India is an excellent place to study Medicine as it offers extensive education and training to aspiring doctors. The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree, which typically takes five and a half years to complete, is the least qualification to practice Medicine in India. To obtain higher qualifications, its holders may choose to proceed with postgraduate education such as Medicine Doctor (MD) or Master of Surgery (MS) for three years and become a physician or a surgeon.
The road to Medicine practice begins with completing high school science subjects, such as Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics. In India, local and international applicants must also meet specific eligibility requirements and pass the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET). After successfully complying with the prerequisites, applying to a reputable university or college is the next best step. We will take a look at the best medical schools in India.
Can Foreigners Study in Medical Schools in India?
Yes, foreigners can study Medicine in India. The Medical Council of India (MCI) set the eligibility criteria for foreign applicants. International students looking to gain an MBBS degree in Indian medical schools should be at least 17 years old and have completed the Indian high school equivalent, with Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English subjects in the curriculum. Also, international applicants must obtain high scores in the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET).
One of the universities that accept international students is Saveetha University. As mandated by the MCI, the university allows 15% of its admission seats to foreign and non-resident Indians (NRI). In addition to the eligibility criteria set by the MCI, international applicants should not be over 25 years old when taking the NEET.
What is the most prestigious medical school in India?
The most prestigious medical school in India is the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. It ranked within the top 250 universities in QS Top Universities for 2021 in Life Sciences and Medicine, significantly higher than two other Indian universities on the list. Moreover, the institute made it to the top-performing universities in Clinical Medicine ranking of ShanghaiRankings in 2020, landing between 301st to 400th.
Best Medical Schools in India
1. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences advanced significantly since its foundation in 1956 and is the best medical school in India. This autonomous institution serves as a medical university and public hospital in New Delhi, boasting comprehensive teaching, research, and patient care facilities. The institute has its main campus across five locations in New Delhi and extension campuses, hospitals, and specialty centers.
The institute offers other undergraduate degrees such as the MBBS, and Bachelor of Science courses in Human Biology, Nursing, Audiometry, and Radiography, with the MBBS program accepting 50 applicants annually. It also offers postgraduate programs for MBBS degree holders, such as MD, MS, and the postdoctoral degree of Master of Surgery in its Latin name Magister Chirurgiae (M.Ch). Furthermore, the institute provides doctoral and super-specialization courses, such as Doctorate of Medicine (DM) and Ph.D. programs.
2. University of Delhi – Faculty of Medical Sciences
The University of Delhi is among the best medical schools in India. Its Faculty of Medical Sciences, established in 1993, has 25 departments and 13 institutions, including three medical colleges. The Lady Hardinge Medical College is the only medical college in India that offers training to women in undergraduate studies. Another constituent college of the university, the University College of Medical Science, boasts its 1,000-bed teaching hospital. Lastly, the Maulana Azad Medical College extends its healthcare facilities to over 30,000 Delhi residents.
The faculty offers the MBBS degree in its three colleges, with the Lady Hardinge Medical College accepting only female candidates. After the MBBS degree, students can continue their postgraduate education in the faculty through its MD, MS, and Diploma programs.
3. Christian Medical College Vellore
The Christian Medical College in Vellore, established in 1900, is a non-profit Christian medical school that also serves as a research institute and a hospital. Over the years, it delivered significant breakthroughs in the country, including the first nursing college, open-heart surgery, and kidney transplant. It employs over 2,000 doctors and 3,000 nurses involved in patient care, teaching, and research.
This top medical school in India has a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, including higher specialty courses in Medicine and related fields. The college’s hands-on approach to providing medical education develops medical practitioners that are professionally excellent, compassionate, ethically sound, and servant-leaders in the industry. Through its vision, the college received local and international recognitions, joining in the top 500 of ShanghaiRankings best universities in Clinical Medicine subject of 2020.
4. Banaras Hindu University – Institute of Medical Sciences
Established in 1960 in its former name College of Medical Sciences, the Institute of Medical Sciences is among the best medical universities in India. It has three faculties, including the Faculty of Medicine, which has 33 Modern Medicine departments. Besides Medicine, the institute offers Dental Medicine and Nursing education. Its campus fronts the university and includes the academic building, the Sir Sunderlal Hospital, and other amenities such as hostels, staff quarters, temples, and sporting fields.
The institute has 84 admissions to its MBBS program, while its postgraduate courses, MD and MS, accept over 160 students. It also offers postdoctoral courses, DM and M.Ch., in various fields, including Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, and Cardiology, and it accepts 22 candidates.
5. King George’s Medical University
King’s George Medical University, formerly King’s George Medical College, traces its medical education to 1905. Its campus occupies approximately 100,000 square meters, consisting of various department buildings, some over a hundred years old. Besides its main hospital, clinical centers, and educational halls, the university campus has dormitories, canteens, a post office, and the University Guest House.
This top medical school in India opens 250 seats for MBBS applicants and over 100 seats for postgraduate MS and MD candidates, with Anesthesiology and Obstetrics, and Gynecology fields accepting most students. Meanwhile, its postdoctoral degree programs, DM and M.Ch., offer 42 seats across various specialty areas.
I hope that this article on the best medical schools in India was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Medical School Category!
