degree. Internship teaches the basic working of a medical institution to students as they develop skills by working with doctors. 
  • Registering with Indian Medical Register - Students who do not wish to pursue PG courses and start practising after MBBS have to get registered themselves with the Indian Medica Register. They have to first get registered with their state medical council followed by the Indian Medical Register to become fully functioning doctors. 
  • Apply for a Postgraduate Degree - Students who want to practice in a particular specification can continue their education after MBBS. They can enrol in master’s programs like MD, MS or MSc to get a specialised degree. Students also have an option of going for a PhD in medicine.

Medical Courses

MBBS is the major course that every aspiring student has to pursue and clear to become a doctor in India. Other medical courses available to students include MD, MS, BDS, BHMS, BAMS, MDS, etc. Students can pursue these courses after their MBBS can go up to a PhD degree. The details for the most popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Parameters MBBS MD BDS
Eligibility Class 12 with Biology MBBS Class 12 with Biology
Entrance Exams NEET NEET PG, JIPMER, AIIMS PG, PGIMER NEET
Top Colleges AIIMS, PGIMER, CMC Vellore DMCH, IMS Varanasi, Assam Medical College BHU, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Science, King George’s Medical University
Course Fees Govt: INR1628 - 20000 Private: INR 3,00,000 - 56,00,000 INR 10 L - 12 L INR 50,000 - INR 12 Lakhs
Average Salary (INR) 6 LPA INR 6 - 8 LPA 3 LPA
Top Recruiters AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, KIMS Hospital, Self Practice Apollo Hospitals, Medanta, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Straumann, ACE Surgical, MegaGen

Entrance Exams

There are many medical entrance exams that a student can appear for in India. NEET being the most important one, other exams include AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC, CMC Vellore MBBS Examination and AIPVT. The details for some of the top medical exams are mentioned in the following table.

Entrance Exam Application Deadlines Exam Dates Result Declaration
NEET February 9 – March 9, 2024 May 5, 2024 June 14, 2024

Top Medical Colleges

India has some of the best medical colleges for students to pursue an education in medicine and related fields. AIIMS New Delhi, CMC Vellore, BHU, KMC Manipal, JIPMER, King George’s Medical University, etc are some of the top colleges for medical studies in India. 

The details for top medical colleges are mentioned n the table below.

Name of the Colleges Location Average Fees (INR)
AIIMS New Delhi New Delhi 1,628
CMC Vellore Vellore 52,830
BHU Varanasi 13,410
KMC Manipal Manipal 17,80,000
JIPMER Pondicherry 14,920
King George’s Medical University Lucknow 54,900
St. John’s Medical College Bangalore 7,37,930
AMU Aligarh 45,690
Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi 4,445
Jamia Hamdard University New Delhi 18,30,000

Skills Required to Become a Doctor after 12th 

Becoming a doctor after class 12 requires dedication, hard work and a wide range of skills. While academic excellence is essential, there are several skills that are crucial to becoming a successful doctor. Some of the top skills that a doctor should have are mentioned in the table below.

Strong Communication Empathy and Compassion Problem-solving skill
Attention to detail Teamwork Leadership qualities
Emotional Intelligence Analytical Thinking Time Management

Benefits of Becoming a Doctor after 12th 

The profession of a doctor can be challenging and demanding, but it also comes with a wide range of advantages. Some of the benefits of becoming a doctor include

  • High earning potential: Doctor is one of the highest earning professions in the world. With experience and expertise, the earning can increase more with time.
  • Opportunity to make a difference: Doctors make a positive impact on patient's lives by treating them and helping them lead healthier and happy lives. 
  • Professional fulfilment: The ability to make people’s lives healthier can provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction. A doctor is also one of the most respected professions in the world.
  • Lifelong learning: Medicine is a constantly evolving field, and doctors have to keep themselves updated with all of the latest advancements and trends in the field of medicine.
  • Diverse career options: Medicine offers a wide range of career paths, from general practice to specialised fields, from private clinics to hospitals and from private institutions to government bodies, doctors are required everywhere.
  • Job security: The demand for qualified well-trained doctors is always high and the job outlook is very positive making it a stable and secure career.

Salary of a Doctor after 12th 

The average annual salary of a doctor in India is 5.4 LPA. A gradual increase in salary is seen as professionals gain more experience and expertise. The average starting salary of a doctor in India is INR 3.60 LPA with the highest salary being INR 17 LPA. 

The salaries for doctors according to different specialisations are mentioned in the following table. 

Designations Average Annual Salary (INR)
Neurologist 12 L
Gynaecologist 10 L
General Physician 7.2 L
Cardiologist 13.2 L
Pediatrician 12 L
Oncologist 28.3 L
ENT Specialist 11 L
Obstetrician 12 L
Ophthalmologist 10 L

How to Become a Doctor after 12th: FAQs

Ques. What are the industries that are paying the most to Doctors in India?

Ans. Government, Education and Training, Healthcare, Internet and Analytics and KPO are top-paying industries for Doctors in India,

Ques. Which cities in India are offering the best pay to Doctors?

Ans. New Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune are the best-paying cities for doctors in India.

Ques. What are the career options in the medical field if someone does not want to pursue a medical degree?

Ans.  Students can look for a career in physiotherapy, biotechnology, nursing, pharmacy, biomedical engineering, etc if they do not wish to pursue a medical degree but want to work in the medical field.

Ques. What are the top companies that recruit Doctors in India?

Ans. Indian Medical Corps, Indian Army, Medanta, Apollo, AIIMS, Manipal Hospital, etc are some of the top recruiters of Doctors in India.

Ques. What is the time duration of the MBBS course?

Ans. MBBS is a 5 years long course. If the one-year mandatory internship is considered, the full MBBS degree takes a total of 6 years to complete. 

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery [MBBS] : 94 answered questions

VIEW ALL

Ques. How much marks should I score in the AIIMS entrance exam to secure an MBBS seat in AIIMS Delhi?

● Top Answer By Muskan Shafi on 30 Mar 24

Ans. AIIMS Delhi doesn’t conduct its own entrance exam for MBBS, instead, it accepts NEET UG for admission to MBBS on an All-India basis. Being the top choice for medical aspirants in India for MBBS, AIIMS Delhi has an extremely high cutoff for all the categories. The marks required for securing a seat for MBBS at AIIMS Delhi vary each year depending on various factors such as the number of seats, the number of candidates appearing, the difficulty level of the exam, and the previous year's cutoffs.  To get a seat for MBBS at AIIMS Delhi, candidates from the general category must aim to score 710+ in NEET UG to be on the safer side for admission. Students from the general category must aim to have an All-India rank within the top 50 to have a sure chance for admission. For reserved categories such as EWS and OBC, candidates must aim to score above 690+ for admission to MBBS at AIIMS Delhi. SC and ST candidates should aim to score 675+ for admission to MBBS at AIIMS Delhi.  Candidates can also check AIIMS Delhi Cutoff in 2023 for MBBS for different categories to get an estimate about the expected cutoff rank in 2024: Category 2023 Closing Cutoff By Rank  General 57 EWS 258 OBC 247 SC 989 ST 1624 General- PwD 1018 OBC- PwD 20882 SC- PwD 77386 ST- PwD 145610Read more
2
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the total MBBS course fees in KMC, Manipal?

● Top Answer By Sonal Mishra, on 30 Sept 23

Ans. For the batch of 2023-24, the first installment is Rs.17.80 Lakhs. The remaining installments add up to Rs. 70,88,500. This includes tuition and other fees.  So, for your medical degree, you’ll be paying around Rs. 88,68,500. This is for Indian students. You will be paying the fees in 5 installments. You’ll also be paying a caution deposit of Rs.10,000 (refundable). For girls’ hostels, the cost is Rs. 1,30,500 per year, and for boys’ hostels, it is Rs. 1,25,500 per year.  This is the total MBBS course fee at KMC Manipal. Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. How is life as an MBBS student in JIPMER?

● Top Answer By Shreyansh Roy Singh on 21 Sept 23

Ans. The life of an MBBS student at JIPMER is quiet and tiring. Yet, they get to learn and experience new things every day. Their daily schedule looks like this  8 am to 11 am: Lectures 11 am to 1 pm: Anatomy dissection hours 1 pm to 2 pm: Lunch break 2 pm to 4:30 pm: Practicals In the evening some prefer playing basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, and badminton while others order just napping or hitting the gym. Some music lovers go to the band room to play out various symphonies and musicals. A few artist students spend their time participating or practicing for fine arts competitions. September brings in a huge crowd of students from different colleges attending Spandan. It’s a 7 day intercollegiate cultural literary and sports extravaganza that makes the monotonous life of JIPMER students a bit vibrant. October witnesses the Jipmer premier league ied teams of girls and boys. There is also Curie Day which is the annual girls' hostel day celebration. The hostel is open for boys as well and girls perform dance and sing. After all this enjoyment, the exams begin and students are reminded of their primary goal.  January is usually spent at home. In February, students go to Pune for the fest at AFMC -‘Silhouettes’. March brings in the tension of the annual university examinations and everybody can be seen surrounded by books. The seniors organize a wonderful Holi celebration- a cultural night followed by gulaal in the morning to ensure that students don’t succumb to the stress. With this the most happening year, the first year comes to an end.  The subsequent years bring in additional tasks such as Research projects, voluntary teaching, quizzing, etc. Read more
0
1
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. How is the life of an MBBS student at AIIMS Delhi?

● Top Answer By Sanjana Kapoor on 28 Sept 23

Ans. The life of an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) student in Delhi can be both challenging and rewarding. Delhi is home to several prestigious medical colleges and institutions, making it a popular destination for medical education. Here's an overview of what life as an MBBS student in Delhi may entail:  Academic Rigor: MBBS students in Delhi undergo rigorous academic training, The workload can be intense, with a significant amount of time spent in lectures, practical sessions, and studying. Clinical Rotations: As students’ progress in their MBBS program, they engage in clinical rotations where they gain hands-on experience in various medical specialties.  Extracurricular Activities: Delhi offers a vibrant cultural and social scene, and many medical colleges have active student clubs, cultural festivals, and sports events. PULSE is the biggest medical cultural festival in entire south-east Asia held at AIIMS Delhi.In April, AIIMS celebrates INFET, the intra-college annual fest Library and Research: AIIMS Delhi have well-equipped libraries and research facilities. Students have opportunities to engage in medical research projects alongside their studies. Mental and Physical Well-being: Balancing the demanding academic schedule with personal well-being is crucial. Many medical students face stress and burnout, so self-care, stress management, and seeking support are essential. Residency and Postgraduate Education: After completing MBBS, students often pursue residency programs to specialize in a particular medical field.   In summary, life as an MBBS student in Delhi can be both academically challenging and culturally enriching. The city offers a dynamic environment with access to top-notch healthcare facilities and educational resources. Read more
0
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. Which one is the best AIIMS or CMC Vellore for an MBBS?

● Top Answer By Akriti Banerjee on 21 Sept 23

Ans. One of my friends was in a similar dilemma. He considered the following points while making his decision  Most AIIMS undergraduates settle in the US or pursue higher education in top colleges in India while CMC graduates prefer CMC for their higher education only.  Students of CMC are required to do bonds in mission hospitals so their higher education gets delayed. But this instills in them a strong sense of community-oriented healthcare. They tend to work in remote places of India without any personal glory. An AIIMS student can hardly be seen doing community service. AIIMS graduates publish more when compared to CMC graduates. CMC students get better hands-on experience and hence fare better in terms of clinical and Surgical skills. Right from the second year, they start assisting postgraduates in clinical work.  If you are a non-Christian, it will be difficult to go through the entire training without a mission hospital Ultimately, make a choice based on your demographics, preferences, and goals in life. Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the fee structure of an MBBS at AIIMS Rishikesh?

● Top Answer By Abhinav Mishra on 28 Sept 23

Ans. The fee structure of AIIMS Delhi is mentioned below in tabular format: Academic and other fees Amount (in INR) Hostel and other fees Amount (in INR) Registration fee 25 Hostel rent 990 Caution money 100 Gymkhana fee 220 Tuition fee 1350 Pot fund 1320 Laboratory fee 90 Electricity charges 198 Student union fee 63 Mess security 500 - - Hostel Security 1000 Total  1628 Total 4228 Grand total: INR 5856 In addition to the INR 5856 levied over the course of 5.5 years, the students also have to pay a mess fee of INR 10,000 every three months. Also optional is that. We have the option to avoid mess and prepare our own meals.Read more
0
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. How do I get into CMC Vellore for an MBBS?

● Top Answer By Muskan Shafi on 30 Mar 24

Ans. Admission to MBBS at CMC Vellore is solely based on the score obtained by the candidates in NEET UG. CMC Vellore has two quotas for MBBS admission namely Government Quota (50%) and Management Quota (50%).  CMC Vellore MBBS Management Quota  50% of the MBBS seats at CMC Vellore will be filled up by the management based on NEET UG scores under three broad categories:  Open Category: Any candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply under this category based on merit.  Minority Network: Eligible Christian students can apply for MBBS under this category.  CMC Vellore Staff Quota: Children of eligible members of the staff of CMC Vellore can apply under this category.  CMC Vellore MBBS Government Quota  50% of the remaining MBBS seats will be filled by the State Government based on NEET UG scores in the given manner:  30% of the seats will be filled by the State Government based on NEET UG as per the government reservation policy.  20% of the seats will be for the candidates belonging to the Christian minority from the state strictly by the NEET merit list. Candidates under both categories have to first register for CMC Vellore MBBS admissions on its official website during the stipulated registration period. Once the NEET Results are announced, the candidates have to sign in to the registration portal and submit their NEET roll number, score, and All India rank. All the candidates applying for CMC Vellore MBBS   have to then mandatorily apply for counseling by the Tamil Nadu Selection Committee , Directorate of Medical Education. Only those candidates whose names will appear in the seat allotment lists released by the selection committee will be offered admission to MBBS at CMC Vellore.Read more
0
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. Why do AIIMS Delhi students get a very short percentage in an MBBS even though they are intelligent?

● Top Answer By Shree Gupta on 26 May 23

Ans. AIIMS Delhi is one of the most prestigious medical schools in India and is highly coveted among medical students. It boasts an extremely rigorous curriculum and high brand value. However, only a small batch of applicants is able to pass the MBBS exam. This is because the program is highly competitive and even the most genius minds sometimes fail to clear the exam. Intelligence alone cannot determine your success in medical school. As a medical student, you will need hard work, dedication, and also critical for success. The professor itself is very challenging and requires a great deal of dedication, commitment, and a strong desire to help others.Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. What happens at the first day in AIIMS Delhi for an MBBS?

● Top Answer By Ojas Reddy on 03 May 23

Ans. The first day at AIIMS Delhi for an MBBS student is generally filled with various orientation programs and formalities. Here's what you can expect on your first day: Reporting to the institute: You will need to report to the institute at the designated time and location, which will be communicated to you by the administration. You will be required to carry your original documents, admission letter, and fee receipt for verification. Orientation program: The orientation program is an essential part of the first day, where you will be introduced to the institute's faculty, staff, and infrastructure. The program will provide you with an overview of the MBBS curriculum, including the subjects and topics that you will study during the course. Campus tour: You may be taken on a campus tour, which will familiarize you with the institute's facilities, such as lecture halls, laboratories, library, hostel, and sports complex. Formalities: You will be required to complete various formalities, such as submission of necessary documents, filling up of admission forms, medical check-ups, and getting your ID card. Interaction with seniors: You may also get the opportunity to interact with senior MBBS students who can provide you with insights into the course and the institute. Overall, the first day at AIIMS Delhi is crucial for getting acquainted with the institute and its processes. It's important to attend all the orientation programs and complete the formalities as per the guidelines to start your MBBS journey on the right note.Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. Which academic books do the students of MBBS at AIIMS, Delhi and JIPMER use?

● Top Answer By Akriti Banerjee on 20 Sept 23

Ans. As an MBBS student at JIPMER, I am listing down the academic books followed over here- For Anatomy- Gray's Anatomy, Keith L. Moore, B.D. Chaurasia (before exams), difiore's Atlas of Histology, Langman’s Embryology. For Neuroanat, Snells and Vishram Singh, and Netter’s Atlas. For Physiology- Dr. G.k.Pal’s textbook and Guyton,for reference. For Biochemistry- Harper, Vasudevan, and the college practical manual. For Pharmacology- K. D. Tripathi and Lippincott. You can also read Dr. Gobind Rai Garg sir's book. For Pathology - Robbins, Tejinder Singh (Haematology). For Microbiology - Ananthanarayanan, Dr. Apurb Shastri. For Parasitology- Panikar. For Forensic - V. V. Pillai, Apurba Nandi For Ophthalmology - Parsons and Khurana For ENT - Dhingra For Psm - Parks For Medicine - Davidson, Harrison (only some topics), George Matthew, Kundu and Alagappan (for practical), Sethuraman (clinical examination) For Surgery - Bailey and Love’s Short Practise of Surgery, Manipal textbook, SRB textbook, Das and Makhanlal for practicals For OG - Sheila Balakrishnan and Dutta for Obs, Shaws and Lakshmi Sheshadri for Gynae For Pediatrics - O. P. Ghai (the standard but not all topics are updated), IAP and Nelson for recent topics and reference For Dermat - Dr. Thappa and Neena Khanna For Ortho - Apley, Maheshwari; John Ebenezer for clinics, Dr. Apurv Mehra’s textbook for quick review For Psychiatry - College handouts and George Matthew For Anesthesia - Bailey and Love’s For Pediatric surgery - Bailey and Love’s, Nelson This is the complete list of books that we read as MBBS students at JIPMER.Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Comments



No Comments To Show

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery [MBBS] Colleges IN INDIA

View All
1.63 K first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
56.33 K first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
Banaras Hindu University - [BHU]
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
UGC
13.41 K first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
70.89 L Total fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
54.9 K first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
1.02 L first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
25 L first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES