DM (Doctorate of Medicine) Course, Admission 2024, Eligibility, Syllabus, Career

Doctorate of Medicine (DM) is a three-year super-specialty course in the medical field. More than 133 recognised colleges in India offer Doctorate of Medicine programmes in different specialisations. The number of seats available in D.M. Colleges in India is 1615.

Specialities where students can pursue D.M. programmes are Cardiology, Oncology, Clinical Haematology, Clinical Immunology, Endocrinology, Infectious Disease, and Neonatology. D.M. is a doctorate-level degree programme that students can pursue after MD or MS. The D.M. admissions are offered based on entrance exams such as NEET SS and INI CET.

What is the Full Form of DM?

The D.M. full form is Doctorate of Medicine. Since it is a doctorate-level course, candidates can pursue it after completing their postgraduate medical courses. The average Doctorate of Medicine fees range between Rs 5,000 and Rs 87 lakhs.

Highlights - Doctorate of Medicine (D.M.)

Doctorate of Medicine Fee Structure

The fee for the DM programme differs depending on universities and colleges. The DM fees in government colleges are lesser than the fees charged in private DM colleges. The fees of a Doctorate in Medicine (DM) course in India range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 87 lakhs.

Why Choose DM?

Since D.M. offers specialisation in the medical field, individuals with this degree stand out from the crowd. An individual with a DM degree can find various high-paid job opportunities in both public and private sectors. A DM degree holder can pursue a wide range of careers like Geneticist, Oncologist, Physician, Clinical Pharmacologist, Cardiologist, Gastroenterologist, Neurologist, and Radiologist.

Doctorate of Medicine Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a DM course, candidates must have completed a PG degree in the Medical field. The admission takes place on a merit basis. The marks scored by the students in State entrance exams decide the admission to DM courses. The national competitive exam score is also important to get admission to the course.

The cumulative score of national and state examinations is considered when the candidate has passed the same university. A candidate must have at least 50 per cent in the entrance exam and SC, ST, or OBC should have passed with at least 40 per cent.

Skills Required for Doctorate of Medicine course

Candidates looking to enroll in Doctorate of Medicine courses are required to possess a set of skills. Students with these skills can adapt better to the course curriculum.

Diagnosis Skill - Anyone opting for DM must know how to examine and diagnose diseases based on their symptoms.

Teamwork - A Doctorate of Medicine aspirant should be able to work productively in teams. There might be times when the individual might have to work in a team to perform specific medical procedures.

Perseverance - Being a Doctor requires a lot of patience and hard work. Any Doctorate holder should be perseverant. He/she must be ready to work for longer hours.

Communication Skill - One must be able to communicate well. He or she also must be an attentive listener to understand the problems of the patients.

Knowledge of Modern Treatment Techniques - A candidate must know about modern treatment techniques to provide better treatment.

Doctorate of Medicine Application Process

Admission to the DM course takes place through an entrance exam. Both government and private medical colleges conduct these examinations. A minimum of 50 per cent is required for a student to apply for the course. NEET SS and INI CET exams are considered by colleges for admissions of candidates to a Doctorate of Medicine programme.

Doctorate of Medicine Entrance Examination

NEET SS - It is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). NEET SS is conducted for super-speciality courses including Doctorate of Medicine (DM).

INI CET - The Institute of National Importance Common Entrance Test (INI CET) is conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi. This entrance test is held for various medical courses including Doctorate of Medicine (DM).

Doctorate of Medicine Selection process

Theory - It tests the theoretical knowledge of applicants. There are 4 theory papers included in this section. Candidates must score at least 50 per cent in this section to pass the exam.

Oral and Practical - This section tests the practical and oral knowledge of applicants. Similar to the theory section, candidates are also required to score a minimum of 50 per cent marks in this section.

Doctorate of Medicine Cut-Off

Admission to a doctorate course in medicine takes place based on merit and entrance exams. The cut-off is used to determine the student's merit for admission to DM colleges. NEET SS cut-off is the major criteria that every Doctorate of Medicine college accepts for the M.D. admission process. AIIMS consider the INI CET cut-off for their DM courses.

Top DM Colleges Accepting NEET Exam

In the table below, we have mentioned some of the colleges that accept the NEET SS exam for their Doctorate of Medicine programmes.

Top D.M. Colleges by Location

Candidates who are seeking admission to the Doctorate of Medicine can check the list of top colleges by their locations that offer the DM courses.

Doctorate of Medicine Syllabus

The syllabus of the Doctorate of Medicine programme can differ depending on the specialisation students enroll in. It covers practical and research-based subjects such as Basic Science and General Oncology, Clinical Oncology, Palliative care, and Oncologic emergencies. The table below shows the subjects covered in a DM (Medical Oncology) syllabus.

DM Specialisations

There are various specialisations offered in a Doctorate of Medicine. Students can choose and specialise in their area of choice after completing the programme. Listed below are some of the DM specialisations.

• DM Cardiology
• DM Endocrinology
• DM Clinical Hematology
• DM Clinical Pharmacology
• DM Immunology
• DM Clinical Pharmacology
• DM Neonatology
• DM Medical Oncology

What After Doctorate in Medicine?

After completing a Doctorate of Medicine, students can start working as a Doctor. A traditional route is to opt for academic medicine where DM degree holders can invest time towards research and patient treatment.

DM Career Opportunities

Pursuing a Doctorate in Medicine provides students with numerous career opportunities. DM degree holders can work in hospitals and clinics as Doctors. There are also various opportunities available for graduates in research and educational institutes. Some career opportunities after DM are as follows:

Cardiologist - A Cardiologist is responsible for diagnosing and treating patients with diseases in the heart and blood vessels.

Neurologist - A Neurologist is a professional responsible for diagnosing and treating patients with problems in the central nervous system i.e. the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system.

Oncologist - An Oncologist is a specialist in treating patients suffering from cancer. He or she is also responsible for treating the disease with the help of different treatments like Chemotherapy.

Immunologist - An Immunologist is responsible for researching the human immune system. He or she is also required to work on developing new vaccines, medicines, and therapies that can aid patients suffering from ailments.

Clinical Pharmacologist - Clinical Pharmacologists are medical professionals who are required to be an integral part of the research that helps them comprehend how various chemical substances interact with the body. They are also responsible for developing drugs and testing them.

Top Recruiters of Doctorate of Medicine

A Doctorate of Medicine degree holder can find various job opportunities in top companies at national and international levels. Some of the top recruiters for DM degree holders are listed below:

• AIIMS
• Fortis
• MAX
• Apollo
• Columbia Asia Referral Hospital

Doctorate of Medicine Salary

The salary of an individual with a DM degree varies depending on the level of experience and specialisation. The following table shows the DM salary based on different job profiles.

Doctorate of Medicine Employment Areas

A D.M. holder has various job opportunities in both government and private sectors. They can start a clinic or hospital or work in nursing homes, business organisations, schools and embassies. Some of the employment areas where Doctorate of Medicine graduates can find opportunities are as follows:

• Primary health centres
• Railways
• NGOs
• Armed forces
• Healthcare facilities

Top Private DM Colleges in India

Several private colleges in India offer Doctorate of Medicine courses in different specialisations. Students can enroll in their chosen colleges after meeting the eligibility criteria. The following table lists some of the top private DM colleges in India.

Top Government DM Colleges in India

There are several government colleges and universities that offer DM courses in India. The fees in government colleges are lower than the fees charged in private colleges. The following table lists some of the top government DM colleges in India.

A Doctorate of Medicine (DM) is a professional degree in medicine that allows students to specialise in their area of choice. After completion, a DM degree holder can work in government and private healthcare institutions as an Endocrinologist, Immunologist, Cardiologist, and Physician.