Unani Doctor (BUMS)

Examining patients, taking a detailed history, and treating them with Unani methods. These include herbal and compound medicines, diet advice and regimental therapies such as cupping, massage and bathing. Unani doctors also counsel patients on lifestyle, work in OPDs and wards, and some do research, teaching or run drug-testing and Unani pharmacy work.

A day in the work
Morning starts in the OPD. You see patients with long-term problems like skin disease, joint pain, digestive trouble or diabetes, and listen carefully to their history and check pulse and temperament. You write herbal prescriptions and diet advice, and you may send a patient for a therapy like cupping or massage. Between patients you check the pharmacy stock and update records. In the afternoon you might do ward rounds, supervise a regimental therapy session, or teach students if you are in a college.

1. Step 1 · Class 9–10If you can, study Urdu, Arabic or Persian as a subject. The NEET UG 2026 rules, as reported, ask for one of these in Class 10, or a basic Urdu test where a college conducts one. Unani texts are in these languages. (reported — check with the official body)
2. Step 2 · Class 11–12Take Physics, Chemistry, Biology (or Biotechnology) and English. Aim for at least about 50% in Class 12 (reported). You must be 17 years old by 31 December of the admission year (reported). (reported — check with the official body)
3. Step 3 · After Class 12Write NEET UG, held once a year by the NTA. Then register for counselling. AACCC handles the All India Quota, central university and deemed university seats, and your state authority handles state-quota and private seats. Seats are given by NEET merit, in several rounds including a stray vacancy round.
4. Step 4 · 4.5 yearsStudy BUMS at an NCISM-permitted Unani college. The course is split into three professional exams. You learn basic Unani principles, anatomy, physiology, pharmacy and medicine, then clinical subjects such as gynaecology and surgery.
5. Step 5 · 12 monthsComplete a rotating internship in a recognised Unani hospital. The degree is awarded after you pass the third professional exam and finish the internship.
6. Step 6Register on the State Register and then the National Register. The NCISM Act, 2020 also provides for a National Exit Test before the licence is granted. Check with your State Board or council what applies when you finish.
7. OptionalMD or MS (Unani) for specialising or teaching. The entrance is AIAPGET (reported). You can also do research, join government Unani services, or start your own clinic. (reported — check with the official body)

Fees from: AACCC UG Information Bulletin 2026-27 · Aligarh Muslim University: Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College · Salfia Unani Medical College fee structure 2026-27 · Allama Iqbal Unani Medical College BUMS fees (college site) · Allama Iqbal Unani Medical College BUMS page, 2026-27 registration banner. Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

Most Unani doctors earn modestly at the start, especially in a first clinic or a private hospital. Income depends a lot on city, how quickly patients trust you, and whether you join a government post, a college, a drug company or run your own clinic.

The central reservation policy applies to the 15% All India Quota seats in government and aided colleges. It does not apply at deemed universities, where seats are unreserved. Read the reservation chapter of the AACCC bulletin and your state's counselling rules for categories, including disability, because they differ by seat type.

• Class 7–9Read a short, reliable account of Hakim Ajmal Khan and the history of Unani medicine in India. Then talk to your school about taking Urdu, Arabic or Persian as a subject in Class 9–10.Open link ↗
• Class 10–12Read the NCERT Class 11 Biology chapters on human body systems (digestion, breathing, circulation) and make your own one-page summary of each. You will build on these for NEET.Open link ↗
• College or afterRead the NCISM minimum standards for Unani education and the Ethics and Registration rules. Then ask your college which State Board you will register with after your internship.Open link ↗

• BUMS is not MBBS. It is regulated by NCISM (Ministry of AYUSH), while MBBS is regulated by the National Medical Commission. Rules on what an AYUSH doctor may prescribe differ by state, so check your State Board's rules before assuming anything.
• Seats are limited. Unani colleges are far fewer than Ayurveda or Homoeopathy colleges, and many are in a few states such as UP, Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra and J&K. You may have to study away from home.
• At deemed universities, seats are filled only through AACCC and are domicile-free and unreserved. Government and aided colleges follow the central and state reservation rules.
• Check that your college is permitted by NCISM and that its BUMS degree is recognised before you take admission. Some colleges have run on court orders after being denied permission.