MD General Medicine (MD Medicine) in India: Check out Admission process, Fees, Medical Colleges to apply, Eligibility Criteria details

The course is a full-time course pursued at various recognized medical colleges across the country. Some of the top medical colleges offering this course include Government Siddhartha Medical College (Vijayawada), Assam Medial College (Dibrugarh), Government Medical College (Chandigarh), and more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET PG Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counselling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing an MD (General Medicine) varies from college to college and is about Rs. 38K to Rs.11.5 lakh per annum.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or pursue a super-specialization course where MD General Medicine is a feeder qualification. Candidates can take reputed jobs in positions as Senior residents, Junior Consultants, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of around Rs 2 to 12 lakh per year.

What is MD in General Medicine?

Doctor of Medicine in General Medicine, also known as MD (General Medicine) or MD Medicine is a three-year postgraduate programme that candidates can pursue after completing MBBS.

General Medicine is the branch of medical science dealing with the various concepts related to the field of identification and diagnosis of diseases by using theoretical knowledge and clinical experience.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released a Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for MD in General Medicine.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of MD in General Medicine or MD Medicine.

The PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of General Medicine would help the specialist recognize the community's health needs. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their speciality.

The candidate should be a highly competent doctor possessing a broad range of skills that will enable her/him to practice General Medicine independently. The PG candidate should also acquire the basic skills in teaching medical/para-medical students.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops, and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of MD in General Medicine: 

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for MD in General Medicine are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which includes:

• Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

• Candidates should have done a compulsory rotating internship of one year in a teaching institution or other institution which is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.

• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the MBBS Degree courses and compulsory rotatory Internship shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Admission Process

The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to MD in General Medicine. Candidates can view the complete admission process for MD in General Medicine mentioned below:

• The NEET PG or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Post Graduate is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma Courses.

• The requirement of eligibility criteria for participation in counseling towards PG seat allotment conducted by the concerned counseling authority shall be in lieu of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (as per the latest amendment) notified by the MCI (now NMC) with prior approval of MoHFW.

• The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for MD/MS seats through NEET- PG:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi, and other AIIMS

2. PGIMER, Chandigarh

3. JIPMER, Puducherry

4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

Fees Structure

The fee structure for MD in General Medicine varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for MD in General Medicine is around Rs. 38K to 11.5 lakh per annum.

Colleges offering MD in General Medicine

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing MD ( General Medicine).

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering MD ( General Medicine) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

An MD in General Medicine is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of General Medicine.

The course content for MD in General Medicine is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed on the link given below:

Course contents:

Basic Sciences

1. Basics of human anatomy as relevant to clinical practice

• surface anatomy of various viscera

• neuro-anatomy

• important structures/organs location in different anatomical locations in the body

• common congenital anomalies

2. Basic functioning of various organ-system, control of vital functions, patho- physiological alteration in diseased states, interpretation of symptoms and signs in relation to patho-physiology.

3. Common pathological changes in various organs associated with diseases and their correlation with clinical signs; understanding various pathogenic processes andsspioble therapeutic interventions possible at various levels to reverse or arrest the progress of diseases.

4. Knowledge about various microorganisms, their special characteristics important for their pathogenetic potential or of diagnostic help; important organisms associated with tropical diseases, their growth pattern/life cycles, levels of therapeutic interventions possible in preventing and/or eradicating the organisms.

5. Knowledge about pharmacokinetics and pharmaco-dynamics of the drugs used for the management of common problems in a normal person and in patients with diseases kidneys/liver etc. which may need alteration in metabolism/excretion of the drugs; rational use of available drugs.

6. Knowledge about various poisons with specific reference to different geographical and clinical settings, diagnosis and management.

7. Research Methodology and Studies, epidemiology and basic Biostatistics.

8. National Health Programmes.

9. Biochemical basis of various diseases including fluid and electrolyte disorders; Acid base disorders etc.

10. Recent advances in relevant basic science subjects.

Systemic Medicine

11. Preventive and environmental issues, including principles of preventive health care, immunization and occupational, environmental medicine and bio-terrorism.

12. Aging and Geriatric Medicine:

• Biology

• epidemiology

• neuro-psychiatric aspects of aging

13. Clinical Pharmacology:

• principles of drug therapy

• biology of addiction

• complementary and alternative medicine

14. Genetics:

• overview of the paradigm of genetic contribution to health and disease

• principles of Human Genetics

• single gene and chromosomal disorders

• gene therapy

15. Immunology:

• innate and adaptive immune systems

• mechanisms of immune-mediated cell injury

• transplantation immunology

16. Cardio-vascular diseases:

• Approach the patient with possible cardio-vascular diseases

• heart failure

• arrhythmias

• hypertension

• coronary artery disease

• valvular heart disease

• infective endocarditis

• diseases of the myocardium and pericardium

• diseases of the aorta and peripheral vascular system

17. Respiratory system:

• approach to the patient with respiratory disease

• disorders of ventilation

• asthma

• Congenital Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Pneumonia

• pulmonary embolism

• cystic fibrosis

• obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and diseases of the chest wall, pleura and mediastinum

18. Nephrology:

• approach to the patient with renal diseases

• acid-base disorders

• acute kidney injury

• chronic kidney disease

• tubulo-interstitial diseases

• nephrolithiasis

• Diabetes and the kidney

• obstructive uropathy and treatment of irreversible renal failure

19. Gastro-intestinal diseases:

• approach the patient with gastrointestinal diseases

• gastrointestinal endoscopy

• motility disorders

• diseases of the oesophagus

• acid peptic disease

• functional gastrointestinal disorders

• diarrhea

• irritable bowel syndrome

• pancreatitis and diseases of the rectum and anus

20. Diseases of the liver and gall bladder:

• approach to the patient with liver disease

• acute viral hepatitis

• chronic hepatitis

• alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

• cirrhosis and its sequelae

• hepatic failure and liver transplantation

• diseases of the gall bladder and bile ducts

21. Haematologic diseases:

• Haematopoiesis

• Anaemias

• leucopenia and leucocytosis

• myelo-proliferative disorders

• disorders of haemostasis and haemopoietic stem cell transplantation

22. Oncology:

• Epidemiology

• biology and genetics of cancer

• paraneoplastic syndromes and endocrine manifestations of tumours

• leukemias and lymphomas

• cancers of various organ systems and cancer chemotherapy

23. Metabolic diseases - inborn errors of metabolism and disorders of metabolism.

24. Nutritional diseases - nutritional assessment, enteral and parenteral nutrition, obesity and eating disorders.

25. Endocrine - principles of endocrinology, diseases of various endocrine organs including diabetes mellitus.

26. Rheumatic diseases:

• approach to the patient with rheumatic diseases

• osteoarthritis

• rheumatoid arthritis

• spondyloarthropathies

• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

• polymyalgia

• rheumatic fibromyalgia and amyloidosis

27. Infectious diseases:

• Basic consideration in Infectious Diseases

• clinical syndromes

• community acquired clinical syndromes

• Nosocomial infections

• Bacterial diseases - General consideration, diseases caused by gram - positive bacteria, diseases caused by gram - negative bacteria

o miscellaneous bacterial infections

o Mycobacterial diseases

o Spirochetal diseases

o Rickettsia

o Mycoplasma and Chlamydia

o viral diseases

o DNA viruses

o DNA and RNA respiratory viruses

o RNA viruses

• fungal infections, protozoal and helminthic infections

28. Neurology - approach to the patient with neurologic disease, headache, seizure disorders and epilepsy, coma, disorders of sleep, cerebrovascular diseases, Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, motor neuron disease, meningitis and encephalitis, peripheral neuropathies, muscle diseases, diseases of neuromuscular transmission and autonomic disorders and their management.

29. The mental condition characterized by complete self absorption with reduced ability to communicate with the outside world (Autism), abnormal functioning in social interaction with or without repetitive behaviour and/or poor communication etc.

30. Dermatology:

• Structure and functions of skin

• infections of skin

• papulo-squamous and inflammatory skin rashes

• photo-dermatology

• erythroderma

• cutaneous manifestations of systematic diseases

• bullous diseases

• drug induced rashes

• disorders of hair and nails

• principles of topical therapy

Career Options

After completing an MD in General Medicine, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor, etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, physician, Consultant, Visiting Consultant General Medicine, Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant General Medicine, Consultant General Medicine Specialist, counselor etc.

Courses After MD in General Medicine Course

MD in General Medicine is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing MBBS. After pursuing a specialization in MD (General Medicine), a candidate could also pursue super specialization courses recognized by NMC, where MD (General Medicine) is a feeder qualification.

The different DM courses that can be pursued after MD General medicine include Clinical Haematology, Nephrology, Medical Oncology, Endocrinology, Cardiology, Pulmonary Medicine, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Clinical Immunology, Rheumatology, Infectious Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Genetics, Geriatric Mental Health.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) – MD in General Medicine Course

Question: What is an MD in General Medicine?

Answer: MD General Medicine or also known as MD in General Medicine is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS.

Question: What is the duration of an MD in General Medicine?

Answer: MD in General Medicine is a postgraduate programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of an MD in General Medicine?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India.

Question: What is the scope of an MD in General Medicine?

Answer: MD in General Medicine offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for an MD in General Medicine postgraduate candidate?

Answer: The MD in General Medicine candidate's average salary is around Rs. 2 to 12 lakh per year.

Question: What comes under General Medicine?

Answer: General Medicine deals with almost all range of both acute and chronic diseases including fever, asthma, heart disease, liver problems, hypertension, neurological problems, and other ailments.