Professional degrees in India's recognised traditional and alternative systems of medicine: Ayurveda (BAMS), Homoeopathy (BHMS), Unani (BUMS) and Siddha (BSMS). Graduates register as practitioners of that system. BAMS, BUMS and BSMS are regulated by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), and BHMS by the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH). Admission is through NEET-UG. These suit students with a genuine interest in the system itself, not only as a fallback from MBBS.
Know this. An AYUSH degree makes you a registered practitioner of that system, not of modern medicine. Whether and how an AYUSH doctor may prescribe allopathic medicines is limited and differs by state and by court rulings, and families often assume otherwise. Choose it because you want to practise Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani or Siddha; if what you really want is MBBS, a second NEET attempt may be the better call.
Getting in
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery
Who can apply
Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology. You must be at least 17 by 31 December of the year of admission. Admission is only through NEET-UG, and you need at least the 50th percentile (lower for reserved categories, as for MBBS). BUMS usually also asks for Urdu or Persian knowledge at some level, and BSMS for Tamil, as set by the institution or state.
How admission works
After NEET-UG results, the Ayush Admissions Central Counseling Committee (AACCC) runs online counselling for All India Quota seats: 15% of seats in government and government-aided colleges of every state, and all seats (except nominated ones) in central universities, national institutes such as the National Institute of Ayurveda (Jaipur, Panchkula) and National Institute of Homoeopathy (Kolkata), and deemed universities. You register on the AACCC portal using the same details as your NEET application. State counselling authorities fill the remaining state-quota seats in government and private AYUSH colleges. Counselling usually runs from about August to November, later than MBBS counselling, which lets students see their medical options first.
- Duration
- About 5½ years each: 4½ years of study plus a 1-year compulsory internship
- Entrance
- NEET-UG
What you study
- BAMS: Sanskrit and basic Ayurvedic principles, Rachana Sharir (anatomy), Kriya Sharir (physiology), Dravyaguna (pharmacology), Rasa Shastra, Kayachikitsa (medicine), Shalya and Shalakya (surgery, ENT, eye), Prasuti Tantra (obstetrics), Kaumarbhritya (paediatrics), Panchakarma
- BHMS: anatomy, physiology, homoeopathic pharmacy, organon of medicine and homoeopathic philosophy, materia medica, repertory, pathology, forensic medicine, practice of medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology
- BUMS and BSMS: the basic sciences plus the principles, pharmacology and therapeutics of Unani or Siddha medicine
- All: community medicine and modern diagnostic basics, hospital postings in the attached teaching hospital
- Final year: one year of compulsory rotating internship
Specialisations: BAMS – Ayurveda · BHMS – Homoeopathy · BUMS – Unani · BSMS – Siddha · Postgraduate MD/MS in the same system through AIAPGET (for example Panchakarma, Kayachikitsa, Shalya Tantra, Materia Medica)
Is it you?
A good fit if
- You are genuinely interested in Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani or Siddha and want to practise it
- You want a clinical career and a government-recognised doctor's registration without MBBS-level fees and cut-offs
- You are drawn to wellness, lifestyle and preventive health
- You are willing to build a practice or reputation slowly
Think twice if
- You want to practise modern (allopathic) medicine; the rules on cross-practice are restrictive and vary by state
- You are taking the seat only because your NEET rank missed MBBS and BDS
- You are uncomfortable studying classical texts, and in BAMS some Sanskrit
- You expect high salaried jobs straight after graduation
The honest part
- Salaried jobs are fewer and pay less than MBBS in the first years
- College quality varies greatly; check the attached hospital's patient load before joining
- Public trust and demand vary by region and by system
- Postgraduate seats (via AIAPGET) are limited and improve prospects considerably
- The wellness industry is growing, but many roles there are sales-oriented
What it costs
- Government
- Government AYUSH colleges charge roughly ₹10,000–1 lakh a year
- Private
- Private and deemed colleges charge roughly ₹1.5–5 lakh a year, more at some deemed universities
- Help
- AACCC notes that fee, stipend and bond details come from each college, so read them before filling choices, especially for deemed universities. State post-matric scholarships and fee reimbursement for reserved categories apply.
Rough 2026 ranges to compare routes. Fees differ by college and state and change every year.
After this
Study next
- MD / MS (and DNB)The specialist degree for doctors.3 years for MD/MS
- MPHA master's in the health of populations rather than individual patients — epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, health systems, nutrition,…2 years
- MBA / PGDMAn MBA (or PGDM, its diploma equivalent at autonomous institutes) is a two-year postgraduate programme in general management: finance, marketing,…2 years full-time
- UPSC Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS and more)The Civil Services Examination is how India recruits for the IAS, IPS, Indian Foreign Service and about twenty other central services such as the…Exam route
- State Civil Services (State PSC exams)Every state has its own Public Service Commission that recruits officers for the state government: Deputy Collector or SDM, Deputy Superintendent of…Exam route
- Master's or PhD abroadMany Indian graduates go abroad for a master's, an MBA or a PhD — most often to the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, Ireland and a growing list…1–2 years
Or start work as
- Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic, Unani or Siddha medical officer in state AYUSH departments and National AYUSH Mission health centres
- Doctor at AYUSH hospitals and wellness centres (government and private)
- Private practitioner running your own clinic
- Consultant at Ayurvedic and wellness companies (Patanjali, Dabur, Himalaya, Kerala Ayurveda and others)
- Research officer at central AYUSH research councils (through recruitment)
- Medical content, clinical research and product roles in the wellness industry
Starting pay
Early income is modest: many fresh graduates earn roughly ₹20,000–50,000 a month in private hospitals, wellness centres or as associate doctors. Government medical officer posts pay more but are limited and competitive. Established private practitioners with a good reputation can earn much more; the spread is wide.
Or study it abroad
- Medicine (MBBS / MD) abroadThe world's best universities for it, with fees in ₹, deadlines and how to applyMD / MS residency, MSc, MPH
- Public Health abroadThe world's best universities for it, with fees in ₹, deadlines and how to applyMPH, MSc Epidemiology, Global Health
- Dentistry abroadThe world's best universities for it, with fees in ₹, deadlines and how to applyMDS, MSc, DDS advanced standing (USA)
Careers this leads to
Each opens a full career guide — the work, a week in the life, skills and pay.
- PhysicianHealthcare & Medicine
- General PractitionerHealthcare & Medicine
- Public Health OfficerHealthcare & Medicine
- Hospital AdministratorHealthcare & Medicine
- Healthcare ManagerHealthcare & Medicine
- Clinical Research CoordinatorHealthcare & Medicine
- Massage therapistHealthcare & Medicine
- Wellness CoachNutrition
- Health CoachNutrition
- Nutrition ConsultantNutrition
- Clinical Research AssociateBiology
Questions families ask
Is NEET compulsory for BAMS or BHMS?
Yes. The NEET-UG 2026 bulletin states that admission to BAMS, BSMS, BUMS and BHMS shall continue to be done through NEET only, and candidates need the same percentile criteria as for other undergraduate medical courses.
Who conducts the counselling?
AACCC, under the Ministry of Ayush, handles All India Quota seats and all seats in central universities, national institutes and deemed universities. State authorities handle state-quota seats.
Can a BAMS doctor practise allopathy?
Only in the limited ways allowed by your state's rules and current court decisions, and this is a contested area. Do not choose BAMS on the assumption that you will practise modern medicine.
Which is better, BAMS or BHMS?
Neither is objectively better. BAMS has more seats, a larger job market in some states and a strong wellness industry link; BHMS is popular in some regions and in private practice. Choose the system you actually believe in and want to practise.
Can I do an MD after BAMS?
Yes, in Ayurveda subjects, through the All India Ayush Post Graduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET). You can also do an MPH, MBA in hospital management, or take civil services exams.
Sources, checked 2026-09-28: NEET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, NTA · AACCC-UG e-Counseling Scheme 2026 (via National Commission for Homoeopathy) · National Commission for Homoeopathy