Bachelor Courses in Allied Medicine – 5-Year Programs

Allied medicine courses offer a unique opportunity for students interested in traditional and alternative medicine. In India, several professional degrees in allied medicine span five years, integrating theoretical learning with practical training. Some of the most sought-after programs include:

• BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)
• BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery)
• BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences)
• BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery)
• BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery)

These courses focus on holistic approaches to healthcare, emphasizing natural healing, traditional medical practices, and modern medical science.

Eligibility Criteria

To pursue any of these courses, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Completion of Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as core subjects.
• A minimum of 50% aggregate marks (may vary depending on the college and category of the student).
• Proficiency in the respective languages (for BUMS, some universities require a knowledge of Urdu).

Entrance Exams for Admission

Admission to these courses is primarily based on entrance exams. Some of the key entrance exams are:

• NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate): Required for BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, and BSMS admissions in government and private colleges across India.
• State-Level Entrance Exams: Some states conduct their own entrance tests for BNYS and other courses.
• University-Specific Exams: A few universities have separate entrance tests or merit-based admissions.

Top Colleges for Allied Medicine Courses in India

Several reputed institutions offer high-quality education and training in these disciplines. Here are some of the best colleges:

For BAMS:

1. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi
2. National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur
3. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
4. Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar

For BSMS:

1. Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai
2. National Institute of Siddha, Chennai
3. Government Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai

For BNYS:

1. SDM College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Karnataka
2. Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka
3. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi

For BHMS:

1. National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH), Kolkata
2. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Agra
3. Bharati Vidyapeeth Homoeopathic College, Pune

For BUMS:

1. Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
2. Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi
3. Government Unani Medical College, Bengaluru

Career Prospects

Graduates of these courses have diverse career opportunities in both public and private sectors. Some of the prominent career options include:

1. Medical Practitioner

• Graduates can work as licensed practitioners in Ayurveda, Siddha, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, or Unani medicine.
• They can open their own clinics or work in hospitals and wellness centers.

2. Research and Development

• Opportunities in pharmaceutical and herbal product research.
• Work with institutions involved in alternative medicine research.

3. Teaching and Academia

• Teaching positions in medical colleges and universities.
• Pursuing higher studies (MD or PhD) in the respective discipline.

4. Government Jobs

• Work in government hospitals, AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) centers, and National Health Mission programs.
• Become medical officers in state and central government departments.

5. Wellness and Healthcare Industry

• Opportunities in wellness resorts, yoga centers, and naturopathy retreats.
• Employment in health tourism and integrative medicine hospitals.

Bachelor’s degrees in allied medicine offer an excellent career path for students interested in traditional healing systems and alternative medicine. With increasing global interest in holistic healthcare, these fields provide promising career opportunities in both India and abroad. Students should carefully choose their specialization based on their interest, career goals, and the availability of quality education and training institutions.