The healthcare industry is a sector that offers favorable career and knowledge opportunities to people associated with the medical field. In India, the number of students who want to pursue their degree-level education in this area after their senior secondary education has increased tremendously.  Some popular medical courses in India that grasp the interest of students year after year are MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, nursing, pharmacy, medical technology, health sciences, biotechnology, etc. It can be observed that until a few years back MBBS used to be the first choice of students who thought about establishing a career in medicine. However, according to the latest trends, it is noticeable that students are academically competing fiercely to secure seats in the BAMS and BDS courses. Although they are both domains of the healthcare sector only, the course teachings, as well as the professional work characteristics, differ on various levels. This differentiation is visible in the form of medical equipment, learning practices, approaches to diseases, treatment plans, health concerns, etc. To truly understand the pros and cons of studying BAMS and BDS or to navigate through a better career option amongst the two, you must read through this blog which has accumulated and detailed information about both the medical courses.

BAMS Course

BAMS is a short form for Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine, and Surgery. It is a graduate-level degree program that is taught over a period of five and a half years. In this time schedule, 5 years are reserved for the academic teaching-learning process. Later, 6 months are supposed to be dedicated to the internship program which will mark the conclusion of your degree program. Since it is a recognized medical field in India that is valuable to the country’s history and origin, the admissions to this course are overseen by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine. The studies in this field of medicine involve learning about concepts such as pathology, Sharir Rachna, anatomy, forensic medicine, ayurveda itihas, vyadhi vigyan, charak samhita, physiology, dravya (drugs), etc. While some people believe that the facts taught under this stream of knowledge are based on the ancient sciences of India, others argue that it is majorly different from the medical science concepts that are studied today. Students can be assured that this course has ample career prospects in India. Unparallel to the popular opinion where some might believe that the BAMS course is easier than other medical courses in India, the BAMS course is very extensive and mandates learning about complex medical theories and concepts that have been developed for hundreds and thousands of years. We can safely term it a highly specialized field.

BDS Course

BDS is a general short-term Bachelor of Dental Surgery. In India, it is a graduate-level degree that is officially authorized for a person to be considered qualified in the field of dentistry. Its studies span over a period of five years with a mandatory internship program afterwards. Graduates holding this degree are considered qualified to find employment in government colleges and hospitals as well as private medical facilities. In fact, a majority of BDS course qualifiers establish their own clinics after gaining practical experience under internships and assistantships since it is economically fruitful. Students who opt for this medical course have to study elective and practical subjects along with various hand skills to learn about the art of using medical equipment. Some core subjects that are a part of the curriculum are Oral microbiology and pathology, preclinical conservative dentistry, General & dental pharmacology, pathology, dental therapeutics, understanding biochemistry, orthodontics, etc. All other treatments, disorders, and diagnoses concerning ailments of the oral cavity are a part of the BDS course. The exams for this graduation-level medical degree are conducted in a semester-wise format. Students are evaluated based on written exams, vivas, practicals, and participation in internships. The course has a scope of specialization at the postgraduate or diploma level as well. Some popular PG-level subjects that students prefer to specialize in are pediatric dentistry, Periodontology, prosthodontics with crown and bridge, etc.

Eligibility criteria for BAMS BDS courses

• A certain level of eligibility has to be met before applying for a BAMS or BDS course. Almost all of the admission criteria for the courses are the same, hence we have highlighted their qualifying characteristics underneath-
• Admission into both BAMS BDS course is overseen by the National Medical Commission. According to the established criteria, you are supposed to appear for the national-level common entrance test called ‘national eligibility cum entrance test’ (NEET). It is a paper-pencil-based test and has to be completed within 3 hours 20 minutes.
• NEET has to be qualified with the prescribed cut-off of the current year.
• The age of the student should not be below 17 years. They should have completed this age before 31st December of the year in which they are seeking admission. The maximum age to apply for a BAMS or BDS seat is 25 years.
• Applying candidates should have completed and passed their 10+2 examination. The final board examinations should be taken from recognized boards only.
• For the BAMS course, the applicants should have scored at least 50% and 40%  marks for the unreserved and reserved categories respectively. For the BDS course too the marks criteria remain the same.
• Students who have completed their higher secondary school in the humanities or commerce stream are not eligible to study these medical courses. Only medical stream students who have studied biology, physics, chemistry, and English are considered worthy of applying.

How to secure admission into BAMS BDS courses in India

• Eligible candidates have to appear for the national-level NEET examination.
• Qualifying candidates whose score meets and go above the cut-off marks must register themselves for the counseling sessions organized by the MCC.
• The MCC will allot you seats based on your NEET AIR rank and score.
• Factors like your domicile and category are also important. Seats are particularly reserved under All India Quota (AIQ) and state quota.
• Choose a college of your preference keeping in mind the availability of seats.
• Reach your college in due time to get ll your documents verified.
• You might be required to undergo a medical fitness test as well.
• Inquire about any fees that has to submitted and get your admission confirmed.