Entry Level Qualification
Graduate
Degree Course Entrance Exam
NEET PG, NEET SS, NEET MDS
Course Details
Here is a comprehensive view of the various types of DM degrees available based on the specialisation:
Virology | Pulmonary medicine | Pulmonary medicine and critical care |
Paediatrics gastroenterology | Paediatrics cardiology | Paediatrics oncology |
Paediatrics nephrology | Paediatrics hepatology | Organ transplant anaesthesia and critical care |
Oncology | Neurology | Neuro-radiology |
Neuro-anaesthesia | Nephrology | Neonatology |
Medical genetics | Medical gastroenterology | Infectious diseases |
Immunology | Hepatology | Haematology pathology |
Geriatric mental health | Endocrinology | Critical care medicine |
Clinical pharmacology | Clinical immunology | Clinical haematology |
Child and adolescent psychiatry | Cardiology | Reproductive medicine |
Course Highlights
A Doctorate of Medicine course is one of the most competitive courses in terms of the eligibility criteria required to be fulfilled by candidates. Here is a quick look at the highlights of the Doctorate of Medicine program:
Course Level | Doctorate |
Course duration | 3 years |
Eligibility criteria | State government conducts a competitive exam, merit on the basis of national level centralised competitive test, a minimum score of 50% for general candidates and 40% for SC, ST and OBC candidates in the DM exam. |
Admission process | Entrance exams like NEET SS, AIIMS SS, JIPMER exam, PGIMER |
Average course fee | INR 2000 to INR 20 lakh |
Average salary | INR 10 lakh and above |
Top colleges offering Doctorate of Medicine courses in India | CMC Vellore, St Johns Medical College, Bangalore, AIIMS New Delhi, KMC Manipal, MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, AFMC Pune, IMS BHU, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, Grant Medical College, Mumbai, VIMS Bangalore, DYPMC Pune, BMCRI Bangalore,JIPMER Puducherry, SMT NHL Municipal Medical College Ahmedabad, SRMCRI Chennai, IPGMER Kolkata. |
Common job positions | Clinical pharmacologist. Endocrinologist, Immunologist, Cardiologist, Clinical Haematologist, Gastroenterologist, Neuro-radiologist, Physician, Oncologist, Neonatologist, Geneticist, Nephrologist. |
About Course
Doctorate of Medicine (DM) course is a 3 year super-specialty programme that is pursued by doctors who wish to continue their studies and also create a future in the research field. Aspirants must hold a postgraduate degree to pursue this doctorate of medicine course. This DM course enables candidates to gain theoretical knowledge along with clinical and practical skills. Aspirants develop the correct approach and attitude for communicating correct medicinal information while being trained for research methodology. Aspirants who want to secure admission in the Doctorate of Medicine course have to appear for entrance exams such as AIIMS SS, PGIMER, NEET SS, JIPMER, etc.
The course cannot be pursued online or via a distance learning approach. Aspirants have to study in a classroom setup to complete the programme successfully. Top colleges such as CMC Vellore, Bangalore, St Johns Medical College, AIIMS New Delhi, MS Ramaiah Medical College, KMC Manipal, Bangalore, AFMC Pune, New Delhi, IMS BHU, Maulana Azad Medical College, Grant Medical College, Mumbai, etc. grant admission to the DM course. The course fee ranges between INR 20,000 to INR 15,00,000. All the candidates completing the Doctorate of Medicine can create a bright career as a Clinical pharmacologist. Immunologist, Endocrinologist, Cardiologist, Gastroenterologist, Clinical Haematologist, Neuro-radiologist, Oncologist, Physician, Neonatologist, Nephrologist, Geneticist, etc.
Why Choose Course And Required Skills
In order to gain a Doctorate in Medicine degree, candidates need some particular skill sets. Take a look at the skills required to successfully earn a DM degree and have an amazing career:
Problem-solving skills
As doctors, the primary skill that one needs to possess is the capability of solving problems. You need to gather all kinds of clues from the patient’s reports about their symptoms and their history while running different tests to identify the cause of illnesses. You might need to do some out-of-the-box thinking in order to find out the cause of the disease as not all presentations are very clear. Treating kids comes with its own challenges as they are not always good with communication.
Teamwork
More often doctors will find themselves working in teams with other doctors and with people from various disciplines. So the importance of working in teams and collaborating with people is crucial as a doctor.
Paying attention to details
A good doctor is mindful of all details. In spite of having busy schedules and workloads, treating every patient with the same level of attention and not neglecting any patients in the process.
Decision-making skills
Doctors need to make decisions and having a logical, analytical personality is very important. It helps them to rely on data and test results to make the best decision. Making quick decisions while remaining calm and professional is crucial for doctors.
Professionalism
Medical professionals have the responsibility of treating all patients in a courteous manner. One has to show emotional maturity while interacting with patients. It is the professionalism of doctors that makes them exceptional at their jobs.
Leadership skills
As doctors, there might be a time in life when you would need to take up a leadership role. So being confident with your role and responsibility when required while being empathetic will help you bring out the best in your team.
Communication skills
While building one’s career as a doctor, you will be interacting with people from all walks of life. Again medicine is a complex subject that needs to be communicated clearly with patients when explaining symptoms, diagnosis, and plans for treatment. So it is important to inculcate strong communication skills for building effective relationships with colleagues and patients.
Eligibility
The DM degree is one of the most ambitious degrees and is only awarded to the most deserving and meritorious candidates. Here are the eligibility criteria for a Doctorate of Medicine:
1. Doctors who are MDs are eligible to apply for the course and the academic merit of students is considered to be the most important criteria for Doctorate of Medicine admission.
2. Marks scored by candidates in the competitive exams (general candidates a minimum of 50% and SC/ST/OBC a minimum of 40%) conducted by the state government or similar conducting bodies appointed by the state government. Universities also appoint a body for conducting exams.
3. Non-government institutes have the option of filling half of their seats and the other half is filled by the management. But this is also done on the basis of merit.
Entrance Exams Details
Several entrance exams are conducted for gaining admission in DM courses like NEET SS, AIIMS SS, JIPMER exam, and PGIMER. NEET SS or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Super Speciality Course) is conducted by the NBE or National Board of Education. The NEET SS is conducted annually and is a computer-based mode of exam.
Degree Course Syllabus
The doctorate of medicine syllabus depends completely on the course specialisation opted for by the candidate. Take a look at the patterns of exam:
1. Theory paper
There are four papers including Basic Medical Science and Recent Advances. There is also a gap between Clinical exams that ensures that the answer books have been checked and evaluated. After that is the clinical and oral exam.
2. Practice and oral paper
During the practical exam, candidates are required to perform diagnosis with the help of various special investigative methods for diagnosis and therapy. The oral exam tests the candidate’s knowledge of subjects. Students need to score at least 50% marks in their theory papers as well as practical, clinical and viva.
Top Colleges
Here is the list of the top Doctorate of Medicine colleges in India course:
1. CMC Vellore
2. St Johns Medical College, Bangalore
3. AIIMS New Delhi
4. KMC Manipal
5. MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore
6. IMS BHU
7. Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
8. Grant Medical College, Mumbai
9. VIMS Bangalore
10. DYPMC Pune
11. BMCRI Bangalore
12. JIPMER Puducherry
13. SMT NHL Municipal Medical College Ahmedabad
14. SRMCRI Chennai
15. IPGMER Kolkata
Course Fees
The duration of a Doctorate of Medicine is three years and below is the list of Doctorate of Medicine fees for various specialisations:
Cardiology | Rs 5000- Rs 10 lakhs |
Clinical Haematology | Rs 50000- Rs 1 lakhs |
Clinical Pharmacology | Rs 30,000- Rs 3.2 lakhs |
Endocrinology | Rs 10,000- Rs 15 lakhs |
Immunology | Rs 25,000- Rs 2.4 lakhs |
Medical Gastroenterology | Rs 10,000- Rs 7 lakhs |
Medical Genetics | Rs 10lakhs- Rs 15 lakhs |
Medical Oncology | Rs 50,000- Rs 2 lakhs |
Neonatology | Rs 30,000- Rs 1 lakhs |
Nephrology | Rs 5000- Rs 20 lakhs |
Top Recruiters And Salary
A Doctorate degree holder can find various job opportunities. Some of the top recruiters for the degree holders are listed below:
AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) | Lilavati Hospital |
BLK Super Speciality Hospital. | Manipal Hospital. |
Fortis | Apollo |
Max. | Columbia Asia Referral Hospital |

The average salary for a Doctorate of Medicine specialisation depends on some important factors like experience and specialisation. The choice of career path in terms of a government and private hospital and a government hospital along with a private clinic also dictates the salary of doctors with a DM degree. But on average, the salary range lies between INR 1.5 LPA to 30 LPA.
Course Scope And Career Options
Candidates after the completion of the Doctorate of Medicine degree have a lot of prospects and opportunities to choose from:
Clinical Pharmacologist. | Endocrinologist |
Immunologist. | Cardiologist |
Clinical Haematologist. | Gastroenterologist |
Neurologist. | Neuro-radiologist |
Physician. | Oncologist |
Neonatologist. | Geneticist |
Nephrologist. | |
Admission Process
Doctorate of Medicine is a course that is only ideal for highly meritorious students. The candidate needs to have an MD degree and pass entrance exams. The process of admission is strictly based on academic merit and various entrance exams like NEET SS, AIIMS SS, JIPMER exam, and PGIMER exam.