Currently Empty: ₹0.00
Children are the future of society, and caring for their health and development is a noble responsibility. Pediatrics, the branch of medicine that deals with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents, is one of the most important and emotionally rewarding specialties in the healthcare sector. A pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in treating children from birth to adolescence, addressing their physical, emotional, and social health.
If you have a passion for medicine and enjoy working with children, becoming a pediatrician might be the perfect career for you. In this complete guide, you will learn how to become a pediatrician in India, step-by-step—from educational requirements and entrance exams to job roles, salary, and future prospects.
Who is a Pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a trained medical doctor who manages the health of children, including physical examinations, diagnosis of illnesses, vaccinations, growth tracking, treatment of infections, developmental issues, and preventive care. Pediatricians may also work closely with parents to educate them about their child’s health, nutrition, and lifestyle.
There are two types of pediatricians:
- General Pediatricians – Focus on primary care, routine check-ups, and common childhood illnesses.
- Pediatric Specialists – Further trained in subfields like pediatric cardiology, neurology, neonatology, oncology, etc.
Why Choose Pediatrics as a Career?
There are several strong reasons to pursue pediatrics:
- High demand: Children require specialized care, and pediatricians are always in demand in hospitals and clinics.
- Emotionally fulfilling: You help children recover, grow, and thrive.
- Good work-life balance: Compared to surgical branches, pediatrics often offers more stable working hours.
- Opportunities to specialize: There are various pediatric sub-specialties for deeper study.
- Contribution to community: You help shape healthier future generations.
How to Become a Pediatrician in India: Step-by-Step Guide
Becoming a pediatrician in India is a long yet rewarding journey. You must first become a medical doctor (MBBS), then specialize in pediatrics through postgraduate studies.
Step 1: Choose Science Stream in 10+2
The first step begins after your Class 10 board exams.
- You must take the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) in Class 11 and 12.
- Aim for high scores, especially in Biology, to qualify for competitive medical entrance exams.
- Minimum eligibility: 50% aggregate in PCB (40% for reserved categories).
Step 2: Appear for NEET-UG and Get Admission in MBBS
To become a doctor in India, you must clear the NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test).
- NEET-UG is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- Based on your NEET score and rank, you can get admission into an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) program in a government or private medical college.
MBBS Course Duration:
5.5 years (4.5 years academic + 1 year of compulsory internship)
During MBBS, you will study anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, community medicine, and more. In the later years, you will be exposed to clinical subjects including pediatrics.
Step 3: Complete MBBS and Internship
After successfully passing your MBBS exams and completing the internship, you become eligible to practice as a general doctor. However, to become a pediatrician, you must pursue a postgraduate (PG) degree in pediatrics.
Step 4: Appear for NEET-PG and Enroll in MD Pediatrics
To specialize in pediatrics, you must appear for NEET-PG, which is the entrance exam for postgraduate medical courses in India.
- NEET-PG is required for MD/MS/PG Diploma courses.
- A good NEET-PG rank is essential to secure a seat in MD Pediatrics in a reputed government or private college.
Postgraduate Options:
- MD (Doctor of Medicine) in Pediatrics – 3 years
- DNB (Diplomate of National Board) in Pediatrics – 3 years (equivalent to MD)
You will receive in-depth training in child healthcare, disease management, immunization, growth tracking, emergency care, and neonatal care.
Step 5: Optional Super-Specialization (DM/Fellowships)
After completing MD/DNB in Pediatrics, you can pursue further super-specialization (optional) in pediatric subfields like:
- DM in Neonatology
- DM in Pediatric Cardiology
- DM in Pediatric Neurology
- Fellowship in Pediatric Oncology, Pediatric Nephrology, etc.
These programs allow you to focus on a specific area and work in tertiary care hospitals and academic institutions.
Pediatrician Career Path Summary
Stage | Education | Duration |
Step 1: Class 12 | PCB (Physics, Chem, Bio) | 2 years |
Step 2: MBBS | Basic medical degree | 5.5 years |
Step 3: MD/DNB Pediatrics | Postgraduate specialization | 3 years |
Step 4: DM/Fellowship | Super-specialization (optional) | 2–3 years |
Skills Required to Be a Successful Pediatrician
To be a good pediatrician, technical knowledge alone is not enough. You must also have:
- Excellent communication skills – Especially with children and parents
- Patience and compassion – Children can be fearful or uncooperative
- Attention to detail – Children may not always express symptoms clearly
- Strong diagnostic abilities
- Physical and emotional stamina
- Ability to calm and reassure both children and parents
Top Colleges for Pediatrics in India
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
- Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi
- Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
- Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune
- King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow
- JIPMER, Puducherry
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
Career Opportunities for Pediatricians
Pediatricians can work in a variety of healthcare settings:
- Government and private hospitals
- Maternity and child health centers
- Pediatric ICUs and Neonatal ICUs
- Multispecialty hospitals
- Child rehabilitation centers
- Private practice or clinic
- NGOs working with child health
- Academic institutions and research organizations
Salary of Pediatricians in India
Pediatricians earn well in India, especially in private hospitals and urban centers. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and the type of institution.
Experience Level | Monthly Salary Range |
Fresh MD Graduate | ₹60,000 – ₹1,00,000 |
3–5 Years Experience | ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000+ |
Senior Pediatrician | ₹2,50,000 – ₹5,00,000+ |
Private Practice Owner | ₹3,00,000+ |
Super-specialists or doctors working in metro cities can earn significantly more.
Advantages of Being a Pediatrician
- Respectable and noble profession
- High emotional satisfaction
- High employability and job security
- Opportunity to specialize further
- Flexibility to start your own clinic
Challenges of Being a Pediatrician
- Dealing with serious or terminal illness in children
- Managing anxious or stressed parents
- Long working hours in hospital settings
- Need for continuous learning and upskilling
Future Scope of Pediatrics in India
With growing awareness of child health, immunization, and early diagnosis, pediatrics is one of the fastest-growing medical specialties in India. Increased government focus on maternal and child healthcare, the expansion of neonatal units in rural areas, and the demand for pediatric specialists make it a future-proof and socially impactful career.
Conclusion
Becoming a pediatrician in India is a journey that demands dedication, academic excellence, and a deep sense of empathy for children. It is a career where you not only treat diseases but also contribute to a child’s development and future. Whether you work in a hospital, start your own clinic, or pursue research and specialization, pediatrics offers immense scope, satisfaction, and respect.
If you love children, enjoy medicine, and are ready for a meaningful profession, pediatrics could be the perfect career for you.
FAQs
Yes. You must clear NEET-UG for MBBS and NEET-PG for admission to MD Pediatrics.
It takes approximately 8.5 to 11 years, including MBBS (5.5 years), MD/DNB Pediatrics (3 years), and optional DM or fellowship (2–3 years).
No. You must have an MBBS degree to specialize in pediatrics in India.
A general physician treats adult patients. A pediatrician specializes in treating children and is trained in child development, immunization, and pediatric diseases.
No. Pediatricians do not perform surgeries. Pediatric surgeons, who specialize after MS General Surgery, handle surgical cases in children.
There is a significant demand for pediatricians in rural and semi-urban areas due to a shortage of specialists and high infant mortality rates. Government schemes and health missions are opening new opportunities in these regions.
Yes, but you may need to pass additional licensing exams such as USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), or AMC (Australia). Your MD or DNB must be recognized, and you might need experience and proof of clinical competence.
Both are respected degrees. MD is often preferred in academic settings, while DNB is accepted in most hospitals. DNB may be slightly more rigorous in terms of passing rate, but both are valid and recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Intensive Care
Yes. After gaining some clinical experience and obtaining registration with the medical council, pediatricians can start their own child clinic or join multi-specialty group practices.
