10 Best Medical Schools in India
India is more than just the home of Hinduism and the Taj Mahal. The country is also the birthplace of thousands of physicians practicing all over the globe. Favored in many nations such as the US, UK, and Australia, Indian medical education continues to carve a niche in the international market.
Known for its ability to mold efficient and effective doctors – not to mention the inexpensive tuition –Indian medical schools are top considerations for students all over the world. In this article, we will be looking at top medical schools in India.
How long do you need to study Medicine in India?
At the undergraduate level, it will take you 5 ½ years to obtain a medical degree in India. The curriculum covers 4 ½ of theoretical schooling, which is followed by a year-long internship.
After the MBBS course, students can take an MD program for specialization.
What are the requirements to study Medicine in India?
Indian medical schools require applicants to take the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, which is formerly known as the All India Pre Medical Test. Apart from passing this exam, students also need to have a minimum 50% mark for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Top Medical Schools in India
1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
AIIMS is a consortium of public medical colleges. Of its many branches, its New Delhi campus is recognized as the top-ranking medical school in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework. It offers numerous undergraduate programs, including the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course.
Its pre-clinical phase covers anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology, while the para-clinical phase includes courses in pathology, forensic medicine, microbiology, and parasitology. The last 2 years, also known as the clinical phase, includes rotations in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, anesthesiology, and ophthalmology, among many others.
At the graduate level, AIIMS offers an MD/MS degree and an MD with a specialization in Hospital Administration.
2. Christian Medical College
CMC is a private medical school based in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Founded by Dr. Ida Scudder in the yar 1900, it is the host of India’s many firsts: leprosy reconstructive surgery, kidney transplant, and bone marrow transplant.
Apart from being one of India’s best hospitals, CMC is also known as one of the country’s finest medical schools. It offers a top-ranked MBBS course, which starts with the basic principles of problem-based learning, ethics, and communications.
The first 12 months focus on anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology. The next 18 months, on the other hand, deal with clinical and para-clinical courses.
The 12-month internship program features rotations in community health, surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, and other electives.
CMC also offers post-graduate degrees in anesthesiology, geriatrics, family medicine, general surgery, and obstetrics & gynecology, to name a few.
3. University of Delhi Faculty of Medical Sciences
The University of Delhi is a public university located in the Indian capital. Founded in 1922, it is recognized as the country’s largest center for higher learning.
Its 16 units include the Faculty of Medical Sciences, which is led by Prof. Sudha Prasad. The department governs the competitive MBBS program, which is a 9-semester course that includes a compulsory 1-year internship.
Lessons are taught through a variety of modalities, including clinical case discussions, case studies, research, and seminars. Evaluation is done through major examinations. The first professional exams cover the pre-clinical subjects of biochemistry, physiology, and anatomy. Para-clinical subjects feature in the second professional test, while clinical courses comprise the third professional exam.
Internships cover compulsory rotations in community medicine, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, ENT, ophthalmology, and casualty.
4. Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
The Kasturba Medical College is an educational institution located in Karnataka, India. Established in 1953, this medical school in India offers an MBBS program through its Manipal and Mangalore campuses.
The course, which runs for a total of 5 ½ years, is recognized by the General Medical Council of Great Britain and the Malaysian Medical Council. It is also the only Indian medical school to be accredited by the American New York State education department.
Such affiliations make KMC a famous choice amongst many foreign students. To date, the school has produced doctors from over 50 countries.
Its comprehensive curriculum is taught through several methodologies, including clinical case presentations, research mentoring, didactic lectures, self-directed modules, team-based learning sessions, and problem-solving periods.
In terms of hands-on education, Kasturba students get to practice their skills in simulation centers, KMC Hospitals, and its affiliated research institutes.
5. Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research
Fondly known as JIPMER, this medical school in India is a designated Institute of National Importance and tertiary referral center. Located in Puducherry, the 195-acre strong institution is known for its selective MBBS course. Annually, it admits only 150 applicants.
JIPMER’s MBBS course aims to develop doctors who function well as clinicians, healthcare team leaders, communicators, professionals, and lifelong learners.
MBBS Phase I includes a 2-week foundation course, plus subjects in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. This also includes a professional development subject and early clinical exposure.
The second phase, which takes 18 months, tackles the subjects of pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, forensic medicine, and introduction to the clinical sciences.
Lastly, phase III covers the disciplines of ENT, ophthalmology, community medicine, toxicology, medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, and pediatrics.
6. Armed Forces Medical College, India
AFMC is a medical school headquartered in Pune, India. Founded in 1948 as a teaching institution for the Indian Army Medical Corps, it has become one of the most respected medical schools. As of late, it is ranked the 2nd or 3rd best medical college in the country. As such, it continues to attract applicants all over India – and its neighboring countries too.
Yearly, AFMC admits a select 150 for its MBBS course. As medical cadets, these students become functioning officers of the Indian Armed Forces.
Because of the benefits of being a medical cadet, the school has rather rigorous requirements for applicants. Apart from hurdling the academic requirements, students need to meet the prescribed weight, height, visual, and hearing capacities.
7. St. John’s Medical College
Based in Bangalore, SJMC is considered as one of the best medical colleges in India. Established in 1968, it was dedicated to the improvement of medical care, education, and research in the region.
Like other Indian medical schools, SJMC only accepts 150 MBBS applicants every year. Its program follows competency-based medical education, which helps mold students into primary care physicians of first contact. Here, learners are expected to be proactive with the learning process.
The 12-month Phase I follows comprehensive lessons in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. After passing the 1st professional exam, students get to proceed to Phase II. Here, the emphasis is placed on para-clinical and clinical subjects.
Phases III and IV cover ophthalmology, ENT, community medicine, general medicine, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedics, and obstetrics & gynecology.
Apart from institutional exposure, lessons are also taught through seminars, demonstrations, group discussions, and didactic lectures.
8. Banaras Hindu University Institute of Medical Sciences
Banaras Hindu University, also known as BHU, is a public university located in Uttar Pradesh. Founded in 1916, it is currently the largest residential institution in Asia.
BHU is home to 6 institutes, one of which is the Institute of Medical Sciences. Founded in 1960, it is comprised of 33 departments. Currently, it ranks 7-8 in the top 10 lists of medical colleges in the country.
As it keeps up with the times, BHU’s MBBS program has been revised to focus on certain competencies. It still follows four phases, with the inclusion of a foundation course before phase I.
As with the rest of the BHU student body, MBBS students reside within the campus. Male students are housed in 3 hostels, while female students reside in the Kasturba Girls hostel.
9. Jamia Hamdard – Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research
Jamia Hamdard is a higher education institute located in New Delhi, India. Established in 1989, it is one of the younger schools in India. Despite this, its Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (HIMSR) has commanded respect as one of the best medical schools in the country.
Opened in 2012, HIMSR offers a competitive MBBS program. Open to only 100 students every year, it follows the traditional 4 ½ years of lecture plus another year of internship.
Rotations are held at the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary Hospital, a 650-bed medical center. It is known for its various specialties, as well as its groundbreaking studies in oncology, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
10. JSS Medical College
The final university in our list of India’s top medical school is the JSS Medical College, a renowned institution founded in 1981. Situated in Karnataka, the school and its courses are recognized by the Medical Councils of India, the UK, and Sri Lanka.
Compared to other schools, JSS Medical College has a higher intake for its MBBS course – 200.
Through this program, its students are expected to achieve competence in holistic medicine. At the same time, JSS students are trained to be physicians who focus on the preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative aspects of healthcare.
Phases I to IV are taught through didactic lectures, case studies, seminars, group discussions, and practical/clinical exposures. Internships are held at the JSS Hospital, which is one of the biggest in India with its 1,800-bed capacity.
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