Courses After MBBS in India

Are you wondering what to do after MBBS in India? You’re not alone. Every year, thousands of medical graduates look for the best career paths after completing their MBBS degree. With multiple options like post-graduation, diploma courses, fellowships, and even opportunities abroad, the decision can be overwhelming.

In this detailed article, we will guide you through the best courses after MBBS in India, their eligibility, career scope, salary, and more—helping you make an informed decision about your medical career.

Life After MBBS

MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is a 5.5-year undergraduate program that marks the first step in a doctor’s journey. But MBBS alone does not define your career. What you choose after MBBS can greatly influence your future role, income, and lifestyle.

Whether you want to specialize, teach, go into research, or pursue a corporate or administrative path, you have many options after MBBS in India.

Why Consider Higher Studies After MBBS?

Many MBBS graduates aim for higher studies because:

• Specialization is key: Patients prefer specialized doctors for treatments.
• Better job opportunities: PG-qualified doctors are preferred in hospitals.
• Higher salary: Specialists and super-specialists earn more.
• Academic and research roles: Require additional qualifications.
• Global career: PG degrees are essential for practicing abroad.

Top Medical PG Courses After MBBS in India

The most common path after MBBS is pursuing a Postgraduate Medical Degree such as:

1. Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Duration: 3 years
Eligibility: NEET PG
Top Specializations:

• General Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Radiodiagnosis
• Dermatology
• Psychiatry
• Anesthesiology

Career Scope: Hospital consultant, teaching, research, private practice.

2. Master of Surgery (MS)

Duration: 3 years
Eligibility: NEET PG
Top Specializations:

• General Surgery
• Orthopedics
• ENT
• Ophthalmology
• Obstetrics & Gynecology

Career Scope: Surgeon, senior resident, hospital consultant, professor.

3. Diplomate of National Board (DNB)

Duration: 3 years
Eligibility: NEET PG
Conducted by: National Board of Examinations (NBE)
Equivalence: Same as MD/MS but slightly more competitive.

Tip: DNB is accepted in both government and private hospitals.

Best Non-Clinical Courses After MBBS

If you don’t want to practice medicine clinically, here are some non-clinical courses after MBBS:

1. Master in Public Health (MPH)

Duration: 2 years
Top Institutes: AIIMS, TISS, JIPMER
Scope: WHO, UNICEF, public health consultancy, NGOs.

2. MBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management

Duration: 2 years
Top Institutes: IIMs, FMS, Symbiosis, TISS
Career Scope: Hospital administration, pharmaceutical companies, health tech startups.

3. Health Informatics or Medical Coding

Short certification or PG diploma courses that open jobs in medical data analysis, health insurance, and IT firms.

Diploma Courses After MBBS

Short-term diploma programs can be a good choice if you want to work sooner.

Top Diploma Courses:

Benefits: Short duration, quicker job prospects, lower competition.

Fellowship Programs After MBBS

Fellowships provide hands-on experience and specialization without full-length PG programs.

Popular Fellowships:

• Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine
• Fellowship in Diabetology
• Fellowship in Oncology
• Fellowship in Emergency Medicine
• Fellowship in Cosmetic Dermatology

Courses Abroad After MBBS

Want to settle or practice abroad after MBBS? Here are top international courses:

1. USMLE (United States)

Exam Phases: Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 2 CS
Path: Residency → Specialization
Duration: 3–6 years

2. PLAB (UK)

Conducted by: GMC (General Medical Council)
Path: PLAB 1 → PLAB 2 → GMC Registration
Then: Join NHS as a junior doctor

3. AMC (Australia), MCC (Canada), NZREX (New Zealand)

You can also go for research-based PG courses like:

• MSc in Clinical Research
• Masters in Global Health
• Masters in Health Administration

Government Jobs After MBBS

If you are not interested in higher studies right away, consider government roles.

Popular Govt Job Options:

Career in Research and Academia

If you love teaching or research, consider:

1. PhD in Medical Sciences

• Requires a PG degree (MD/MS)
• Duration: 3-5 years
• Roles: Research scientist, medical faculty, lab head.

2. Medical Teaching

• Join as an assistant professor in medical colleges after MD/MS/DNB.
• Can grow to become HOD, dean, or principal.

List of Courses after MBBS

• Radiology Courses
• Cardiology Courses​
• Internal Medicine Courses
• Obstetrics and Gynecology Courses
• Critical Care Medicine Courses
• Emergency Medicine Courses
• Cosmetology Courses
• Clinical Cardiology Courses
• Paediatrics Courses
• Embryology Courses
• Oncology Courses
• Diabetology Course​s
• Endocrinology Courses
• Neurology Courses
• Echocardiography Courses
• Clinical Embryology Courses

Alternative Career Options After MBBS

MBBS can be your ticket to other innovative career paths:

1. Medical Blogging or YouTube

Health content is trending! Start a health blog, YouTube channel, or Instagram page to educate the public.

2. Medical Writing / Journalism

Become a medical writer for websites, journals, or publishing houses.

3. HealthTech and Startups

Work in startups like Practo, 1mg, PharmEasy as a medical advisor or founder.

4. IAS/IPS via UPSC

Several MBBS graduates become IAS/IPS officers. Medicine background is a bonus in administration.

Final Thoughts

Completing MBBS is just the beginning of a fulfilling medical career. The courses after MBBS in India offer a wide variety of paths depending on your interest—clinical, non-clinical, research, business, or government jobs.

Don’t rush. Take time to explore your strengths, goals, and lifestyle preferences before choosing a path. Whether you become a surgeon, professor, health officer, or a digital health entrepreneur, your MBBS gives you the foundation to make a real impact.