MD Course

MD or Doctor of Medicine studies the causes, effects, and diagnosis of diseases and medicines in detail. It is a super specialty advanced degree programme with a duration of 3 years. MD course is majorly taken up by doctors in order to advance their research degree in their respective fields. The minimum eligibility criteria to apply for the MD degree course is to pass postgraduate degrees like MS or PG Medical Diploma degrees with at least 55% marks in aggregate and complete a mandatory 1 year internship period. The course curriculum of the MD course syllabus includes; researching, conducting experiments, developing different medicinal solutions, and learning other treatment processes for certain diseases. 

Admission to the MD course is done on the basis of the marks secured by the applicants in entrance exams like AIIMS PG, NEET SS, and INI CET, etc. Students pursuing an MD degree will be eligible for a stipend from the government. Some of the top colleges for MD Course are AIIMS, TATA Memorial Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, etc. The average course fee varies from around INR 1.3 LPA. Students who graduate from the MD course become eligible to secure high-paying job profiles such as Medical Pathologists, Bacteriologists, General physicians, Chiropodist, Anaesthesiologists, Obstetricians, etc. 

Doctor of Medicine or MD is a postgraduate level course. The duration of the course is three years. Although the course fees differ in every college and university, on average the course costs Rs. 10-15 Lakhs for the entire duration of the course. One can opt for MD after completion of their MBBS with a minimum of 50% aggregate. The admission is done on the basis of the NEET PG examination. Find below the highlights of the MD (Doctor of Medicine) Course.

While anybody who wishes to pursue a course in Doctor of Medicine can do so by fulfilling the basic eligibility requirements for the same, there are several reasons as to why a Doctor of Medicine Course is a better career path in comparison to others. 

• Students pursuing a Doctor of Medicine Degree have higher chances of gaining an in-depth knowledge for practical training, along with intricate details of the professional field. 
• With the ever growing demand for professionals in the healthcare sectors all over the world, the more the number of specialized professionals, the better scope for individuals to grasp a holistic professional growth at an increased pace. 
• Students pursuing a Doctor of Medicine Degree can easily grab opportunities abroad with lucrative packages and better career growth options.
• The scope for a Doctor of Medicine is expected to increase with the development of science and technology.

A Doctor of Medicine degree and Doctorate in Medicine degree are often confused with one another. The primary difference between an MD and a DM degree is that the former is a postgraduate degree and the latter is a super speciality degree available after completing a postgraduate degree. Tabulated below are the major differences between MD and DM degrees to draw a clear picture of what each degree offers.

There are no separate courses in MD, as MD is in itself a medical course. One can opt for general MD or choose among the plethora of specializations available for Doctor of Medicine in India. Listed below are the Doctor of Medicine specializations offered in India.

• MD in Cardiology
• MD in Clinical Hematology
• MD in Clinical Pharmacology
• MD in Endocrinology
• MD in Gastroenterology
• MD in Neonatology
• MD in Neuro-Radiology
• MD in Pulmonary Medicine
• MD in Rheumatology

To pursue a Course in Doctor of Medicine, all aspirants will have to meet the eligibility criteria for the course as provided by the concerned authorities. The eligibility criteria for MD and its specializations in India are as follows: 

• Candidates must have a valid MBBS degree from one of the recognised medical colleges or institutes in India or abroad.
• Admission to all medical courses in India is done on the basis of scores obtained in medical entrance examinations, i.e. NEET. Since MD is a PG degree, candidates must have a NEET-PG score/ rank, in order to take admissions in one of the MD specializations in India.
• The minimum aggregate score requirement in the qualifying examination will vary from college to college. Therefore, all candidates are advised to visit the eligibility criteria outlined by the college of their choice.
• Candidates must complete one year of residency to be eligible for MD.

Required Skills for Doctor of Medicine (MD)

There are certain skills that make one the best MD for their patients. Patients should feel confident while approaching the Doctor with their problems and trust the MD to treat them to the best of their ability. 

Although NEET PG is the most popular exam for admission to general MD in India, there are a few other entrance exams held for admission into specific institutes. The scores from NEET PG are the basis of admission for all medical institutes expect a few colleges like JIPMER for which the candidates will have to sit for the college-specific entrance exams. Listed below are the MD entrance exams in India.

There are a lot of MD specializations available in India and candidates can choose them as per their interest and aptitude. Some of the popular ones amongst the vast availability are listed below.

• MD in Cardiology - Cardiology is a specialization in MD dealing exclusively with the disorders of the heart. The aim of the course is to detect and treat congenital heart defects, coronary artery diseases, heart failure, valvular heart diseases and electrophysiology.
• MD in Clinical Hematology - Clinical Hematology is a practice and research based specialization in MD. It deals primarily with ailments pertaining to blood and its components.
• MD in Clinical Pharmacology - MD in Clinical Pharmacology deals with the healing agents as the course aims to equip candidates with knowledge of drugs and their uses. The course includes research-based studies about illnesses and the drugs they react to.
• MD in Endocrinology - Endocrinology, in simple words, deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases of the endocrine system. They study the endocrine glands in depth and specialize in detecting and treating diseases of these glands, hormones, and long term management of endocrine diseases. 
• MD in Gastroenterology - For the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the digestive tract, MD in Gastroenterology course equips the candidates with in-depth knowledge of the digestive tract.
• MD in Neonatology - MD in Neonatology course offers advanced training to doctors working in Neo-Intensive care units. The course aims to produce medical specialists who are able to diagnose, treat, and take care of the newborn with appropriate care and safety.
• MD in Neuro-Radiology - Neuroradiology is a specialization MD course designed to train doctors in advanced imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases related to the nervous system
• MD in Pulmonary Medicine - MD in Pulmonary Medicine course deals with the study of prevention, cause, and treatment of problems in lungs and the respiratory tract. During the program, the candidates learn about diagnostics and treatments for respiratory diseases.

The candidates who are interested in pursuing an MD degree from one of the medical colleges in India will be required to first meet the eligibility criteria for MD. 

• The admissions to the course are based on the scores or ranks obtained by aspirants in the NEET-PG examinations that are conducted for almost all PG medical courses in India. The NEET-PG admissions for MD will be based on the counseling process which will be conducted by the respective bodies throughout India. 
• All candidates are first required to sit for the NEET-PG examination in the year in which they wish to join the course. Once the NEET-PG results are released, the MD admission process will begin with the release of the merit list.
• As per the NEET-PG selection process, the applicants will be offered admission to MD courses through the NEET-PG counseling process. Students will be asked to select the course and the college at which they would wish to pursue the course. 
• Candidates will be allotted colleges and courses depending on the merit list of NEET PG, the vacancies available in the respective course and college, and the candidate’s preference.

The MD course fees differ from college to college. MD course fees are relatively lower in government colleges and universities and higher in private medical colleges and institutions. The course fee for a general Doctor of Medicine differs from the specializations of MD. The average fee structure for MD courses is tabulated below.

The Doctor of Medicine or an MD degree consists of 3 years of dedicated education in the specific field of your choice. The medical colleges that offer the degree, divide the 3 years into 6 semesters, with 2 semesters every year. During the 3 years or 6 semesters in MD, students will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge and experience in the field and specialization of their choice. Tabulated below is the MD syllabus for all the years.

First Year:

Second Year:

Third Year:

There are many popular MD colleges in India offering general Doctor of Medicine as well as its specializations. Although the admission is done on the basis of merit in the NEET PG and other college specific entrance exams, cumulated below is a list of popular government and private colleges offering MD courses.

The state and city-wise distribution of some of the most prestigious medical institutions in India that offer MD Couse to their students is mentioned below

West Bengal

There are many prestigious colleges and universities in West Bengal that are popular for their MD course programme. Some of the names are mentioned below

Kerala

Some of the famous medical institutions and research centers that offer MD courses in Kerala are

Delhi NCR

MD colleges in Delhi NCR state are listed below

Madhya Pradesh

Some of the popular medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh that offer different MD degree programmes to their applicants are mentioned below:

Some of the top MD private colleges in India are mentioned below in the table, along with their NIRF Rankings:

Some of the top MD government colleges in India are mentioned below in the table, along with their NIRF Rankings:

The industry of medicine and healthcare is an ever-expanding and growing field, where the number of jobs available is more than the number of qualified professionals. Like many other master's level courses in other disciplines in the industry, a postgraduate course expands the MD career options and job prospects.

After completing an MD degree in one of the specializations, the job options in MD will only increase. While there are many MBBS graduates, there is a dearth in the number of skilled and qualified professionals specializing in different fields of medicine.

Here are some of the sectors under which an MD graduate will be able to complete their course.

Jobs After Completing Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Some of the lucrative designations after completing MD degree are:

After the completion of one’s MD degree, the job profiles that will be available to the candidates will be immense and the growth opportunities will also be innumerable. The need for a specialist in the industry will allow MD graduates to earn an average initial salary of INR 3 - 6 lakhs, which is highly dependent on the chosen specialization as well as the place of employment. Like every other job and career path, the increase in experience and knowledge in the specific industry will lead to better career opportunities and packages.

Salary After Doctor of Medicine (MD)

MD salary in India differs according to the MD specialization one opts for. On average, an MD fresher is offered an average annual package of INR 3 lakhs which can go up to INR 20 lakhs. The MD salary also varies depending on the place of work. The government entities pay significantly lower annual packages than private entities but provide their employees with other amenities. The table below contains the average salary for MD specializations.

Top Recruiters of Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Students graduating with a Doctor of Medicine Degree have great chances of grabbing lucrative job opportunities in the medical field. Not only within the country but a Doctor of Medicine Degree is equally recognized and given importance abroad as well. The Medical Council of India certifies and recognises the course as of pivotal importance, offering admission across the best Institutes in the country for the same. 

Some of the top recruiting agencies of Doctor of Medicine graduates are mentioned below:

Core Industries of Doctor of Medicine

The future scope after Doctor of Medicine (MD) in India is huge and ever-growing, as the constant demand for the same has evidently increased in both the government as well as the private sectors in the recent past. An MD is sought in India by Pharmaceutical companies for research and development wherein MD graduates are sought as educators in medical institutions, and are also preferred in administration roles as well. Thus, the scope of MD in India extends from employment in hospitals as Resident Doctors, Surgeons, Clinical Specialists And Department Managers to employment in private entities as research specialists. 

After successfully completing a Doctor of Medicine, students can opt for high-paying career prospects which are better in the long run. The scope of MD after completing the course program are mentioned below in detail:

• Government Jobs: After completing a course in Doctor of Medicine, candidates can apply for MD jobs in the government sector which is not easy to crack, however, offer a good future prospect. These government jobs offer to pay a hefty salary and come along with many additional benefits as well. Candidates would be pleased to know that a lot of Doctor recruitment exams are conducted by UPSC where MD qualified doctors can certainly get an upper hand in terms of eligibility and admission. 
• Private Jobs: While the ever-increasing demand as well as shortage of medical practitioners has persisted since a long period of time, a large number of Doctor of Medicine jobs in the private sector has opened up several career opportunities for MD specialized doctors by conducting frequent hiring processes and offering lucrative salary packages upon joining.
• Clinical set up: MD graduates also have an option to set up their own clinic, having their own rules made on a convenience basis. The beginning might not be great but once they cope through that then undoubtedly their future can be deemed safe and secured.
• Non Governmental Organization (NGO): MD graduates may also opt for seeking a career in NGOs if their beliefs are aligned with that of the respected organizations. It is important to note that not all jobs in NGOs are unpaid, and some of them offer really high-valued salary packages to the best fit candidates.
• Higher Studies: This is never an option for a Doctor of Medicine degree holder, it is always a choice. Having said that, it does not at all mean that this is not a good option. It is great if you decide to study further and add more feathers to your cap. However, candidates must keep in mind that their super-specialty option will depend upon the specialization that they opted for while pursuing MD.

One can also opt to study MD abroad. Studying MD abroad gives the candidates certain benefits like placement in countries abroad and better average annual packages. Although getting admission in the colleges abroad can be tricky as there are no common entrance tests, one has to apply to the colleges individually while keeping in mind all the requirements. Check below the highlights for studying MD abroad.

Top Colleges for Doctor of Medicine (MD) Abroad 

There are a number of colleges abroad offering Doctor of Medicine courses. Tabulated below are some top MD colleges abroad that students can consider for taking admission.