IS A BAMS DEGREE EQUIVALENT TO MBBS?

People today worldwide are in search of a proper medical practice that provides a long-term cure with minimal expenditure. Are you able to figure out such a medical practice? If not, get to know now. There is an ancient Indian medical practice that provides long-term solutions almost permanent for a wide range of health ailments. This outstanding medical practice is Ayurveda and there are exclusive courses for Ayurveda. One such course is BAMS, an undergraduate degree in ayurvedic medicine.

But why do people drastically end up in search of medical and healthcare support?

Because people of today’s world are circumscribed within a stressful environment. Pressure plunges from multiple directions as an individual manages physical, mental, financial, official, etc sort of crises single-handedly. As people develop stress and pressure, it automatically drops its effect on various health ailments, diseases, and disorders. On the flip side, as the world progresses with technologies, so do the pollution and environmental changes that create a major negative impact on the health of the global population.

As health issues take root, it sucks out the most money from people. The Healthcare sector contributes around 10% of GDP in most developed countries thus projecting the fact that a magnanimous population spends majorly on healthcare. Indian health care expenditure rate stands at close to 3.9% of total GDP. 

The Healthcare sector has various medical practices say allopathy, Unani, etc but ayurveda is the best medical practice because it treats patients with naturally available herbs, and shrubs along with diets and practices thus excluding all chemically developed medical formulas. Many colleges like Mansarovar Ayurvedic Medical Center(MAMC), one of the ayurvedic colleges in Bhopal are providing ayurvedic courses alongside providing ayurvedic treatments in their hospitals.

This article will make you understand what ayurveda is and give you an idea of whether a BAMS degree is equivalent to an MBBS.

What is BAMS?

Ayurveda being a holistic Indian medical practice has got its roots in various Asian subcontinents from almost 5000 years ago. This branch of medicine has been withstanding multiple centuries with its unique treatment techniques and principles thus being one of the best medicinal practices worldwide. Having its origin in India, Ayurveda is an efficient medical practice that aids in treating and curing various ailments and diseases by involving the usage of herbal medicines, practicing yoga and meditation, prescribing special diets, and so on. 

As ayurveda sustains, it has developed into professional medical practice thus providing its own undergraduate degree, BAMS. BAMS stands for Bachelor in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. This course is recognized by the Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga& Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy).

Renowned medical colleges like Mansarovar Ayurvedic Medical College (MAMC), an ayurvedic medical college in MP provide BAMS courses for students to pursue. 

Further let us know more about BAMS courses such as their eligibility criteria, duration, and much more.

Eligibility for BAMS course:

The eligibility criteria for the BAMS course in most ayurvedic colleges like Mansarovar Ayurvedic Medical College(MAMC), an ayurvedic college and hospital are as follows:

• The student should have completed 10+2 in any recognized board with physics, chemistry, and biology as compulsory subjects.
• The student should have obtained 50-60% aggregate or equivalent CGPA.
• The student should be at least 17 years of age.

Certain other ayurvedic medical colleges consider the NEET exam for admission to the BAMS course.

Duration of BAMS course:

BAMS course is a 5.5-year-long undergraduate Ayurveda course, and it involves 4.5 study years and one year of the intern period.

BAMS Syllabus: 

The syllabus of the BAMS course is designed exclusively with subjects that create an in-depth understanding of ayurvedic practices. Here is the list of subjects in each year of the BAMS course:

First-Year BAMS Subjects:

• Padartha Vigyan And Ayurved Itihas
• Sanskrit
• Kriya Sharir
• Rachana Sharir
• Maulik Siddhant Avum Ashtang Hridaya

Second-Year BAMS Subjects:

• Dravyaguna Vigyan
• Roga Nidan
• Rasashastra
• Charak Samhita
• Diseases of Rasa Vaha Srotas

Third-Year BAMS Subjects:

• Agadtantra
• Swasthavritta
• Prasuti Tantra Evum Stri Roga
• Kaumarbhritya Parichaya
• Charak Samhita (Uttarardha)

Fourth-Year BAMS Subjects:

• Kayachikitsa
• Panchkarma
• Shalya Tantra
• Shalakya Tantra
• Research Methodology And Medical Statistics

Post Graduate courses after BAMS:

After completion of courses at any renowned BAMS college in Bhopal, there are broad Post Graduate courses in Ayurveda. 

Here is the outlay of postgraduate courses in Ayurveda:

Doctor of Medicine(MD) in Ayurveda:

One of the postgraduate courses in the field of Ayurveda is MD in ayurveda. This course prepares the students for analyzing, understanding, and treating the conditions of patients’ diseases/disorders by prescribing respective ayurvedic medicines. This course doesn’t cover any surgical practices. 

MD courses in Ayurveda are offered with many specializations and a few of them are listed below:

• MD Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine)
• MD Maulika Siddhanta (Fundamental Principles)
• MD Panchakarma (Penta Bio-Purification Methods)
• MD Roga & Vikriti Vijnana (Clinical Medicine & Pathology)
• MD Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana Iatro-Chemistry (Rasa Chikitsa)
• MD Sharira Rachana (Anatomy)
• MD Sharira Kriya (Physiology)
• MD Swasthya Vritta (Preventive & Social Medicine)

Eligibility and admission procedure for the MD course:

The eligibility criteria for the MD course in most ayurvedic colleges are as follows:

• The student should have completed BAMS
• The student should have obtained 50-60% aggregate in BAMS.

Some universities in addition require an entrance exam score for admission.

Duration of MD course:

3 years

Master of Surgery(MS) in Ayurveda:

MS in Ayurveda is one of the postgraduate courses in the field of Ayurveda. This course concentrates on training BAMS graduates in the surgical field. Students graduating with MS ayurveda are surgical experts. 

Eligibility and admission procedure for MS course:

The eligibility criteria for the MD course in most ayurvedic colleges are as follows:

• The student should have completed BAMS
• The student should have obtained 50-60% aggregate in BAMS.

Some universities in addition require an entrance exam score for admission.

Duration of MS course:

3 years

Is a BAMS degree equivalent to MBBS?

Many students have this question, is a BAMS degree equivalent to MBBS?

Yes, a BAMS degree is equivalent to MBBS but not equal to MBBS. What is the difference then? Here are some points that make the above statement clear.

• Both BAMS and MBBS are undergraduate degrees, but BAMS is an undergraduate degree in ayurvedic medicine while MBBS is an undergraduate degree in allopathic medicine.
• The course duration of both BAMS and MBBS is 5.5 years with 4.5 years of classroom studies and 1 year of internship but BAMS students are trained in ayurvedic practices while MBBS students are trained in allopathic practices.
• BAMS degree differs from MBBS as the ayurvedic doctor can never prescribe allopathic medicines while allopathic doctors can never prescribe ayurvedic medicines.
• The BAMS course is accredited by the Central Council of Indian Medicine(CCIM) while the MBBS course is accredited by the Medical Council of India(MCI).

Top colleges to pursue BAMS courses:

In India, there are a total of 247 BAMS colleges. Out of which, the following ranks among the top BAMS colleges:

• Mansarovar Ayurvedic Medical College, Bhopal.
• College of Ayurved, Pune
• Rajiv Gandhi College of Health Sciences, Bangalore.
• Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi.
• National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur.

Mansarovar Ayurvedic Medical College (MAMC), stands as the best private BAMS college in MP. 

Sectors for BAMS graduates to establish career:

The requirement for graduates from renowned institutions like Mansarovar Ayurvedic Medical College, a BAMS college in Bhopal, has increased in the following sectors:

• Medical sector: The first and foremost job preference of any BAMS graduate would be to practice Ayurvedic medicine as a doctor. As people today move towards medical treatments with minimalist side effects and long-term benefits, Ayurveda is now blooming into the best medical practice worldwide.
• Education sector: Educational institutions always require experts to share their knowledge with future students. So, BAMS graduates can also start their career as faculty in any ayurvedic college if they possess an interest in teaching. 
• Research sector: BAMS graduates, if interested in developing new medicines by researching the available medicinal plants and other sources, can indulge in the research and development of new Ayurvedic medicines under any pharmaceutical company.

Job options after the BAMS course:

After completing graduation in BAMS under prestigious medical colleges, like MAMC, an ayurvedic college in Bhopal students have the following job roles open for them:

Top companies that hire BAMS graduates:

Here is the list of top-notch companies that hire BAMS graduates for various roles.

1. Zandu Ayurveda
2. Emami Ltd.
3. Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd.
4. Himalaya Wellness
5. Vicco Laboratories
6. Dr. Chandrika’s Kerala Ayurveda
7. Charak Pharma Pvt Ltd.
8. Exmed Healthcare
9. Apex 
10. Dabur Ltd.

Conclusion: 

People always want a progressive treatment with no or minimal side effects. Ayurveda is one such medicinal practice that cures most diseases with natural medicines along with healthy practices like yoga, diet control, etc. Pursuing BAMS courses will be a boon in the future decades as people are flocking towards sustainable medical practices rather than instant medical relief. 

If you are a student and choose to pursue BAMS, then it is now time for you to move to the next step and select the best ayurvedic medical colleges like Mansarovar Ayurvedic Medical College in Bhopal. 

Ayurveda is a symbol of our Indian intelligence in the field of medicine in the ancient era. Choosing Ayurveda will be a pride to showcase our own medical practice.

FAQs:

1. Can MBBS graduates pursue MD in ayurveda?

No, MBBS graduates cannot pursue MD in ayurveda but can pursue MD in allopathic fields.

2. Can MBBS graduates pursue BAMS simultaneously?

No, MBBS graduates cannot pursue BAMS simultaneously but can pursue it after completing MBBS by appearing for the NEET exam again.

3. Is MD in Ayurveda better or MS in Ayurveda?

It depends on the students. If the student is not into blood and surgeries then MD in Ayurveda is better as it concentrates on treating patients with medicines while MS involves surgical practices.

4. Can MD doctors perform surgeries?

No, MD doctors cannot surgeries as it requires an MS degree.

5. Is the 1-year internship compulsory in the BAMS course?

Yes, the 1-year internship is compulsory in the BAMS course as it trains the students for real-time medical conditions.