MD Pathology in India: Check out Admission process, Fees, Medical Colleges to apply, Eligibility Criteria

MD Pathology or Doctor of Medicine in Pathology, also known as MD in Pathology, is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS. The duration of this postgraduate course is 3 years, and it focuses on the study of various concepts related to the field of diagnosis of diseases through the examination of samples from a patient's body. It basically deals with studying the nature and cause of the disease.

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 S V Medical College (Tirupati), GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, (Visakhapatnam), Kurnool Medical College (Kurnool), 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 (Pathology) varies from college to college. The average course fee is Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 12 Lakh per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or pursue a super-specialization course where MD Pathology is a feeder qualification. Candidates can take reputed jobs in positions as Senior residents, Junior Consultants, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 10 lakh – Rs. 13 lakh per annum.

What is MD in Pathology?

Doctor of Medicine in Pathology, also known as M.D. (Pathology) is a three-year postgraduate programme which candidates can pursue after completing their MBBS.

Pathology is the branch of medical science dealing with the study and diagnosis of disease through the examination of surgically removed organs, tissues (biopsy samples), bodily fluids, and in some cases the whole body (autopsy).

The apex medical regulator, National Medical Commission (NMC), has released Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for MD in Pathology.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of MDs in Pathology.

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 Pathology would help the specialist recognize the community's health needs. The student should be able 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 Pathology independently. The post-graduate 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 Pathology:

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Candidates must have 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 Pathology. Candidates can view the complete admission process for MD in Pathology 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 counselling towards PG seat allotment conducted by the concerned counselling authority shall be instead of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (as per the latest amendment) notified by the MCI (now NMC) with prior approval of MoHFW.

S.No.	Category	Eligibility Criteria
1.	General	50th Percentile
2.	SC/ST/OBC (Including PWD of SC/ST/OBC)	40th Percentile
3.	UR PWD	45th Percentile

• 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 Pathology 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 Pathology is Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 12 Lakh per annum.

Colleges offering MD in Pathology

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

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

Syllabus

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

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

Competency Based Training Programme for MD Pathology

Course contents:

The study of Pathologic Anatomy includes all aspects of Pathology as encompassed in the branches of General and Systemic Pathology. Only the broad outlines are provided.

A) General Pathology:

Normal cell and tissue structure and function. The changes in cellular structure and function in disease. Causes of disease and its pathogenesis. The reaction of cells, tissues, organ systems and the body as a whole to various sublethal and lethal injuries.

B) Systemic Pathology:

The study of normal structure and function of various organ systems and the aetiopathogenesis, gross and microscopic alterations of the structure of these organ systems in disease and functional correlation with clinical features.

C) Haematology

The study of Haematology includes all aspects of the diseases of the blood and bone marrow. This would involve the study of the normal, the causes of diseases and the changes thereof.

1. Laboratory Medicine (Clinical Biochemistry/Clinical Pathology including Parasitology).

2. Transfusion Medicine (Blood Banking).

3. The student is expected to acquire a general acquaintance of techniques and principles and to interpret data in the following fields.

a) Immunopathology

b) Electron microscopy

c) Histochemistry

d) Immunohistochemistry

e) Cytogenetics

f) Molecular Biology

g) Maintenance of records

h) Information retrieval, use of Computer and Internet in medicine.

i) Quality control, waste disposal

It is difficult to give a precise outline of the Course Contents for post-graduate training. A postgraduate is supposed to acquire not only the professional competence of a well-trained specialist but also academic maturity, a capacity to reason and critically analyse scientific data as well as to keep himself abreast of the latest developments in the field of Pathology and related sciences. A brief outline of what is expected to be learnt during the MD Course is given under each head.

Surgical Pathology

Knowledge

• The student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the histogenetic and pathophysiologic processes associated with various lesions.
• Should be able to identify problems in the laboratory and offer viable solutions.

Autopsy Pathology

Knowledge

• Should be aware of the technique of autopsy.
• Should have sufficient understanding of various disease processes so that a meaningful clinicopathological correlation can be made.
• Demonstrate ability to perform a complete autopsy independently with some physical assistance, correctly following the prescribed instructions. Correctly identify all major lesions which have caused, or contributed to the patient's death, on macroscopic examination alone and on microscopy in at least 90% of the autopsies in an average teaching hospital.
• In places where non-medico-legal autopsies are not available each student should be made to observe at least five medico-legal autopsies.
• Write correctly and systematically Provisional and Final Anatomic Diagnosis reports.

Cytopathology

Knowledge

• Should possess the background necessary for the evaluation and reporting of cytopathology specimens.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the following, keeping in mind the indication for the test.

(i) Choice of the site from which smears may be taken

(ii) Type of samples

(iii) Method of obtaining various specimens (urine sample, gastric smear, colonic lavage etc.)

(iv) Be conversant with the principles and preparation of solutions of stains

Haematology

Knowledge

• Should demonstrate the capability of utilising the principles of the practice of Haematology for the planning of tests, interpretation and diagnosis of diseases of the blood and bone marrow.
• Should be conversant with various equipments used in the Haematology laboratory.
• Should have knowledge of automation and quality assurance in Haematology.
• Correctly plan a strategy of investigating at least 90% of the cases referred for special investigations in the Hematology Clinic and give ample justification for each step in consideration of the relevant clinical data provided.

Laboratory Medicine

Knowledge

• Possess knowledge of the normal range of values of the chemical content of body fluids, the significance of the altered values and their interpretation.
• Possess knowledge of the principles of following specialized organ function tests and the relative utility and limitations of each and the significance of the altered values.

(i) Renal function tests

(ii) Liver function tests

(iii) Pancreatic function tests

(iv) Endocrine function tests

(v) Tests for malabsorption

• Know the principles, advantages and disadvantages, scope and limitation of automation in the laboratory.
• Know the principles and methodology of quality control in the laboratory.

Transfusion Medicine (Blood Banking)

Knowledge

The student should possess knowledge of the following aspects of Transfusion Medicine.

• Basic Immunology
• ABO and Rh groups
• Clinical significance of other blood groups
• Transfusion therapy includes the use of whole blood and RBC concentrates
• Blood component therapy
• The rationale of pre-transfusion testing.
• Infections are transmitted in blood.
• Adverse reactions to transfusion of blood and components
• Quality control in blood bank

Basic Sciences (in relation to Pathology)

a) Immunopathology Knowledge

• Demonstrate familiarity with the current concepts of structure and function of the immune system, its aberrations and mechanisms thereof.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the scope, principles, limitations and interpretations of the results of the following procedures employed in clinical and experimental studies relating to immunology.

(a) ELISA techniques

(b) Radioimmunoassay

(c) HLA typing

•  Interpret simple immunological tests used in the diagnosis of diseases and in research procedures.

(i) Immunoelectrophoresis

(ii) Immunofluorescence techniques especially on kidney and skin biopsies

(iii) Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA)

(iv) Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)

b) Electron Microscopy

Knowledge

• Demonstrate familiarity with the principles and techniques of electron microscopy and the working of an electron microscope (including Transmission and Scanning Electron microscope: TEM and SEM)
• Recognise the appearance of the normal subcellular organelles and their common abnormalities (when provided with appropriate photographs).

c) Enzyme Histochemistry

Knowledge

• Should be familiar with the principles, use and interpretation of common enzyme histochemical procedures (Alkaline Phosphatase, Acid Phosphatase, Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, Chloroacetate Esterase).

d) Immunohistochemistry

Knowledge

•  Demonstrate familiarity with the principles and exact procedures of various immunohistochemical stains using both PAP (Peroxidase-anti peroxidase) and AP-AAP (Alk. Phosphatase-anti-Alk. Phosphatase) ABC (Avidin-Biotin Conjugate) systems; employing monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.
• Be aware of the limitations of immunohistochemistry.

e) Molecular Biology

Knowledge

• Should understand the principles of molecular biology especially related to the understanding of disease processes and their use in various diagnostic tests.
• Should be conversant with the principle and steps and interpretation of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Western Blot, Southern Blot, Northern Blot and Hybridisation) procedures.

f) Cytogenetics

Knowledge

• Demonstrate familiarity with methods of Karyotyping and Fluorescent in-situ Hybridisation (FISH).

g) Tissue Culture

Knowledge

• Demonstrate familiarity with methods of tissue culture.

h) Principles of Medical Statistics

Knowledge

Demonstrate familiarity with the importance of statistical methods in assessing data from patient material and experimental studies.

Career Options

After completing an MD in Pathology, 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, Consultant, Visiting Consultant Pathology, Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant Pathology, Consultant Pathology Specialist, etc.

Courses After MD in Pathology Course

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

DM Clinical Haematology and DM Onco Pathology are some of the courses that require an MD (Pathology) as a feeder qualification

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) – MD in Pathology Course

Question: What is an MD in Pathology?

Answer: MD Pathology or also known as MD in Pathology 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 Pathology?

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

Question: What is the eligibility of an MD in Pathology?

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 Pathology?

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

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

Answer: The MD in Pathology candidate's average salary is Rs. 10 lakh – Rs. 13 lakh per annum.

Question: Is a Pathologist a Doctor?

Answer: Clinical pathologists are also physicians who specialize in the field of diagnosis and with the help of laboratory tests, they manage diseases on the basis of the research.