UPSC CMS vs NEET PG - Which is the Best Option after MBBS?

UPSC CMS vs NEET PG - Which is the Best Option after MBBS? Choosing the right path after completing MBBS is a critical decision that affects the professional journey of a medical student. There are many options, but two of the most prominent options stand out, and they are UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG). Both pathways offer unique opportunities and challenges, catering to distinct aspirations within the medical field. The NEET PG 2024 Exam was successfully conducted on August 11, 2024, in two shifts. The same was previously scheduled to be held on June 23, 2024.

In this article, we will delve into the comparative analysis of UPSC CMS and NEET PG, exploring the intricacies of each examination, the career prospects they unlock, and the factors to consider when students are making this crucial decision of which course to pursue after earning a degree in medicine. Whether your ambitions lie in public service through government medical roles or specializing in a specific medical discipline, understanding the pros and cons of UPSC CMS and NEET PG is important for making an informed choice that aligns with your professional goals.

Factors to Consider While Choosing Between NEET PG and UPSC CMS After MBBS  

Before you move further scouring through the pros and cons list, here’s something you should know. Priorities. Responsibilities. Needs. Aspirations. These are not just random adjectives thrown together but major deciding factors. What works for you might not work for others. 

So, we are not going to hand you an answer. It is more of a self-exploration journey. And if you are not aware of what things to consider while making a decision then this list will help you. Happy surfing!  

1. Do You Want to Continue Studying?

Fortunately or unfortunately, the more degrees you have after your name the more prestige you get in society. But that should not be a deciding factor. What should be is your interest in continuing your education and specialising in a particular field. It goes without saying that MD/ MS has a better ring to it than MBBS when added after your name. But getting employed in your early twenties sounds more empowering than later twenties. So, take your sweet time in figuring out your preference. 

2. What Kind of Life Do You Want?    

Administrative services or private clinic? Fixed working hours or not? Authority over your work or not? What is your call? Think. Read about your options and then decide. Take it from someone who has been there, if you are not living the kind of life you had in your mind, the job satisfaction would not be very satisfactory. 

3. What is Your Salary Expectation?

Although government jobs come with financial security and additional perks, the salary is fixed. Whereas in private jobs or businesses, there’s no limit to how much you can earn. So the question is, are you looking for high financial stability with a fixed salary or not necessarily a stable income, but with no limit.   

4. Where do You Want to Work?

It is an important question, which can also be related to the second point. Have you always know where you would be working or the location of your job does not worry you a lot? The answer will help you decide whether you want a government job or your own clinic. 

5. What are Your Family Needs?

Your family needs someone to take over the financial needs as soon as possible. You want to have regular income to get your family's needs quenched. 

OR

You have a financially stable family with no pressure to provide them anytime soon. You are free to explore further and build something of your own. 

What is your situation? Figure that out and make a decision.   

NEET PG vs UPSC CMS After MBBS - Pros and Cons

Now that you are aware of major factors that you should consider while deciding between UPSC CSM and NEET PG, here’s a list of pros and cons that you must check.

UPSC CMS Application Process

The mode of the application process for admission is online mode and students need to pay the application fees via net banking, credit card, or debit card. 

There are two parts of the application form which need to be filled in two parts. The first part of the application form for the UPSC CMS candidates is where students need to register themselves and they need to fill up basics with details such as father’s name, category, name, etc. The second part of the application contains details such as selecting the mode of payment, selecting the exam centre, and the final submission of the application form by the candidates. 

Details such as the Aadhar card needs to be filled up during the process of filling out the application form. Candidates who do not have an Aadhar card can make use of identity proof such as a Driving Licence, passport, voter ID, PAN card, etc. candidates belonging to the General and OBC categories need to pay INR 200 as application fees, and PH, females, ST/SC candidates need not make any payment. Candidates must be very careful while filling out the application form since it cannot be edited after the final submission is over. 

Here are the steps to fill out the application form:

The UPSC CMS application form needs to be filled out in two parts:

UPCS CMS Registration Form- Part 1

This part of the application form requires candidates to fill out basic details like name of candidates, mother’s name, father’s name, educational background, phone number, etc, and submit the application form. 

UPSC CMS Registration Form- Part 2

At this stage of the application process, candidates need to log in with their id and password and then move on to filling out the second part of the application form. The second part of the application form requires candidates to select any one mode of payment, exam centre, and then upload scanned copies of their photograph and signature. 

Photograph and Image Specification:

Check the specifications required for uploading the scanned photograph and signature:

Payment of application fees specifications

Candidates can refer to the table below to know about the modes of payment that are available in NEET and UPSC CMS. The mode of payment for NEET 2024 is online mode only. 

What are the documents applied at this stage of application?

• Addhar card or any identity proof with a photograph
• Scanned photograph and signature
• Card details required for payment of fees
• An active email id

Application fees

Check out the fees for different categories and gender:

NEET PG Admission Process

NEET PG Counselling 2024 will be conducted for all the states, UT and for all relevant institutions post the successful conduct of the NEET PG 2024 Exam on June 23, 2024. MCC conducts the counselling on the basis of all India for 50% quota seats. 

The seat allotment results will be posted soon. Following the announcement, admission will be granted on the basis of fulfillment of all the eligibility criteria. 

Candidates need to register themselves on the website of MCC in order to take part in the counselling process. It is also necessary to get the NEET PG Cut off marks for 2024 in place for taking part in the counselling process. 

NEET PG Counselling 2024 Schedule

Here is a list of dates for the NEET PG counselling events:

NEET PG 2024: Counselling Procedure

The procedure of counselling is stated below:

Step 1: Registration for Counselling

• Go to the official website of MCC.

• Register yourself for the process of counselling

• Password generated during the time of registration needs to be saved

• Students are then required to pay the counselling fees which are INR 1000 (for AIQ/Central Universities UR candidates) and INR 5000 for all deemed university candidates.

Aspiring candidates are also required to pay the tuition fees which will be refunded if no seats are allotted to students. Here is a brief on the tuition fees:

• Candidates appearing for AIQ/Central University UR counselling- INR 25,000

• Candidates belonging to the reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/PH) are required to pay INR 10000, while deemed university candidates need to pay INR 2,00,000. 

Step 2: Choice filling and choice locking

After the registration process is over, candidates are required to fill in the choice of subjects along with their choice of colleges or institutions in the order of their preference. 

• After the choices are filled in, it can only be modified before the modification is carried out. 

• When the phase of choice locking, it is important to lock the choices of aspirants and also get a printed copy of the submitted choices. 

• If candidates are not locking their choices, then they will be automatically locked in. 

• Candidates are free to choose as many choice as per their preference. 

Step 3: Seat allotment 

• Once the choice filling is over, candidates can move ahead with the process of seat allotment.

• The seats that are allotted on the basis of choices filled by candidates, the number of seats available and the category to which candidates belong to. 

• As various rounds take place, results are declared on the website. 

Step 4: Reporting 

• Once candidates are allotted seats, they will be required to join their respective allotted colleges or courses within the given time period.

• After the last date of admission, no further admissions will be entertained.

Step 5: State Quota Merit List

Seats under the state quota in various private universities are filled up on the basis of NEET PG result. Many factors are taken into consideration when the state quota merit list is prepared such as categories, sub-categories, final eligibility, state category rank and various other reservation policies. However, there is no reservation policy for offering admission to candidates. But seat reservation policies are in place for different categories.

NEET PG: Important Instructions

Here are some important instructions for the NEET PG exam:

• For all deemed and central universities, there are three rounds of counselling and a final mop-up round that takes place at the university or institute level for stray vacancies. 
• Since 2018, students hailing from the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are also eligible to apply for All India Quota seats.
• Candidates who did not register themselves in the first round of counselling can apply for counselling in the second round.
• Candidates who are applying for both AIQ and Deemed Universities are only required to pay the higher fees of INR 5000 which is for the deemed universities.
• In cases of any discrepancy in the firm of spellings in documents, candidates are required to carry proof (an affidavit/undertaking) that states that those documents belong to the same person.  

NEET PG: Documents required on the day of counselling

It is crucial for candidates to note that they do carry all these documents with them when the process of counselling begins:

• NEET PG 2024 Result 

• NEET PG 2024 Rank card

• Clas 10 and 12 certificate and results

• Birth certificate as a proof of date of birth

• MBBS/ BDS degree certificate or provisional certificate

• Internship certificate

• Category certificate for whomever is applicable

• Proof of identity

• Permanent or provisional registration certificate issued by the MCI or the State Medical Council.  

Good Luck!