What is MBBS in India like? How is the life of a medical student in India? What books should I read? What about the hostel? What….? Wait, Hold it right there! We have answers to most of your questions.
What does MBBS stand for / What is MBBS?
MBBS which stands for Medicinae Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Medicine), Baccalaureus Surgery is the basic undergraduate degree needed to practice allopathic medicine in India.
9 semesters, 1 year of internship, 5.5 years and 19 subjects!
MBBS in India is divided into 9 teaching semesters or 4.5 years, followed by a compulsory rotatory internship of 1 year, making it a total of 5.5 years. In these 5.5 years, you’re expected to know 19, yes 19 subjects! So, onto the next question.
Subjects covered in MBBS in India.
MBBS in India requires you to master 19 subjects, as mentioned before. (Well, I guess mastery over here means “atleast know the important stuff”)
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
- Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
- Community Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- ENT or Otorhinolaryngology
- General Medicine
- Dermatology
- Psychiatry
- Surgery
- Anesthesia
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics
Exhausting list, isn’t it? It is a long and arduous journey and one that requires tremendous patience and positivity. But the good thing is that these subjects are divided over four and a half long years.
What is the distribution of subjects in MBBS in India?
Year 1 (1 year long/2 semesters): Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
Year 2 (1.5 years long/3 semesters): Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine.
Year 3 (1 year long/2 semesters): Community Medicine, Ophthalmology, ENT
Year 4 (1 year long/2 semesters): Medicine and allied (Dermatology, Psychiatry), Surgery and allied (Anesthesia, Radiology, Orthopedics), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics.
Where to study from?
Each of these subjects have multiple ‘standard’ textbooks to read from. As long as 5.5 years seem right now, when you have to read these subjects, you’ll wish you had double the time.
Though it is very difficult for us to tell you what to study from where, here are a few guidelines.
Reference book
This is a book intended to be consulted for information on specific matters.
These books generally have a lot of in depth information about topics and even if they’re great for understanding, it may not always be possible to completely or even necessary read the subject from these books.
For example: Gray’s Anatomy for Anatomy, Guyton for Physiology, Harrison for Medicine, Love and Bailey for Surgery.
That being said, there are a few students who stick to these books and are even able to formulate answers based off information in these.
We recommend you give it a shot, see how much time it takes you to read it and if you’re able to retain it well enough to write long answers during exams.
However, these are the books you should definitely turn to if you have any doubts regarding basic concepts. They are relatively expensive and can be used from the college library.
Go-To Textbook
As the name suggests, these are the books students generally rely on for exams and a concise overview of the subject. They are not very detailed, but have most points that help you understand the basic of the topic.
Also, it is easier to formulate answers from these books. We suggest you right down important points from reference books into these go-to textbooks so that every time you revise, you are only referring your go-to book
Apart from these, different subjects will have supplementary books, like an atlas for anatomy or various clinical textbooks for the clinical subjects.
How is the hostel life in Indian Medical Colleges?
For many of you this is going to be a new experience. But, something you should definitely try. Think of it like being on the sets of 3 idiots. Got an idea? If not, check out our article on MBBS Hostel Life to get a clearer picture.
When will I start seeing patients?
That’s why you want to become a doctor right? Seeing patients? You’ll see plenty of patients ( think of them as your greatest teachers) through this long journey.
Besides the classroom teaching, you will be expected to attend clinical postings daily, from 3rd semester onward (that is, start of 2nd year) in the hospital associated with your medical school.
Here, you will interact with patients and learn the practical aspects of medicine like history taking and physical examination. Bedside medicine as a concept is slowly becoming extinct, but any good doctor will be able to tell you that the patient and his physical examination can give you clues to the diagnosis about 80-90% of the time.
Use this time wisely and try to interact with as many patients as possible.
Present cases to your senior residents and teachers and get their feedback about how you could do better. It is great practice and the more you do it, the better you’ll be at it. Learn the vernacular language and remember to introduce yourself and what you are going to do. Always follow basic ethics.
Remember, the patient and their comfort is paramount. Even if it is for the sake of ‘learning’ it is unacceptable to make the patient feel uncomfortable at any point.
Most of these postings will have some sort of an exam at the end of the posting the marks of which contributes towards your internal assessment.
And how about Internship?
If you thought the difficult part was over, think again. Internship is a compulsory 1 year period where you are required to rotate in the various clinical departments and work as part of the treating team.
As interns, you are expected to examine patients independently and perform procedures like blood draws, insertion of catheters and prescription of basic medications (Under a guide).
It is truly an enriching experience and if performed sincerely can help you experience first-hand the nuances of the various fields of medicine and thus help you make an informed choice if you do decide to pursue a postgraduate course.
Okay this is too much info. Is this grind worth it?
Well, we’re gonna be honest with you.
If you don’t curse yourself for doing MBBS in India and dream about alternate careers every few weeks, you’re probably not doing MBBS right.
It is frustrating, especially when you see all your other friends graduate, start jobs, go abroad and do fancy things and just lead happier lives in general.
You will miss out on a lot of friend hang outs, family functions, important birthdays and anniversaries. Your friends will call you boring and you will lose touch with a lot of your non medico friends.
You will hear and maybe even witness doctors getting beaten up and question why you’re even putting in all this hard work. Guess what? This is just the beginning. (Want to know how to safeguard yourself? Check out our article The [Ultimate] Survival Guide for Violence against Doctors)
After completing MBBS in India you’ve to get into a post graduate course (which is an altogether different battle) and then maybe pursue a superspeciality. That’s at least another 6 years more.
Is it worth it? We say – absolutely!
All said and done, being a doctor is one of the most noble professions and the respect that you garner in the society with that two letter prefix of Dr. is beyond comparable.
“The stethoscope is the most expensive jewelry, for it costs you your youth.”
This is one of the few jobs in the world that can give you a sense of fulfillment, that you’re actually doing something to alleviate human suffering and make this world a better place. It is long, but it teaches you that we are meant to be students for life.
After all this, you still won’t know everything, and that is perfectly okay! What matters is your will to keep learning from your mistakes and be open to new information.
You may lose a few friends, but you will make new and long lasting friendships. (Want a little sneak peek into what your F.I.R.E.N.D.S will be like? Find out in the MBBS version of FRIENDS) It is going to be a fun journey, good luck and welcome aboard.
As new medical students, we welcome you to The Indian Medical Student Family.
This website is made by medical students, for medical students. You will find everything related to MBBS in India and much more here.
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