Career in Medicine
Last updated: April 20, 2026
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MBBS, or Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery, is a professional degree awarded on successful completion of the course. The aim is to provide quality education and training to help students contribute to the growing field of health and medicine. Governed by the Medical Council of India, the course spans four and a half years, followed by a mandatory one-year internship.
Eligibility for MBBS
Normally, the minimum eligibility is 10+2 with physics, chemistry, and biology, scoring at least 50% marks. English is a mandatory subject for eligibility in many universities and colleges. However, AIIMS requires 60% for general category candidates and 50% for SC/ST candidates. This is not the only criterion for admission. Students must also qualify in an entrance examination to secure a seat in any medical college. The main entrance exams are NEET and the AIIMS exam.
Some universities, like Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, restrict candidate age to between 17 and 25. AIIMS has set a lower age limit of 17.
Why Choose a Career in Medicine
Students interested in learning the basics of the human body, its functions, and the diagnosis and treatment of disease should select this course. The structure develops a mindset for diagnosing and treating various ailments. After this course, graduates become active participants in the community, always ready to help people through medical practice.
Duration of MBBS Course
The course duration is five and a half years, which includes a one-year rotating internship. Courses are usually divided into nine semesters of six months each. Apart from regular coursework, students must participate in ward and out-patient departments, gaining real-life experience.
Except for three medical colleges in India (AIIMS, JIPMER, and AFMC), admission to all government and private medical and dental colleges is done solely through the NEET examination. In India, the central government quota for government medical colleges is 15%, while the state government quota is 85%. Both quotas are admissible only for students who have written the proper examination.