BAMS Course: Complete Guide to Duration, Fees, Eligibility & Career (2026)
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BAMS stands for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. It is a 5.5-year undergraduate medical degree that trains students in classical Ayurvedic principles combined with modern medical sciences. BAMS graduates are registered medical practitioners under the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and can practice independently across India.
With over 700 BAMS colleges in India and approximately 30,000 seats, BAMS is one of the largest medical degree programmes in the country. As interest in traditional medicine and wellness grows globally, BAMS is increasingly recognised as a valuable and versatile medical qualification.
BAMS Full Form and Overview
BAMS at a Glance
Undergraduate medical degree
4.5 years study + 1 year internship
Min. 50% in PCB subjects
Central Council of Indian Medicine
Equivalent to MBBS in Ayurveda stream
3-year postgraduate specialisation
BAMS Eligibility Criteria 2026
| Criteria | General | SC/ST/OBC |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam | 10+2 with PCB | 10+2 with PCB |
| Minimum Marks (PCB) | 50% | 45% |
| Minimum Age | 17 years (by 31 Dec) | 17 years (by 31 Dec) |
| Entrance Exam | NEET-UG (mandatory) | NEET-UG (mandatory) |
| NEET Minimum Percentile | 50th percentile | 40th percentile |
BAMS Course Duration and Structure
BAMS Course Year-by-Year Structure
- First Professional (1.5 years) — Padartha Vigyan (principles of Ayurveda), Sanskrit, Ayurvedic history, Kriya Sharir (physiology), Rachana Sharir (anatomy), Maulik Siddhant (basic principles), Astanga Hridayam.
- Second Professional (1.5 years) — Dravyaguna (Ayurvedic pharmacology/materia medica), Rasashastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana (Ayurvedic pharmacy), Roga Nidana (pathology and diagnosis), Charak Samhita.
- Third Professional (1.5 years) — Kayachikitsa (internal medicine), Panchakarma, Shalya Tantra (surgery), Shalakya Tantra (ENT & ophthalmology), Prasuti Tantra & Striroga (obstetrics & gynaecology), Kaumarabhritya (paediatrics), Swasthavritta (preventive medicine).
- Internship (1 year) — Compulsory rotating clinical internship across all departments. Required for CCIM registration and independent practice.
Top BAMS Colleges in India 2026
| College | Location | Type | Approx. Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) | New Delhi | Central Government | ₹25,000 |
| BHU Faculty of Ayurveda | Varanasi, UP | Central University | ₹15,000–30,000 |
| Gujarat Ayurved University | Jamnagar, Gujarat | State University | ₹30,000–60,000 |
| SDM College of Ayurveda | Udupi, Karnataka | Private (Aided) | ₹80,000–1.2L |
| Rajiv Gandhi Govt. PGIP Ayurvedic College | Paprola, HP | State Government | ₹20,000–40,000 |
| KLE University KAHER | Belgaum, Karnataka | Deemed University | ₹1.5L–2.5L |
BAMS Fees in India (2026)
BAMS fees differ significantly between government, private-aided, and private unaided colleges:
- Government colleges: ₹10,000–₹50,000 per year (total ₹50,000–₹2.5 lakh for the full course)
- Private-aided colleges: ₹50,000–₹1.5 lakh per year
- Private unaided colleges: ₹1.5 lakh–₹5 lakh per year
- Deemed universities: ₹5 lakh–₹10 lakh per year
Additional costs include hostel (₹30,000–₹80,000/year), textbooks and instruments (₹20,000–₹50,000 one-time), and examination fees.
Career Options After BAMS (2026)
| Career Path | Role | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Government AYUSH Medical Officer | Clinical practice in government hospitals/PHCs | ₹40,000–₹60,000/month |
| Private Clinical Practice | Own clinic or hospital | Varies (₹30,000–₹2L+/month) |
| MD (Ayu) / MS (Ayu) | Postgraduate specialisation | Higher earning after PG |
| Ayurvedic Pharma / R&D | Product development, quality control | ₹35,000–₹80,000/month |
| Wellness and Spa Director | Medical director at wellness centre | ₹50,000–₹1.5L/month |
| Teaching (Lecturer) | Ayurvedic college faculty | ₹40,000–₹70,000/month |
| Research (CCRAS/AIIA) | Research officer, clinical trials | ₹45,000–₹80,000/month |
BAMS vs MBBS: Key Difference
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) is the allopathic medical degree regulated by the National Medical Commission (NMC). BAMS is the Ayurvedic medical degree regulated by CCIM. Both are 5.5-year degrees requiring NEET qualification. MBBS has a higher NEET cutoff and is generally more competitive. BAMS graduates cannot prescribe allopathic drugs unless specifically permitted by state law under the AYUSH practitioners' regulations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to expand the answer.
The full form of BAMS is Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. It is a 5.5-year undergraduate degree (4.5 years of study + 1 year compulsory internship) in Ayurvedic medicine, recognised by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and regulated by state Ayurvedic councils.
To be eligible for BAMS admission in 2026: (1) You must have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as compulsory subjects; (2) Minimum 50% aggregate marks in PCB (45% for SC/ST/OBC); (3) Minimum age of 17 years on 31 December of the admission year; (4) Qualify NEET-UG — BAMS admission in India is entirely through NEET scores since 2020.
The BAMS course is 5.5 years in total — 4.5 years of academic study spread across three professional years (each 1.5 years), followed by a compulsory 1-year rotating internship. The internship covers clinical departments including Kayachikitsa (internal medicine), Shalya (surgery), Prasuti (obstetrics), and Panchakarma.
BAMS fees in India vary widely by institution type. Government BAMS colleges charge ₹10,000–₹50,000 per year. Private BAMS colleges charge ₹1 lakh–₹5 lakh per year. Deemed universities can charge up to ₹7–10 lakh per year. Total BAMS course fees in a government college range from ₹50,000–₹2.5 lakh; in private colleges, ₹5–25 lakh for the full course.
Yes, BAMS graduates are trained in Shalya Tantra (Ayurvedic surgery) and Shalakya Tantra (ENT and ophthalmology). In many states, BAMS practitioners are permitted to perform minor surgical procedures after completing the internship. The scope of surgery permitted varies by state law. Some states have granted BAMS doctors limited rights to perform specific surgical procedures under the AYUSH practitioners' regulations.
Career options after BAMS include: private Ayurvedic clinical practice, government hospital AYUSH medical officer (recruited through state PSC/UPSC), MD (Ayu) postgraduate specialisation, research at AIIA (All India Institute of Ayurveda) or CCRAS, Ayurvedic product companies (R&D, quality control), wellness centres and spas (medical director), teaching in Ayurvedic colleges, and international practice (especially in countries with growing Ayurveda markets like Germany, UK, USA, UAE).