HEALTH
Doctor (MBBS)
Diagnosing and treating patients — a long path with a clear structure.
Facts checked 17/10/2026
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. PCB marks of at least 50% (General/EWS), 40% (OBC/SC/ST), 45% (PwD-General).
- First degree
- MBBS: about 4½ years of study plus a 1-year compulsory internship (5½ years).
- Entrance exams
- NEET UG (NTA) for MBBS; NEET PG (NBEMS) for MD/MS.
- Licence or registration
- Registration with the National Medical Commission or a State Medical Council.
What the work is like
Seeing and treating patients in hospitals, clinics or public health; most go on to specialise.
Professional qualificationRun by National Medical Commission (NMC); exams by NTA and NBEMS. You can start after: Class 12 with PCB. Minimum time: 5½ years after Class 12; 8½+ to become a specialist.
The full route: exams, training, registration
- Step 1 · Class 12NEET UG. Minimum age 17 by 31 December; no upper age limit; no attempt limit in the bulletin.
- Step 2 · about 4½ yearsMBBS study, in three phases. The first-year exam has a 4-attempt limit. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 3 · 1 yearCompulsory rotating internship, with provisional registration. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 4Permanent registration with the State Medical Council or NMC.
- Step 5NEET PG (NBEMS) for MD, MS or DNB. NEET PG 2026 was held on 30 August 2026. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 6 · 3 yearsMD or MS specialisation. (reported — check with the official body)
- NExT (the planned national exit test) is not in force; in October 2025 NMC said it is postponed by 3–4 years (reported).
- MBBS must be finished within 9 years of admission; NMC has a May 2026 draft to bring back 10 years (reported).
Good to know
- In NEET UG 2026 about 20 lakh appeared and 11.21 lakh qualified, for about 1.4 lakh MBBS seats — so have a plan B you like.
- Many good health careers don't need MBBS: see our guide on options beyond MBBS.
Read more
About pay: it varies a lot by city, employer and skill, and changes year to year, so we don't print salary numbers. Ask us in a session and we'll show you current, sourced figures for your case.
Sources: NEET UG 2026 information bulletin (NTA) · NBEMS · News report: NExT postponed (Oct 2025) · News report: MBBS time-limit draft (May 2026)
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