C.A.Q

A holistic medical system in which the body natural system of self- healing is focussed upon, Homeopathy today is widely considered to be the
country third largest medicinal branch after Allopathy and Ayurveda. TheBachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) course, conducted over a duration of five and a half years (inclusive of one year of internship) provides students with in-depth training on treating individuals with homeopathic medicines, comprising highly diluted substances mainly in liquid or tablet form which carry no side effects. BHMS graduates have the option of becoming private practitioners, pursue specializations in Paediatrics and Psychiatry or work in the field of drug formulation and drug safety with pharmaceutical companies.

BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery) is a fulltime fiveb and a half years long undergraduate program under the Siddha system of medicine, believed to have originated in Tamil Nadu. Siddha medicine focuses on seven clements of our body which control the psychological andphysiological functions. These include saram (plasma), cheneer (blood),
ooun (muscle), kozhuppu (fat), clumbu (bone), moolai (nerve) and in thiriyam (semen), which are regulated by three components – vatha (air), pitha (fire or heat energy) and kapha (water). Siddha medicine is oriented towards keeping these elements in balance. Graduates can practise as Siddha Doctors in Government Hospitals and Primary Health Centers, especially in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Regulated by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), a Bachelor in Unani Medicine and Surgery degree, or Kamil-e-Tib-o-Jarahat enables one to specialize in Unani, a Perso-Arabic form of alternative medicine widely practiced in Mughal era and based upon the teachings of Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen. The course duration comprises
four and a half years of academic training followed by one year of compulsory rotatory internship. Taught in Urdu and English, the course can be pursued through distance education as well and enables graduates to practise as Unani Hakims. Graduates also have the option of specialising in upto 14 disciplines like Moalijat, IlmulQabalat, TahaffuzwaSamajiTibb, IlmulAdvia, IlmulSaidla as part of their MD or MS.

Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (BVSc and AH) is a five-and-a-half years long course for students interested in the pursuit of veterinary sciences, a field of study concerned with the morphology (form), medical care and treatment of animals and birds which includes diagnosis and prescribing treatments for animals as well as
handling of scientific breeding of livestock. Vet professionals are not only required in the main veterinary sector but also in a lot of allied fields like poultry, animal products technology and more. A graduate can also opt to pursue a Masters of Veterinary Sciences (MVSc) degree in Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Surgery and Radiology among other specializations.

Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) is a four-year undergraduate degree course which trains students to become authorized pharmacists. Students aretaught to dispense medications to monitor patients' health, prescribe over- the-counter drugs, review physicians' orders and manage pharmaceuticals. They must have the skills of communicating effectively regarding the potential side effects, safety instructions, expiry date and the general advice related to over-the-counter medicines and prescribed drugs to patients.

B.Pharm graduates can work in hospitals, private medical shops, clinics, private hospitals, start their own consultancies and work in offline online pharmacies. They can also go on to pursue Master and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy. Undergraduate admissions are through entrance exams conducted by the respective state while the post graduate admissions are through one common exam.

The BAMS course comprehensively covers the history of Ayurveda, Sanskrit and Samhita, PadarthaVigyana (Ayurvedic Philosophy), RachnaSharira (Anatomy), KriyaSharira (Physiology), CharakaSamhita, ShalyaTantra (general surgery and parasurgical techniques), ShalakyaTantra (ENT, eye and dentistry), KaumaraBhritya (Paediatrics) and even Yoga as
the main subjects. Dissertations are a compulsory part of the course.

A.The BHMS course covers Anatomy, Histology, Embryology and Homeopathic Medicine in the beginning, followed by complex subjects like pathology, parasitology, forensic medicine and surgery in the later semesters. Students also acquire in depth knowledge of homeo therapeutics, which is taught with the help of homeopathic applications in Gynaecology, Surgery and Medicine.

Including basic Tamil and Communicative English, the BSMS course introduces students to Siddha MaruthuvaAdippadaiThathuvangalumVaralarum (History and Fundamental
Principles of Siddha Medicine), UyirVedhiyal (Bio-Chemistry), Nunnuyiriyal (Microbiology), UdalKoorugal (Anatomy), UdalThathuvam (Physiology), NoiNaadal (Pathology), Sat tam
SarnthaMaruthuvamumNanjuMaruthuvamum (Forensic Medicine and Toxicology) and Iruvai. TholMaruthuvam (Surgery including Dentistry and Dermatology) over the course of four-and-a-half years.

A.The BUMS course covers Arabic and MantiqWaFalsafa, KulliyatUmooreTabiya (Basic Principles of Unani Medicine). Tashreeh-ul- Badan(Anatomy), Munateul-aza (Physiology).IlmulAmraz and Sareeriyat (Pathology & Bed side clinic), Tahaffuzi-o-SamajiTib (Social and Preventive Medicine), Amraz-e-Ain, Uzn.AnafwaHalaq (Ophthalmology & ENT) and IlmulQabalaNiswanwaAtfal (Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Paediatrics).

The BVSc AH course covers Veterinary Anatomy; Veterinary
Physiology, Veterinary Biochemistry, Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary
Microbiology, Veterinary Pathology, Animal Nutrition, Livestock
Production Management, Livestock Products Technology, Animal Genetics
and Breeding and Veterinary Medicine as the core subjects,

TheB.Pharm course will acquaint students with Pharmaceutical
Analysis. Remcdial Mathematics Biology pharmacognosy.Pharmaceutical
Microbiology.Pathophyslology of Common Diseases.Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industrial
Management, in addition to projects and dissertations in these arcas.

Until 2017, admissions to the BAMS, BSMS, BUMS and KIMS courses were carried out on the basis of merit lists prepared by various states or universities after they had conJucted their own cntrance examinations. From 2018 onwards, admissions to all these courses at ll India and state level in all colleges are through NEET.

In 2017, a major change introduced to the admissions and counselling for veterinary courses was in the decision of the Telerinary Council of India (VCI) to not conduct the All India Pre-Veterinary Test (AIPVT) and instead conduct counselling on the basis of NEET scores for the 15% All India Quota seats. Llowever, from 2018 onwards, admissions to all BVSc courses across the country are on the basis of NEET scores alone.In 2017, a major change introduced to the admissions and counselling for veterinary courses was in the decision of the Telerinary Council of India (VCI) to not conduct the All India Pre-Veterinary Test (AIPVT) and instead conduct counselling on the basis of NEET scores for the 15% All India Quota seats. Llowever, from 2018 onwards, admissions to all BVSc courses across the country are on the basis of NEET scores alone.

The admission process for B.Pharm courses is separate for cach state and university. State-level entrance exams are conducted by many states for admission to B.Pharm courses, but it is not compulsory for colleges based in that state to necessarily accept the scores obtained by candidates in those state level entrance exams as these institutions have the option to conduct their separate entrance examinations and follow Theirown admission processes. For instance, TNPCEE (Tamil Vadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination) is a state level combined entrance examination conducted by Tamil Vidu. but only a few colleges in Tamil Nadu accept TNPCEE scores for B.Pharm admissions.

Since the BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS and BVSc courses are part of the broader medicine domain and expected to come under the ambit of NEET from 2018 onwards, it will be compulsory for interested candidates to have completed their Class 11 and Class 12 with Biology or Biotechnology as one of the main subjects in addition to Physics and Chemistry. How(ver, PCM students will be eligible for admissions to B.Pharm Courses as Biology is not a compulsory subject for the same.

After MBBS, students can pursue MD, MS and PG Diploma courses across a multitude of specializations. MS, which is the postgraduate degree in General Surgery, and MD, which is the postgraduate degree in General Medicine, are both three year courses. In MD, the specializations include Obstetrics &Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Neurology and Anaesthesiology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Radio Diagnosis and Pathology among other subjects while MS specializations include Paediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Urology, Cardiac Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Orthopaedics. Basically, MD holders can practise as physicians while MS holders can practise as surgeons. Diploma courses, which last for two years, include specializations like Anaesthesia, Community Medicine, Sports Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Child Health, among others. Interested candidates can apply for the MD, MS and Diploma courses through NEET PG, conducted annually by the National Board of Examinations or through AIIMS PG, JIPMER PG and PGIMER. There is also the option to apply for Diplomate of National Board (DNB) course specializations, the exam for which is also conducted by the NBE. While the CAREER DOCTOR contains intricate details about the important medical examinations in the pages that follow, this section will serve as an appropriate introduction to all the basic but essential details medical aspirants should know before starting their preparations.

After MBBS, students can pursue MD, MS and PG Diploma courses across a multitude of specializations. MS, which is the postgraduate degree in General Surgery, and MD, which is the postgraduate degree in General Medicine, are both three year courses. In MD, the specializations include Obstetrics &Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Neurology and Anaesthesiology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Radio Diagnosis and Pathology among other subjects while MS specializations include Paediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Urology, Cardiac Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Orthopaedics. Basically, MD holders can practise as physicians while MS holders can practise as surgeons. Diploma courses, which last for two years, include specializations like Anaesthesia, Community Medicine, Sports Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Child Health, among others. Interested candidates can apply for the MD, MS and Diploma courses through NEET PG, conducted annually by the National Board of Examinations or through AIIMS PG, JIPMER PG and PGIMER. There is also the option to apply for Diplomate of National Board (DNB) course specializations, the exam for which is also conducted by the NBE. While the CAREER DOCTOR contains intricate details about the important medical examinations in the pages that follow, this section will serve as an appropriate introduction to all the basic but essential details medical aspirants should know before starting their preparations.

MBBS course comprises 4 academic years divided into 9 semesters (of 6 months duration each), followed by one year compulsory rotating internship. So, a candidate will be able to get the MBBS degree in 5 to 7. years provided he/she passes all the exams and completes the internship.

BDS program is of 4 years duration plus l year compulsory rotating internship. The final 2 semesters of the course comprise a specialization in dentistry and hands-on practice for the profession. So to get a BDS degree, it takes 5 years.

Well, BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery), BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery), BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery), B.V.Sc& AH (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry) are some courses that are also widely opted. These mostly pertain to alternative medical courses to allopathy which is MBBS and BDS. Admissions are on the basis of NEET UG but the courses are completely different in every sense.

NEET UG is the entrance test for most of the MBBS and BDS degrees offered by various central, state and private institutes approved by the Medical Council of India and Dental Council of India respectively. In addition, entry to the MBBS course at 15 AIIMs is through AIIMS MBBS entrance exam while entry to the MBBS course at JIPMER Puducherry and Karaikal are through the JIPMER MBBS entrance test. These are institutions established through an Act of Parliament and therefore, do not come under the purview of NEET IG.

NEET UG exam is the single gateway for admission to – MBBS and BDS courses in the country. What should be kept in mind while choosing where to do MBBS is the cost of the course, recognition and regulations to set up practice in India after completion of the course etc. An MBBS seat in a government college will be definitely a good and cheap option as the cost of the course is subsidized A private college in India would be costing anything from 20 to 80 lakh rupees depending upon the college. Cost of an MBBS ..course abroad in countries like Russia and China which are the popular destinations for many Indian students, is mostly the same as that of a private college in India. What is additional is the cost of living which will definitely bring the costs on Battling the local language and cultural differences are also some factors to be taken into account. On a positive side, it can also be a means to experience new cultures, ideas and ways of learning. After completion of MBBS abroad, candidates are required to clear the rigorous Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), a screening test held by the MCI to determine whether the returning student is qualified for practice or further studies in India. This can be avoided if one studies in India. Both choices have their pros and cons. It is ultimately up to the aspirant to decide after careful research.

Russia and China are the two major international destinations for Indian medical students aspiring for a foreign degree. Some prominent universities in Russia offering MBBS, are Saint Petersburg Medical University, Volgograd Medical University, Tver State Medical Academy and Kazan State Medical University. Many Chinese universities like the Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Jilin University and Nanjing Medical University also offer MBBS courses.

An average doctor with an MBBS degree generally earnsaround Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 per month at the beginning of nis/her career. This depends largely on whether one is working with a private hospital or is in private practice or is attached with a Government hospital. Over time, a doctor who gains experience and builds a reputation will have a significantly high salary that may rise up to Rs. 2-3 lakhs per month.

A lot of allied medical services are open to students after class 12. These services are support services to MBBS doctors so a good career can be built in these areas.

After the completion of MBBS, one can also get enrolled in courses like MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery) and even M.Sc. Nuclear Medicine for further specialization. There are further super specializations also which one can choose to pursue. To pursue post- graduation, one has to appear for entrance exams like NEET PG, AIIMS PG, JIPMER PG and PGIMER

Paramedical courses lead to support service or clinical service staff that are very much necessary for doctors to function. Nursing, emergency clinical services, diagnostic services all fall under the paramedical courses in a broad sense. Allied medical courses relate to the health care services apart from the ones offered by doctors and nurses, for example dieticians, pharmacists, technicians etc.

Some such courses are

• Optometry

• Medical Laboratory Technology

• Dialysis Therapy Technology

• Health Information Management

• Audiology Speech Language Pathology

• Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology

• Operation Theatre Technology

• Physiotherapy • Radiotherapy Technology

• Nutrition & Dietetics • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

• Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

• B.Tech in Biomedical Engineering Bachelor of Science in Microbiology (Non- Clinical) Bachelor of Science in Cardiac/Cardiovascular Technology Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy Bachelor in Psychology