Candidates willing to take medicine as a career can opt for Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) after the completion of Class 12. BAMS is an Ayurveda traditional healing art based undergraduate medical programme in India. BAMS course provides complete knowledge about ‘Ashtanga Ayurveda’ along with scientific advances in modern medicine along with extensive practical training. Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) is the responsible body for admission to Ayurveda education at undergraduate as well as the postgraduate level and for practice Ayurvedic medicine in India. The admission to BAMS courses will be granted on the basis of scores obtained in the NEET exam. Besides that, candidates must fulfil certain eligibility criteria of BAMS specified by the authority. BAMS syllabus and curriculum is uniform across the country and the admission to BAMS courses is done in only Ayurvedic colleges affiliated to the respective universities, which are permitted by the Department of AYUSH, Union Government of India. Interested aspirants must keep reading to know all about BAMS for more information on course details, eligibility criteria, admission process, fees, total seats among others.
Programme Name | Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery |
Abbreviation | BAMS |
Programme Level | Undergraduate |
Programme Type | Degree |
Field | Ayurveda Medical Science (Healthcare) |
Duration | 5.5 years (including 12 months mandatory internship) |
Average Salary | Rs. 300,000 to Rs. 700,000 |
Average Fees | Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 320,000 |
Career Opportunities | Pharmacist, Surgeon, Dieticians, Gynaecologist, Teacher, Panchkarma Practitioner |
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery is an undergraduate level medical programme based on ancient Ayurveda methods of healings. Candidates who could not make it to MBBS programme due to hefty fee can opt for BAMS programme. The average fee of the BAMS is economic. Candidates can opt for postgraduate programmes in Ayurveda medicine after successful completion of BAMS programme. It provides numerous careers in the field of medical sciences. One can become surgeon, gynecologist (ayurveda), pharmacist, teacher and numerous other roles offered in the healthcare industry.
BAMS course is an undergraduate degree awarded the degree of ‘Ayurvedacharya’.after five and a half years duration. The admission to BAMS degree is granted after qualifying National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – NEET entrance exam.
It is mandatory for aspirants to fulfil certain eligibility conditions to get admission to BAMS course. Some basic BAMS eligibility criteria are mentioned below.
Admission to BAMS courses will be taken on the basis of NEET UG score and the corresponding rank. Therefore, candidates are required to qualify NEET conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA). AYUSH Admissions Central Counselling Committee plays a crucial role in the allotment process of seats in Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Siddha and Homeopathy colleges.
In order to take admission to BAMS course, candidates are required to secure NEET cutoff percentile. Candidates can check the category-wise minimum required percentile in the table below.
NEET Required Percentile
S.No. | Categories | Minimum required percentile |
1 | General (UR) | 50th Percentile |
2 | SC/ST/OBC(including PwD of SC/ ST/ OBC) | 40th Percentile |
3 | UR PwD | 45th Percentile |
However, NTA is only responsible to conduct NEET and prepare the merit list for the same. The admission to BAMS will be taken by a state-wise counselling procedure. For the BAMS admission process each state will release its own state merit rank based on the NEET merit list for which the candidates will be required to fill the application form.
BAMS stands for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. It is an undergraduate programme designed for aspiring candidates who want to enrich their knowledge in Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery to treat various diseases and disorders. It is a programme that focuses on the ayurveda medical practice or ancient healing methods used by vaidya (ayurveda physician). The duration of the BAMS course is 5.5 years including a mandatory internship of 12 months.There are other similar courses as well. We have mentioned below such courses.
There are no specialisations offered in the BAMS programme. Candidates are required to opt for specialisations in postgraduate programmes in Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery. These programmes include M.S. (Master of Surgery) (Ayurveda) and M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) (Ayurveda).
Candidates can opt for following specialisations mentioned below in MS (Ayurveda) and MD (Ayurveda) programmes.
Professional -I Year | Professional-II Year |
Sanskrit | Charak Samhita (Purvardha) |
Padartha Vigyan | Swasthavritta |
Ayurveda Itihas | Dravyaguna Vigyan |
Ashtanga Hridayam (Sutrasthan) | Rasashastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana |
Rachana Sharir | Roga Vigyan Evum Vikriti Vigyan |
Kriya Sharir | Agada Tantra, Vyavhar Ayurved Evum Vidhi Vaidyak |
Professional-III Year | Professional-IV Year |
Agadtantra | Kayachikitsa |
Swasthavritta | Panchkarma |
Prasuti Tantra Evum Stri Roga | Shalakya |
Kaumarbhritya | Shalya |
Panchkarma | Research Methodology and Medical Statistics |
Compulsory Rotatory 1-year internship in the clinical departments
The theory BAMS course is carried out in four and a half years, while it is necessary for candidates to complete a year rotatory internship for practical training.
With an upsurge of countless grave health issues and limitations of allopathy, Ayurveda has emerged as an alternative. Therefore, BAMS as a medical course is gaining popularity not just in India but all over the world. With almost zero side effects, Ayurveda is being increasingly opted by people all over the globe. People suffering from lifestyle diseases also seek help in the traditional art of healing which indicates the growing demand of BAMS doctors. After the completion of the BAMS course, candidates can either opt for practising or may pursue higher studies and specialise in a particular branch of Ayurveda. Along with regular practice, a BAMS graduate can also take up specialized practice after pursuing higher education in the discipline, e.g., therapy of skin diseases, spinal disorders, ophthalmologic conditions, anorectal diseases, etc.