MBBS vs. BAMS: Which Medical Path Suits You Best?

Selecting a career option in the medicine field is a crucial decision for students who have just passed their 12th standard, as various options are present to choose from, such as MBBS, BAMS, BSc, BDS and many more. Among all the courses, MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) are the top choices for the students.

For entering into undergraduate level medicine related courses after the completion of 12th standard, students are required to pass National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), conducted every year by National Testing Agency. Even after completing the NEET examination, students face difficulty while choosing an appropriate course for them. 

In this article, we will break down the importance of both the courses (MBBS vs. BAMS) and their speciality along with some other key features, which will help to decide the appropriate career course as per the interest of the students.

MBBS

MBBS or Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery is an undergraduate degree course in modern medicine in the field of Allopathic medicine. The MBBS is a 5.5-year course that involves one year of mandatory internship as a part of the course duration, which helps the students to understand the real-life challenges and learn to implement their theoretical knowledge accordingly, and to provide a practical approach to the course.

The MBBS course involves Pre-clinical, clinical, and surgical subject areas that cover Radiology, General Medicine, Casualty, and Psychiatry, among others. In India, MBBS is considered one of the prestigious courses in the medical field.

After receiving the MBBS degree, students can also choose higher degree courses (MD or MS) in various specialisations as per their interest surgery, gynaecology, cardiology, paediatrics, and many more. 

BAMS

BAMS or Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery is a medicine-related degree course that focuses on traditional ayurvedic medicine and modern medicinal approach, covering natural healing, herbal medicine, ayurvedic treatments, etc. The course is also known as the Ayurvedic doctor course.

BAMS is a 5.5-year course that includes a necessary internship of 1 year, which is provided to the students by the university to go for medical practice under expert supervision and guidance.

For specialised Ayurvedic practice, it is recommended that a higher degree be procured after the completion of the BAMS course. However, a BAMS graduate can practice as an Ayurvedic doctor just after completing their degree without higher specialisation.

MBBS Vs BAMS

After getting a detailed overview of both courses, it was stated that the MBBS course revolves around modern medicine, whereas the BAMS course focuses on Ayurvedic and traditional medicine. Below are the key differences between the MBBS and BAMS degrees for a better understanding of both courses.

According to the above-mentioned details, it is specified that an MBBS degree provides a higher salary package, whereas the BAMS degree comes with a lesser salary package. However, both courses are undergraduate-level courses offering various career opportunities in their respective fields.

BAMS courses may have fewer career options than the MBBS course, but both courses have equal importance in medicine. The MBBS degree is accepted across the globe, whereas the BAMS degree is only accepted in countries where Ayurvedic medicine and practice are permitted.

Some of the top colleges in India for MBBS

Countless colleges and universities offer a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in India. Below are some of the top institutions and colleges that are highly recognised for their medical courses, especially the MBBS degree.

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences

• Christian Medical College

• Madras Medical College and Government General Hospital, Chennai

• Maulana Azad Medical College

• King George`s Medical University

• Lady Hardinge Medical College

• Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

• University College of Medical Sciences and others

Some of the top colleges in India for BAMS

Here is the list of some of the top colleges in India that offer the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) course.

• Banaras Hindu University

• National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur

• Gujarat Ayurved University

• Institute of Medical Sciences

• Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research

• Bundelkhand Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, and many more.

MBBS Vs BAMS Eligibility

To be eligible for admission in the MBBS or BAMS course, students must complete the following criteria as mentioned:

• Students who are willing to apply for the MBBS or BAMS course are required to complete the NEET exams.

• Must have a minimum of 50% in their 12th standard with PCB as the main subject. For the BAMS, PCB subjects are Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, whereas in MBBS, students can either choose Biology or Biotechnology as core subjects.

• Students applying either for the MBBS course or the BAMS course must attain a minimum age of 17 years at the time of filling out the application form.