From MBBS Full Form to Career – Everything You Need to Know!
Discover the MBBS Full Form, course details, eligibility, fees, top colleges, salary, and career options in this complete MBBS guide for aspiring doctors.

Students who are dreaming to wear the white coat and saving the lives of people, should began their journey with an MBBS degree. If this is your dream too, then reading this article is worth reading to you. In this article we have covered MBBS full form, course structure, fees, eligibility, syllabus, top colleges, career opportunities, and every single detail which might excites you to pursue your dream career to become a doctor.
MBBS Full Form
Let's began with understanding the Full form of MBBS in medical terms. The MBBS Full form is Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. MBBS full form in Latin is "Medicinae Baccalaureus and Baccalaureus Chirurgiae" from where it originates.
MBBS is an undergraduate degree of medical education in India and other countries. The undergraduate course is designed to provide necessary knowledge and clinical skills to become doctors.
Read More: Total AIIMS Seats in India
MBBS vs Other Medical Degrees
Students must holds an MBBS degree to obtain a medical practitioner license. Although there are other medical courses options as well like BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) and BAMS (Ayurveda) and BHMS (Homeopathy) can also be selected.
MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS: Which Medical Path is Right for You?
It is very important to choose the right medical career for students. They must know their interest, goals, and the field they want to practice. Here’s a comparison to help you decide:
Aspect | MBBS | BDS | BAMS |
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Main Focus | Allopathic/Modern Medicine | Dental Science | Ayurvedic Medicine and Healing |
Course Duration | 5.5 years (including 1-year internship) | 5 years + 1-year internship | 5.5 years (with internship) |
Entrance Requirement | NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) | NEET | NEET (may vary by institute) |
Career Opportunities | Physician, Surgeon, Specialist Doctor | Dentist, Orthodontist, Oral Surgeon | Ayurvedic Doctor, Wellness Consultant, Therapist |
Students should choose the medical program that suits best with their passion and purpose.
Read More: From MBBS to MD: The Difference Between NEET UG and PG
Other Medical Abbreviations & Full Forms
Abbreviation | Full Form |
---|---|
BCG | Bacillus Calmette-Guérin |
ADHD | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder |
RBC | Red Blood Cells |
NEET | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test |
UTI | Urinary Tract Infection |
ECG | Electrocardiogram |
COPD | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
KUB | Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder |
ANS | Autonomic Nervous System |
PG | Postgraduate |
ENT | Ear, Nose, and Throat |
ICMR | Indian Council of Medical Research |
CNS | Central Nervous System |
STD/STI | Sexually Transmitted Disease / Infection |
BMI | Body Mass Index |
MS | Master of Surgery |
HBsAg | Hepatitis B Surface Antigen |
HIV | Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
IVF | In Vitro Fertilization |
JIPMER | Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research |
ESR | Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate |
NTA | National Testing Agency |
OPD | Outpatient Department |
WBC | White Blood Cells |
EEG | Electroencephalogram |
NMC | National Medical Commission |
AIIMS | All India Institute of Medical Sciences |
BMR | Basal Metabolic Rate |
AIDS | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome |
CT Scan | Computed Tomography Scan |
DNA | Deoxyribonucleic Acid |
HCG | Human Chorionic Gonadotropin |
NCERT | National Council of Educational Research and Training |
COVID-19 | Coronavirus Disease 2019 |
UG | Undergraduate |
LFT | Liver Function Test |
MMR | Measles, Mumps, and Rubella |
SARS | Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome |
ADHD | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder |
WHO | World Health Organization |
TB | Tuberculosis |
DNA Fingerprinting | Deoxyribonucleic Acid Fingerprinting |
BP | Blood Pressure |
RNA | Ribonucleic Acid |
MRI | Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
CBC | Complete Blood Count |
PNS | Peripheral Nervous System |
HPV | Human Papillomavirus |
ATP | Adenosine Triphosphate |
OCD | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
MD | Doctor of Medicine |
ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
PYQ | Previous Year Questions (commonly used in prep context) |
MBBS Course Duration and Structure
MBBS course is a combination of both classroom learning and hands on training. Students are prepared well during their academic journey and internship to face the real world challenges. Check out the MBBS course breakdown below:
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Total Duration: 5.5 years (4.5 years academic + 1 year internship)
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Academic Phase: Divided into 9 semesters
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Internship: Rotational postings in various departments like Surgery, Medicine, Pediatrics, etc.
MBBS Eligibility Criteria
If you are dreaming to become a doctor, you must fulfill the eligibility criteria for an MBBS course in India. Below are the eligibility conditions to be satisfied by students to enroll for an MBBS program:
MBBS Eligibility Criteria in India
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Educational Qualification: He / She must complete their 10+2 or equivalent degree with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as main subjects. Passing in each subject individually is required.
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Minimum Marks: He / She must score atleast 59% marks in total in all the compulsory subjects. The minimum marks required for SC / ST / OBC candidates is 40% in total while it is 45% for UR and PwD category candidates.
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Age Criteria: He / She must attain the age of 17 as of 31st December of the admission year. So far now, there is no maximum age limit to apply for MBBS program, although there is possibility to change in near future.
- Entrance Exam: Along with the educational qualifications, candidates must also qualify the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) organize by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Read More: Can I Get AIIMS with 650 Marks?
MBBS Eligibility Criteria in Other Countries
The eligibility conditions to study MBBS program in abroad vary by country. Unlike India, NEET is not required to qualify to enroll for MBBS program in abroad. Most of the international medical universities accept 10+2 students who completed courses with subjects in Physics and Chemistry and Biology.
International medical universities demand their students to reach specific academic scores which normally fall between 50% and 70% based on particular university policies. The requirement of English fluency exists in international medical universities whose assessment can include IELTS or TOEFL examinations.
Indian students who want to practice medicine in their country must pass NEET but most nations do not organize any admissions tests. The required candidate age falls between 17 to 25 years. Selected universities and some institutions require candidates to pass either virtual tests or enrollment interviews.
MBBS Admission Process
The admission process to enroll for an MBBS program is centralized and merit based. It is entirely on the basis of NEET rank. If a student fails to qualify in the NEET exam, he / she must attempt the NEET paper again to get admission for MBBS program. Qualifying in the NEET exam is a must to get admission for MBBS program in both government and private medical colleges in India. Check out the MBBS admission step by step process below:
1- Qualify in the NEET UG Exam: All students dreaming to become doctor must clear the NEET exam to get admission fro an MBBS program. A total of 720 marks paper is given to aspirants to solve and those who scored above the qualifying marks will reserve their seat for MBBS program. However, passing the NEET exam with higher marks increase the chances of getting admission to top medical colleges in India.
2- Counselling: Those lucky candidates passing the NEET exam will further register their names for the counselling sessions. There are two main types:
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All India Quota (AIQ): 15% of seats in all government medical colleges are reserved for AIQ. It is administer by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC).
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State Quota: Under this 85% of the medical seats in state government colleges are reserved for students residing in the respective states. They conduct their counselling based on NEET scores. Private colleges or deemed universities also conduct their own counselling following the NEET guidelines.
3- Document Verification and Seat Allotment: After reviewing the preferences of students seats are allotted to deserving candidates based on their rank, category, and choice. Students must present all the required documents for verification. The general documents demanded by the authorities include:
- NEET Admit Card and Scorecard
- Class 10 and 12 Mark Sheets and Certificates
- Identity Proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport)
- Domicile Certificate (for state quota)
- Caste/Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photographs
Once the verification of documents is done, students must report to the allotted college to confirm admission and pay the admission fee.
Read More: How Many Marks are Required in NEET for MBBS?
MBBS Course Fees
MBBS Course fee in government colleges are very less as compared to private Medical colleges and Deemed universities in India. To get an admission in the government college, students must pass the NEET exam with high scores. Check out the general MBBS Course fee below:
- Government Colleges: INR 20,000 to INR 1 lakh/year
- Private Colleges: INR 10 to 25 lakhs/year
- Deemed Universities: INR 20 to 30 lakhs/year
In addition to the tuition fee the other costs include hostel fees, books, and equipment. However, Scholarships and loan options are available for deserving students.
MBBS Syllabus & Subjects
Pre-clinical (Year 1) |
Para-clinical (Year 2) |
Clinical (Years 3 & 4) |
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Note: Practical exams and viva voce are the main parts of the curriculum.
Top MBBS Colleges in India
Getting admission to the top MBBS Colleges in India is very tough. Students must achieve top AIR rank to enroll for MBBS program in the best medical colleges. Check out the top 5 MBBS Colleges in India:
- AIIMS Delhi
- Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune
- Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi
- Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
Career Options After MBBS
- Postgraduate Studies: MD/MS or Diploma in various specialties
- Government Jobs: UPSC CMS, State PSC, Railways, etc.
- Clinical Practice: Work in hospitals or start your own clinic
- Alternative Careers: Medical research, teaching, hospital administration, medical writing.
MBBS Salary in India
The salary range of an doctor in India is different based on the experience, sector, specialization, and area. Here's a breakdown of the MBBS salary in India:
- Internship Stipend: ₹15,000 – ₹30,000/month (varies by state/institution)
- Fresh MBBS Graduate: ₹30,000 – ₹60,000/month
- Government Sector: Junior Doctor: ₹50,000 – ₹80,000/month, Senior Specialist: ₹1.5 – ₹2 Lakh/month
- Private Hospitals: ₹60,000 to ₹3+ Lakhs/month (based on experience and hospital)
- Clinic Practice: Earnings vary widely; successful practitioners can earn ₹5+ Lakhs/month
- Other Roles: Teaching, research, medical administration also offer competitive packages
Related: Doctor Salary in India
MBBS Abroad
Nowadays, students are preferring to study MBBS abroad because of the high competition and limited government medical seats in India. There are several countries like Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, China, Kazakhstan, and Georgia which offers affordable fees for MBBS. Furthermore their admission process is simple and qualifying in the NEET exam is also not required. However, if they wish to practice in India later they still need to clear NEET UG.
Related: Can You Study MBBS Without NEET in India and Abroad?
Students who clear their MBBS abroad must pass the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination), a required licensing exam administer by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to be eligible for medical practice in India. Now let's discuss the pros and cons to make you understand the MBBS Abroad better:
Pros of Studying MBBS Abroad | Cons of Studying MBBS Abroad |
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Lower tuition fees compared to Indian private colleges | Language barriers due to native medium of instruction |
No entrance test in many countries (NEET-UG still needed) | Different disease patterns and clinical exposure |
Global exposure and multicultural learning environment | Tough FMGE exam with low pass percentage |
Modern infrastructure and globally updated study | Limited hands on clinical practice in some institutions |
Challenges related to cultural differences and climate adaptation |
Tip: Students must well research the medical universities, medium of instruction, FMGE passing rate, and living conditions before choosing to study MBBS in other countries.
FAQs About MBBS
Q: Is MBBS very tough?
Yes, it requires dedication, but you can have the MBBS degree with consistency.
Q: Can non science students apply for MBBS program?
No, only PCB stream students are eligible.
Q: What if I don't clear NEET?
You can consider allied health sciences or prepare again.
Conclusion
MBBS Full Form may be simple but the path to clear the medical program needs strong determination and consistent hard work. It is not impossible but hard to clear. With the right preparation and proper guidance, one can turn their dream to become a doctor in reality.
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