MBBS

The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is the primary professional undergraduate degree required to become a doctor of modern medicine in India. As of 2026, the course structure is undergoing a transition with the integration of the National Exit Test (NExT).

1. Key Course Highlights

• Total Duration: 5.5 Years.

   

   

  • Academic Study: 4.5 Years (divided into 9 semesters).

     

     

  • Internship: 1 Year of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).

     

     

• Regulatory Body: National Medical Commission (NMC).

   

   

• Outcome: Upon completion and clearing the exit exam, graduates are registered as “Medical Practitioners” and can use the prefix “Dr.”

2. Eligibility & Admission (2026)

• Academic: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB), and English.

   

   

• Minimum Marks: 50% for General, 40% for SC/ST/OBC in PCB aggregate.

   

   

• Entrance Exam: NEET-UG is the mandatory and only entrance exam for all medical colleges (Government, Private, and Deemed).

   

   

• Age: Minimum 17 years by December 31st of the admission year; no upper age limit.

   

   

3. Academic Structure (Phases)

The curriculum is divided into three professional phases:

• Pre-Clinical (Phase 1 – 1 Year): Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry.

   

   

• Para-Clinical (Phase 2 – 1.5 Years): Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, and Community Medicine.

   

   

• Clinical (Phase 3 – 2 Years):

  • Part 1: ENT, Ophthalmology, Community Medicine.

  • Part 2: General Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology.

4. The Exit Strategy: NExT (National Exit Test)

Starting for recent batches, the NExT exam is replacing the final university exams and the NEET-PG entrance.

• NExT Step 1: A theoretical, computer-based exam held after the final year. Qualifying this is necessary to start the internship.

   

   

• NExT Step 2: A practical/clinical exam held after the completion of the 1-year internship. Qualifying this is mandatory to receive a permanent registration license to practice in India.

   

   

5. Compulsory Service & Bonds

Most state government colleges require students to sign a “Service Bond.”

• Rural Service: Depending on the state, graduates may need to serve in rural areas for 1 to 5 years.

   

   

• Penalty: If you choose to skip this service, you must pay a bond penalty ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹30 lakh, depending on the state (e.g., Delhi recently introduced a 1-year bond/₹15L penalty for the 2025-26 session).

Comparison of Medical Degrees in 2026