BAMS Course Overview
Bachelor of Ayurveda Medical & Surgery or BAMS is a UG degree program that offers an integrated course and covers a wide range of subjects of traditional Ayurveda and modern medical system. Aspirants can apply for this programme after completing their higher secondary education in the science stream. In this course, students learn about different topics of Ayurveda, medical practices, and more.
BAMS is a 5-year-6-month bachelor’s program The program comprises a one-year mandatory internship. After graduating from the BAMS course, candidates gain expertise in the field of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic medicine. This is a regular degree offered in offline mode. Aspirants have to study in classrooms as there is no distance learning option available.
Why Choose Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery Course?
The practice of Ayurveda Medicine has been prevalent in India since the Vedic period. Although many original texts depicting the practice of Ayurveda have been lost over the years, the positive impacts and benefits of Ayurveda are still intact and prevalent in today's times.
Ayurvedic Medicine has now been recognised all over the world as an important part of medicinal studies. The World Health Organisation has recently taken up several initiatives to spread awareness of Ayurvedic medical practices.
One of the primary highlights of BAMS courses is that the syllabus for the same includes a vast of topics to be covered such as the study of Kriya Sharira, Rachana Sharira, Dravyuaguna, Yoga, Shalya Tantra, Roga Nidana and Vikriti Vijnana, Shalakya Tantra etc.
It also studies human anatomy, physiology, pathology & diagnostic procedures, principles of medicine, toxicology, forensic medicine, pharmacology, E.N.T, gynaecology & obstetrics, ophthalmology and principles of surgery from modern medicine.
Advantages of Studying BAMS Course:
BAMS Course is accepted and encouraged worldwide. All doctors and scientists are perpetually interested in finding alternative and traditional medicines for curing diseases. Since Ayurveda is considered one of the ancient and traditional ways of treating severe as well as minor ailments, there is no doubt that this field has immense potential and variety of career prospects.
All candidates have the option to do a bridge course after the completion of BAMS course, to practice allopathy medicine. Additionally, BAMS students are generally considered equivalent to MBBS graduates.
Interestingly, various health centers have been set up by various state governments as well, for the practice of Ayurveda all over India. Various MD and MS courses after BAMS are available nowadays for a better understanding of the subjects.
Who Can Enroll in BAMS?
All candidates who are interested in the integrated study of Medical Science and Traditional Ayurveda, should pursue a BAMS degree to have an insightful understanding of the subjects and to grow in the field. All candidates wishing to pursue BAMS should have completed their 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology from a recognized board.
BAMS Course Entrance Exam
BAMS Course Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) course are as follows:
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examinations with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as the main subjects. They must have obtained a minimum of 50% marks in the aggregate of these subjects.
Age Limit: The minimum age limit for admission to the BAMS course is 17 years and the maximum age limit is 25 years as of the date of admission.
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET): Candidates must have cleared the NEET exam and obtained the minimum required marks to be eligible for admission to the BAMS course.
Minimum Percentage: Candidates must have obtained a minimum of 50% marks in their 10+2 or equivalent examination to be eligible for admission to the BAMS course.
Physical Fitness: Candidates must be physically fit and free from any kind of disability that may affect their performance during the course.
Domicile Requirements: Candidates must satisfy the domicile requirements as specified by the concerned authorities.
It is important to note that the eligibility criteria may vary slightly depending on the university or institute offering the BAMS course, and candidates are advised to check the specific criteria before applying.
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission, as the admission process may also include an entrance exam, personal interview, and merit-based selection.
BAMS Admission Process
The admission process for BAMS typically involves the following steps:
Eligibility criteria: The first step is to check if the candidate meets the eligibility criteria for BAMS. This usually includes having completed 10+2 education with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects and a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
Entrance exam: Most BAMS colleges accept NEET scores for admission to their program. Some institute may conduct their college-specific exam; the format and content of these exams may vary, but they typically test the candidate's knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Knowledge.
Application Fee: The fee for the NEET exam for general category applicants is INR 1,500, while it is INR 800 for those belonging to the SC/ST categories.
Merit list: Based on the scores obtained in the NEET exam, a merit list is prepared, and candidates are selected for admission based on their rank in the list.
Counseling: After the NEET exam, a centralized counseling process is conducted for the admission of students who have qualified for NEET, into various medical science courses, based on their performance in the NEET UG entrance exam.
Document verification: Candidates who are selected for admission are required to submit their original documents for verification.
Fees payment: Finally, candidates are required to pay their tuition fees and other charges to complete the admission process.
BAMS Course Job Prospects
After pursuing Bachelors of Ayurveda & Surgery, there are a plethora of career options to choose from. Graduates can find a job in both government and private clinics, as Ayurveda Specialists, Ayurveda drug specialists and may even start their private practice. BAMS graduates are hired in the following capacities:
Graduates of the 5-year ayurvedic course will be able to pursue a career path in one of the following areas of employment for BAMS in India.
With a higher education degree, graduates will be able to build a better and more lucrative career path for themselves. They will also be able to pursue career paths in different fields and disciplines such as management and law.
Skills Required for Bachelor of Ayurveda Medical and Surgery Course
The Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) course requires students to have certain skills to succeed in the program and in their future careers as Ayurvedic practitioners. Some of the key skills required for BAMS are:
Scientific knowledge: BAMS is a science-based course, and students are required to have a strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and other related subjects.
Communication skills: As a practitioner, clear and effective communication is important in building trust with patients and conveying information accurately.
Critical thinking: Students must have the ability to analyze symptoms, diagnose illnesses, and make informed decisions based on their knowledge and observations.
Empathy: Ayurveda is based on the principles of holistic healing, and practitioners need to be able to connect with their patients and understand their concerns.
Organizational skills: BAMS students must be able to manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks, and stay organized, as the course requires a significant amount of independent study.
Attention to detail: Ayurvedic practitioners must be meticulous in their observations, diagnoses, and treatments, and pay close attention to detail in their work.
Physical stamina: Practicing Ayurveda may involve long hours, physically demanding treatments, and working with patients who may require assistance.
By developing these skills, BAMS students can better prepare themselves for the demands of the course and their future careers.
Scope of BAMS
With an upsurge of countless grave health issues and limitations of allopathy, Ayurveda has emerged as an alternative in the recent past. Hence, it is important to mention that BAMS has earned its reputation as one of the most popular courses not only in India but abroad as well.
With lesser known side effects Ayurveda is being increasingly accepted by people all over the globe especially for their erratic and fast-paced lifestyle. After the completion of the BAMS course, candidates can either opt for practicing or may pursue higher studies and specialize in a particular branch of Ayurveda.
Along with regular practice, a BAMS graduate can also take up specialized practice after pursuing higher education in the discipline, e.g., therapy of skin diseases, spinal disorders, ophthalmologic conditions, anorectal diseases, etc.