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MS vs MD: Comparison, Difference, Scope, Specializations, Admission, Jobs, Salary

MD is also known as Doctor of Medicine whereas MS is known as Master of Surgery. MS course is specially designed for those candidates who want to have surgical knowledge and expertise and possess the required skills whereas MD is a non-surgical course, but not wholly; there are some branches of medicine where surgical knowledge is required. 

MD Course focuses more on the areas of general medicine, such as prescribing drugs or medicine. In comparing scope, MS has a higher scope and higher salary benefits than an MD. Some MD specializations have surgery as a part of the syllabus. The choice between MS and MD comes after completing MBBS. Students should have proper research and understanding before choosing between MS and MD.    

MS vs MD: Course Highlights

The basic details of the course which will help in understanding the course and differentiate between the two are discussed below for your reference, 

Parameters Doctor of Medicine (MD) Master of Surgery (MS)
Duration 2 - 3 years 3 years
Fees INR 4,00,000 - 20,00,000 Per Annum INR 8,00,000 - 20,00,000 Per Annum
Eligibility Candidates must have secured a minimum of 50% in MBBS undergraduate and must have cleared NEET PG exam Candidates must have secured a minimum of 50% in MBBS undergraduate and must have cleared NEET PG exam
Domain of Study Physiology, Anatomy, Pharmacology, Radiology, Pathology, Forensic Medicine Cardiology, Neurology, Orthopaedic, , General Surgery, otorhinolaryngology
Entrance Examination NEET PG NEET PG, JIPMER- PG
Career Options Pediatrician, Obstetrician, Physician, Radiologists, Pathologist Cardiologists, Oncologist, Plastic Surgeon, Home Surgeon, Emergency Surgeon
Higher Studies Scope PhD in Medicine M.Ch in any specialization

Why take a PG course after MBBS?

Getting a higher and specialized degree will help the candidates to get a specialization in the medical industry. However, which course to pursue is completely the choice of the candidates. Let's see the difference between the two for helpful decision-making:

  • Demand- The demand for MD or MS graduates is higher than for MBBS graduates since they possess a higher degree of specialization. One would prefer to be treated by a doctor specializing in a certain field rather than someone with an MBBS. 
  • Career prospects- Although one appreciates an MBBS graduate, their value increases when choosing a certain specialization. With deep knowledge in a particular field, one’s career graph would become an upward trajectory. With an MBBS, a candidate will become a physician but with an MD or MS, one can become a specialist or a surgeon. 
  • Salary of doctors post-MBBS- There is a huge difference between the salary of an MBBS graduate and the salary of an MD or MS graduate. The salary of an MBBS graduate can go up to INR 1 Lakh per month in India but an MD specialist can earn up to INR 4-20 Lakh per month and an MS can earn up to INR 4-35 Lakh per month. 
  • Set up their practice- MD candidates can even set up their independent practice, and open their clinics. This allows them to become their boss and also earn good money. 

What is the difference between MS and MD? 

MD is a postgraduate medical course that helps students develop the ability to diagnose patients accurately and offer them the right treatment. Some of the MD specializations include Pediatrics, General Medicine, Radiology, Cardiology, Neurology, Dermatology, Oncology, etc. 

On the other hand, MS course is also a postgraduate course that can be pursued after completing MBBS which provides a deep knowledge in the field of surgery. This field includes patient care, seminars, clinical discussions, and supervised surgery. Some of the fields include Gynaecology, General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Urology, Neurosurgery, etc. 

Can a person who has done MD also pursue MS? 

Theoretically speaking, it is possible to pursue MS after MD but practically, no one does it. Although the person could legally practice in both specializations in India. Pursuing both degrees can be very demanding and time-consuming. Moreover, certain requirements and regulations while obtaining these degrees can vary from college to college. 

MS vs MD: Admission Process 

For an MD in India, the graduate needs to spend 3 years in medical college to study the specialization chosen by them. For an MS as well, the candidate needs to attend 3 years in medical college to learn about the specialization chosen by them. The minimum eligibility criteria for MD and MS is that candidates must have completed their MBBS from an MCI-recognized medical college. 

The candidate must also clear certain entrance exams like NEET PG, AIIMS PG, JIPMER, PGIMER PG, etc. to secure a seat in a medical college. The cutoff for different courses and specializations can vary. Post the clearance of the exam and the declaration of the result, the candidate will be called for further counseling and a college will be allocated based on the candidate's rank. 

Check:

MD Admission Process MD Entrance Exams

MS vs MD: Scope

Pursuing an MS or MD leads to career growth as it offers numerous scopes to healthcare and other medical-based research. By pursuing an MD program, candidates will be called specialists due to their specialization in the respective area. MD graduates offer scope in several fields such as medicine, defence, and pathology. Candidates can be employed as Chiropodists, Psychiatrists, anesthetists, Hospital administrators, General surgeons, Physicians, cardiologists, bacteriologists, etc. The average salary package of an MD graduate ranges between INR 7,00,000 - 15,00,000 per annum. 

Master of Surgery is high in demand and offers good scope and offers various job opportunities in both the private and government sectors. Candidates can be appointed as researchers, Consultants, Medical Coders, Cardiac surgeons, Pediatric surgeons, General surgeons, ENT surgeons, Orthopedic surgeons, Trauma surgeons, etc.

See Also:

MD Course Fees MD Course Duration MD Seats in India

MS Specializations vs MD Specializations

Medical Study is a wide field that offers numerous specializations in various streams. During MBBS, graduates are given insights into all the disciplines and during the MD and MS program, candidates can choose their specialization depending upon their interests. 

Check: MD Courses after MBBS

Some of the top specializations in both courses are tabulated below for your reference, 

MD Specialization Streams MS Specialization Streams
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Pathology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in General Medicine
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Microbiology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Pediatrics
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Anatomy
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Cardiology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Radiology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Pharmacology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in General Surgery
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in ENT
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Physiology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Biochemistry
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Community Medicine
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Psychiatry
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Radiodiagnosis
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Anaesthesiology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Forensic Medicine
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Dermatology
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Radiotherapy
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Neurology
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Orthopaedics
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in General Surgery
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in ENT
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Ophthalmology
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Anatomy
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in General Surgery
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in otorhinolaryngology
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Anesthesiology
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Ayurveda
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Physiology
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Microbiology
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Pharmacology
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Pediatrics
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Radio Diagnosis
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Neurosurgery
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in pediatric Surgery
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Plastic Surgery
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Urology
  • Master of Surgery (MS) in Physiology

MS vs MD: Duration and Entrance Exams 

The duration period in brief of both MD and MS courses and the exams conducting body are tabulated below for your reference, 

Name of Exam Duration Course Name Conducting Body
NEET PG 3 hours MS/MD National Board of Examination
AIPGET 3 hours MS/MD National Testing Agency
AIIMS PG 3 Hours MS/MD All India Institute of Medical Sciences
JIPMER PG 3 hours MS/MD Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research
NIMHANS PG - MS/MD National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
PGIMER PG 3 hours 30 minutes MD/MS Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research

MS vs MD: Jobs and Salary

The average salary of a MS graduate ranges between INR 7,00,000 - 10,00,000 whereas an MD's salary is low compared to MS graduates. Salaries vary depending upon the sector they work in and their job role. The salary of both MS and MD are tabulated below for your reference, 

MD Job Profile Average Salary (INR) MS Job Profile Average Salary (INR)
Physician 10,00,000 Orthopedic Surgeon 10,00,000
Pathologist 12,00,000 Cardiovascular Surgeon 20,00,000
Radiation Oncologist 30,00,000 Neurosurgeon 30,00,000
General Pediatrician 9,00,000 Cardiothoracic Surgeon 40,00,000
Psychiatrist 12,80,000 General House Surgeon 10,00,000
Healthcare Consultant 20,00,000 Invasive Cardiologist 11,40,000

MS vs MD: FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between MD and MS?

Ans. MD is a postgraduate medical course that helps students develop the abilities to diagnose patients accurately and offer them the right treatment, whereas, MS is also a postgraduate course that can be pursued after completing MBBS that provides a deep knowledge in the field of surgery.

Ques. Is it common to pursue MS after MD?

Ans. It is not common to pursue a Master of Surgery (MS) after completing an MD (Doctor of Medicine). MD and MS are both postgraduate medical degrees, but they typically represent different specialities and careers. MD degrees are for non-surgical specialties (such as internal medicine, pediatrics, or dermatology). MS degrees are focused on surgical specialties (such as general surgery, orthopedic surgery, or ophthalmology).

Ques. Which doctor earns more: MD or MS?

Ans. Specialists in both medical and surgical fields can draw higher salaries compared to general practitioners. The earning potential for doctors in India can vary based on several factors, including their specialty, experience, location, and the type of practice (public sector vs. private sector). Overall, both MD and MS doctors have the potential to earn substantial incomes, but the exact earnings can vary widely depending on individual circumstances.

Ques. What is the Master of Surgery (MS) course duration?

Ans. The total duration of the MS course is 3 years. And there are a total of 6 semesters in MD.

Ques. Does MD and MS have Math as a subject?

Ans. No, MD and MS do not require Math as a subject. MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery) are postgraduate medical degrees for medical science and clinical practice. So, these postgraduate degrees focus on advanced medical knowledge, clinical skills, research methodology, and specialization in a specific field of medicine or surgery.

Ques. Do I need to pass an exam to get admission in MD or MS?

Ans. Yes, a candidate must have cleared the entrance examination for pursuing MD or MS from their choice of college. 

Ques. What is the minimum age of MD or MS?

Ans. The candidate must have completed their MBBS from a recognized university and passed the respective entrance examination. There is no such age criteria for pursuing MD or MS. However, in general, candidates must be at least 21 years to enroll in postgraduate medical programs, but specific age requirements can vary. So, it's essential to check the eligibility criteria specified by the medical colleges or universities offering MD or MS programs for accurate information.

Ques. What are entrance exams for admission to MD or MS courses?

Ans. The entrance exams for admission to MD or MS courses are:

  • NEET PG
  • AIIMS PG
  • JIPMER
  • PGIMER PG

Ques. What is the average fees of pursuing MD or MS in AIIMS?

Ans. The average fees of pursuing MD or MS in AIIMS is around INR 3000 - 5000 per year.

Doctor of Medicine [MD] : 7 answered questions

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Ques. How is the life of medicine PG in AIIMS Delhi? Is this the best for MD medicine?

● Top Answer By Shivam Negi on 30 May 23

Ans. The exact word to describe the life of a PG student in AIIMS Delhi is ‘hectic’. The MD Medicine program is quite challenging and tiring. A typical day in the life of a first-semester resident doing Medicine at AIIMS can be described as follows- You will have to wake up as early as 6:30 am and reach for work by 7. Managing to have your breakfast is a great achievement. You will have to reach your war and start sampling assigned by your seniors before 10 AM as no samples are accepted after 10. Next, you will start preparing for the clinical rounds and go through files and reports and be ready to present them to the consultant during rounds. These rounds are very tiring and sometimes extend till the afternoon. However, it's from these rounds that you will be gaining hands-on experience and learning new things every day Once the rounds end, you'll have to do tasks related to what you learned from the rounds. This may involve doing a bone marrow/ lumbar puncture/ pleural tap etc or fetching some reports. In the evening you will be going through the morning reports and discussing and planning the future plan for your patient. During this, you have to write notes in the clinical files. After this, it will be dinner time that marks the end of your work routine.  Additionally, there will be OPDs every third day, and Radio-conferences, clinical case discussion classes, Journal clubs, etc. Once you become a senior, things will be easier and you will have more time to study and involve yourself in academic activities. Coming to your second question, well AIIMS Medicine is considered the best in the whole of India. What makes it the best is its extremely qualified faculty, genius seniors, and excellent infrastructure. The institute mostly deals with diagnostic dilemmas referred from everywhere and this offers a fun and fulfilling experience to students in taking their case to a diagnosis. The real-time experience you will be getting just in the first year is undoubtedly the best one could ask for. Another major highlight of AIIMS is its diagnostics. You can get almost any investigation/ radiological procedure to back up your diagnosis.  Overall, as an MD student at AIIMS, you will surely experience a hectic life but the gratitude of your patients will leave you with a feeling of satisfaction. Read more
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Ques. Which is better: An integrated five years course into DM neurology (NIMHANS) or completing my MD in general medicine and then specializing in DM neurology?

● Top Answer By Bidita Ghose on 30 Sept 23

Ans. In my opinion, it’s best to complete an MD in medicine first rather than pursuing DM Neuro directly after MBBS.  It is so because M.B.B.S. students receive minimal clinical exposure and therefore their interest in a particular field might not be genuine. They might later regret their choice.  An integrated program is a 5-year program that requires a lot of commitment. So, if you go for a field you are not interested in, you will be wasting 5 years of your life. Even if you are sure of your interest in neurology, you may not actually like it when you start working. That being said, it's better that you do MD in medicine, have first-hand exposure to all the specialties, and then choose one for you.  People often choose integrated courses so as to save one year of education. However, they fail to recognize the risks involved.  Ultimately, unless you love neurology passionately and have enough exposure in the same, go for direct DM, else completing MD would be the safest bet. Read more
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Ques. What is the number of MD/MS seats at PGIMER Chandigarh?

● Top Answer By Praniti Ranjan, on 23 Nov 21

Ans. The number of MD/MS seats at PGIMER Chandigarh changes every year, every session, according to your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, Sponsored, etc.) and branch or department. This is because for every session admission to the vacant seats is based on the previous pass-outs in that branch or department. It also depends on the demand of a particular work in that department and other factors. Check the JSP Page website - pgimer.edu.in before every session to get the exact number of seats available in that particular session. This session there are a total of 148 seats and 33 of them are for the General category students.Read more
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Ques. Is it worth it to give up MD general medicine for MD emergency medicine at AIIMS Rishikesh? I am interested in both.

● Top Answer By Akrit Kakkar on 30 May 23

Ans. That depends on what you value most in a career. Both MD General Medicine and MD Emergency Medicine are highly respected and challenging specializations, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. General Medicine is a broad field that covers the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions. For this, you need to have a strong base in medical science, along with excellent diagnostic and problem-solving skills. MD Emergency Medicine, on the other hand, focuses on the immediate diagnosis and treatment of acute and life-threatening medical conditions, such as trauma, heart attacks, and stroke. For this, you need quick thinking, excellent clinical skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. Personally, I feel that you should have knowledge of both emergency and non-emergency situations because each and every disease has the complications that make it an emergency. However, academically you wouldn't get the recognition of a full-fledged medicine specialist. You can not opt for Superspeciality courses other than critical care.Read more
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Ques. What are the fees for Md at KMC Manipal?

● Top Answer By Samarth Deb on 28 Sept 23

Ans. Here are the detailed fees for MD at KMC Manipal MD Anaesthesiology 2188000 MD Anatomy 495000 MD Biochemistry 495000 MD Community Medicine 1260000 MD Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy 2870000 MD Emergency Medicine 2650000 MD Forensic Medicine 495000 MD General Medicine 2539000 MD Hospital Administration 1710000 Blood Transfusion 1960000 MD Immunohematology & MD Microbiology 1410000 MD Paediatrics 2870000 MD Palliative Medicine 1410000 MD Pathology 1960000 MD Pharmacology 1210000 MD Physiology 495000 MD Psychiatry 2188000 MD Radiodiagnosis 3398000 MD Radiotherapy 1990000 MD Respiratory Medicine 1990000 Hope this helps you!Read more
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Ques. Which is better for an MD in general medicine, KMC Manipal or Mangalore? I got allotted in KMC Mangalore. Should I need to upgrade?

● Top Answer By Pratik Parikh on 28 Sept 23

Ans. My friend was an MBBS Student at KMC Mangalore, so here are some highlights of the institute The clinics are well-equipped and the patient lod is also decent. Enjoys a good reputation among the medical colleges in India. It’s bad one private hospital, KMC Attavar, and one Super specialty hospital, KMC Jyothi Circle The workload is a lot because the hospital is completely managed by residents and interns. You will be responsible for everything from OPD to file maintenance to rounds to sample collection.  Students are required to be proficient in each case early in the morning as they will be enquired about every patient that they are allotted You have to update treatment and paperwork, attend class, and be ready to present short bedside cases. PG students have to attend a theory class in the morning and in the afternoon twice a week, there is short group teaching, with the presentation.  Students need to learn basic Kannada without which you won’t be able to interact with patients.  The hostel facilities are great and Mangalore is a city of students so it won’t be difficult to find good food at low prices, beaches, bars, clubs, malls, etc Mangalore is a port city so it's better connected than Manipal.  There is a dual rating system wherein the professors rate the students, and students rate the professors. This helps the college to keep a check on the quality of education and improve energy year. It will definitely be a great choice if you choose KMC Mangalore.Read more
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Ques. How is the MD Medicine course from KMC Manipal? Is it worth leaving a government seat in a tier 2 city?

● Top Answer By Sonal Mishra, on 28 Sept 23

Ans. Yes, it’s definitely worth leaving a government seat in a tier 2 city to pursue an MD Medicine course from KMC Manipal. Here are some benefits you will avail yourself if you choose this You won’t have to serve any kind of bond It’s an international campus which has a diverse crowd from all over the world so the campus facilities are excellent It has around 3000 beds and excellent facilities like infertility care, Chest & allergy care, Medical genetics & gastroenterology. Students are hence exposed to excellent techniques. It enjoys good connectivity via Mangalore airport around 1.5 -- 2 hours from Mangalore. KMC Manipal has an excellent academic culture and sees results in every competitive examination .  Hope this helps you!Read more
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