The BAMS course (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) is a 5 and a half year degree that makes you a registered Ayurveda doctor. It is one of several AYUSH degrees, along with BHMS for homoeopathy, BUMS for Unani and BSMS for Siddha. If you have class 12 with biology and a NEET score that may not reach an MBBS seat, these courses deserve a careful look. This guide covers duration, eligibility, NEET counselling, subjects, fees, jobs and salary after the BAMS course and the other AYUSH degrees.
The Ministry of Ayush looks after these systems of medicine. The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) regulates Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa education, and the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) regulates homoeopathy. Only a degree from a college permitted by these bodies lets you register and practise.
AYUSH degree courses at a glance
| Course | System | Duration | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAMS | Ayurveda | 5.5 years (4.5 years study plus 1 year internship) | NCISM |
| BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery) | Homoeopathy | 5.5 years (4.5 years study plus 1 year internship) | NCH |
| BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery) | Unani | 5.5 years (4.5 years study plus 1 year internship) | NCISM |
| BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery) | Siddha | 5.5 years (4.5 years study plus 1 year internship) | NCISM |
Unani needs Urdu at a basic level in many colleges, and Siddha colleges are mainly in Tamil Nadu. Check the admission rules of the college you want.
BAMS course duration and BHMS course duration
Students often ask, BAMS how many years course is it? The BAMS course duration is 5 years and 6 months. You study for 4 and a half years in three professional phases, then do a compulsory rotating internship of 1 year in a hospital. The BHMS course duration and the BUMS duration follow the same 5.5 year pattern. You get your degree and registration only after finishing the internship.
Eligibility and NEET for BAMS and other AYUSH courses
- Class 12: physics, chemistry and biology with English, usually with at least 50% marks in PCB for general category and 40% for SC, ST and OBC, as per the regulator's norms.
- NEET UG: admission to BAMS, BHMS, BUMS and BSMS is through NEET UG, conducted by NTA. You must reach the qualifying percentile.
- Age: at least 17 years by 31 December of the admission year.
After NEET there are two counselling routes. The AYUSH Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC), under the Ministry of Ayush, fills the all India quota seats in government colleges and seats in central and deemed universities. State counselling bodies fill the state quota and private college seats. You register separately for each. The seat matrix, rounds and cut-offs change every year, so follow aaccc.gov.in and your state counselling website. Our NEET UG page explains the exam.
BAMS course details: subjects by phase
| Phase | Main subjects |
|---|---|
| First professional | Sanskrit and the history of Ayurveda, Padartha Vigyan (basic principles), Kriya Sharir (physiology), Rachana Sharir (anatomy) |
| Second professional | Dravyaguna (pharmacology of herbs), Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana (making medicines), Roga Nidana (pathology and diagnosis), Agada Tantra (toxicology and forensic medicine), Swasthavritta (preventive and social medicine) |
| Third professional | Kayachikitsa (general medicine), Panchakarma, Shalya Tantra (surgery), Shalakya Tantra (eye and ENT), Prasuti Tantra and Stri Roga (obstetrics and gynaecology), Kaumarbhritya (paediatrics), research methods |
| Internship | 1 year of supervised hospital work across departments |
You also learn modern basics like anatomy, physiology and clinical examination. BHMS course subjects follow a similar shape: anatomy, physiology, homoeopathic pharmacy, materia medica, organon of medicine, pathology, surgery, obstetrics and practice of medicine. Sanskrit is part of BAMS, so be ready to learn it if you did not study it in school.
BAMS course fees and BHMS course fees
| College type | Fee level per year |
|---|---|
| Government AYUSH college | Low, often from a few thousand to tens of thousands of rupees |
| Private college (state quota) | High, often running into lakhs of rupees per year as fixed by the state fee committee |
| Deemed university or management quota | Highest |
BAMS course fees in private college seats can add up to many lakhs for the full course, and the same is true of BHMS course fees in private colleges and BUMS course fees. Government colleges cost much less than private ones, so a good NEET score saves a lot of money. Add hostel and mess costs, and check the fee approved by your state before you pay. Avoid any agent offering a seat for cash.
BAMS jobs and government jobs after BAMS
- State government: Ayurvedic Medical Officer posts in state AYUSH departments and health services, filled through state public service commissions or health boards. Pay follows the state scale.
- Central government: AYUSH medical officer posts in organisations such as CGHS, ESIC hospitals and central research councils, advertised by UPSC or the organisation itself. Many of these are Group A posts; the notification states the pay level.
- National AYUSH Mission and National Health Mission: contract posts for AYUSH doctors in primary health centres and wellness centres. Pay is fixed per post.
- Private: your own clinic, Ayurveda hospitals, Panchakarma and wellness centres, Ayurvedic medicine manufacturers (as medical adviser or in quality and research), and health content work.
BHMS govt jobs follow the same pattern through Homoeopathic Medical Officer posts in states, CGHS and AYUSH programmes. Always read the eligibility in each notice, because some posts need registration with the state board and some ask for experience.
BAMS salary in India and BHMS salary
Pay depends heavily on where you work.
- Government medical officer: state and central posts are on regular pay scales with allowances, and are among the best paid options for AYUSH graduates. For central posts, see the pay level in the notification and use the salary calculator for in-hand pay.
- Private hospital or clinic job (fresher): often around ₹15,000 to ₹35,000 a month, depending on the city and the hospital.
- After 5 to 8 years: doctors with a good practice, an MD or MS, or Panchakarma expertise can earn much more, from about ₹50,000 to well over ₹1,00,000 a month in their own clinic. Income from practice varies widely.
BHMS salary in India and BUMS salary per month fall in a similar range. A BHMS salary in a government hospital follows the state or central pay scale for medical officers.
Other Ayurveda and homoeopathy courses
Not everyone needs a 5.5 year degree. Some shorter ayurveda courses and homeopathy courses (the official spelling is homoeopathy) are:
- Diploma in Ayurveda pharmacy or homoeopathy pharmacy: run by some state boards, leading to work as an ayurvedic pharmacist in dispensaries and medicine units. Rules for registration differ by state.
- Ayurveda nursing course and Panchakarma technician course: diplomas or certificates offered in some states and AYUSH institutes, for nursing and therapy assistant roles.
- Short ayurveda therapy, yoga and wellness certificates: useful for spa and wellness jobs, but they do not let you practise as a doctor.
Online homoeopathy course and ayurveda online course certificates are fine for learning, but no online course gives you a licence to treat patients. Check recognition before you enrol. For other healthcare options, see pharmacy courses, B.Sc Nursing and paramedical courses.
After BAMS which course is best
The main step up is an MD or MS in Ayurveda (3 years), or an MD in homoeopathy after BHMS. Admission is through AIAPGET, conducted by NTA. A postgraduate degree opens lecturer posts in AYUSH colleges, specialist posts and better private income. Other choices include a master's in public health, hospital administration, or a clinical research course. Compare all routes on medical courses after 12th, and read MBBS doctor if you are still deciding between MBBS and AYUSH.
Questions students ask
What is BAMS course duration?
BAMS takes 5 years and 6 months: 4 and a half years of study and a compulsory 1 year rotating internship. BHMS, BUMS and BSMS follow the same 5.5 year pattern.
Is NEET required for BAMS?
Yes. Admission to BAMS, BHMS, BUMS and BSMS is through NEET UG. Seats are then filled through AACCC counselling for all India quota and through state counselling for state quota and private seats.
What are the BAMS course fees?
Government college fees are low, often a few thousand to tens of thousands of rupees a year. Private college fees are much higher and can run into lakhs per year, as fixed by the state fee committee.
What are the government jobs after BAMS?
Ayurvedic Medical Officer posts in state health and AYUSH departments, AYUSH posts in central bodies like CGHS and ESIC, and contract doctor posts under the National AYUSH Mission and National Health Mission. Teaching posts in colleges need an MD or MS.
What is BAMS salary per month for a fresher?
In private hospitals and clinics a BAMS fresher often earns around ₹15,000 to ₹35,000 a month, depending on the city. Government medical officer posts pay more on regular scales with allowances.
What is the BHMS course?
BHMS is the Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery, a 5.5 year degree regulated by the National Commission for Homoeopathy. Admission is through NEET UG, and graduates can register and practise as homoeopathic doctors.
Sources and official websites
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources. Rules change with each notification, so always read the latest one before you apply.
- Ministry of Ayush
- National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM)
- National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH)
- AYUSH Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC)
- National Testing Agency (NEET UG and AIAPGET)
Last checked on 11 October. Spot an error? Tell us on the contact page.