BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) is the basic degree in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine.
Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology.
Admission to BAMS is through NEET UG, held by NTA. Colleges cannot admit on any other test.
Overview
BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) is the basic degree in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. You study Ayurvedic texts and principles along with modern anatomy, physiology and clinical subjects, and you work in an Ayurveda hospital during training. The course is regulated by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), under the Ministry of Ayush. Admission is through NEET UG. The All India Ayush Central Counselling Committee (AACCC) handles all-India seats, and states handle their own seats.
At a glance
Eligibility
Typical pattern. The official notice for the current year is final.
- Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology.
- You must qualify NEET UG, named for BAMS in the bulletin. The 2026 qualifying mark is the 50th percentile for General and General-EWS, 40th for SC, ST and OBC (non-creamy layer), and 45th for General with benchmark disability.
- Age: 17 years on or before 31 December of the year of admission is the rule used for undergraduate medical courses. Check the NCISM notice for the year you apply.
- Minimum marks in Class 12 Physics, Chemistry and Biology: these were earlier 50% for General and 40% for reserved categories. News reports say NCISM removed this requirement from 2025. We could not read the NCISM notice, so check the current NCISM and counselling notice.
- The central government can lower the NEET UG qualifying percentile for a year. Check the notice of the year.
- State counselling may add domicile and category rules, which differ by state.
Entrance exams for this course
Entrance and counselling
- Admission to BAMS is through NEET UG, held by NTA. Colleges cannot admit on any other test.
- AACCC (All India Ayush Central Counselling Committee) is the counselling authority for the all-India quota seats of BAMS, BUMS and BSMS, as stated in the NEET UG bulletin.
- State governments run counselling for their state quota seats and for private college seats, with their own domicile and reservation rules.
- Central and deemed Ayurveda universities and institutions have their own seats and counselling arrangements through AACCC or their own notices.
- Private colleges can have management or NRI seats. The process and fees are set by the state or the institution.
- Counselling is done in rounds with registration, choice filling, allotment and reporting. Dates are in the AACCC and state notices.
- Colleges must be permitted by NCISM. Before you take a seat, check that the college is recognised for the year.
Admission process
The usual journey, step by step. Dates and rules for the current year are on the official notice.
- 1Check eligibilityConfirm subjects, age and NEET UG rules in the NEET UG bulletin and NCISM notice
- 2Apply for NEET UGRegister on the NTA site and pay the fee shown there
- 3Appear for the examTake the pen and paper NEET UG test
- 4Get the score and rankCheck that you are above the qualifying percentile for your category
- 5Register for counsellingRegister on the AACCC portal and your state Ayush portal
- 6Fill and lock choicesList colleges in order of preference and lock them by the date given
- 7Seat allotment and reportingAccept the seat and report to the college with original documents
Documents
- Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and certificates
- NEET scorecard and admit card
- Photo ID (Aadhaar / passport)
- Passport-size photographs
- Domicile / residence certificate (for state quota)
- Category, EWS or PwD certificate, if applicable
- Migration / transfer / school-leaving certificate
- Medical fitness certificate, when asked
- Counselling registration, choice-filling and allotment letters
- Fee payment receipts
Read the document preparation guide →
What you study
- Samskrit and basic principles of Ayurveda (Padartha Vigyan and Ayurveda Itihas)
- Sharir Rachana (anatomy) and Sharir Kriya (physiology)
- Dravyaguna (study of medicinal plants and drugs) and Rasashastra (preparation of medicines)
- Roga Nidana (diagnosis and disease study) and modern pathology
- Agad Tantra (toxicology) and Vyavahar Ayurveda (medical law)
- Kayachikitsa (internal medicine) and Panchakarma (cleansing treatments)
- Shalya Tantra (surgery) and Shalakya Tantra (eye, ear, nose, throat and dental)
- Prasuti and Stri Roga (obstetrics and gynaecology) and Kaumarbhritya (child health)
- Swasthavritta (preventive and community health, yoga) and research methodology
Year by year
- Basic subjects: Ayurveda principles, Samskrit, anatomy, physiology and Dravyaguna
- Introduction to the course and to Ayurveda hospital work
- Rasashastra, Roga Nidana, Agad Tantra and Vyavahar Ayurveda
- Early clinical postings
- Kayachikitsa, Panchakarma, Shalya Tantra, Shalakya Tantra, Prasuti and Stri Roga, Kaumarbhritya and Swasthavritta
- Larger share of clinical training
- One year of compulsory internship in recognised hospitals
- Degree is awarded after the internship
Skills you build
Careers and next steps
- Ayurveda doctor in government Ayush hospitals and dispensaries, after registration
- Private practice or a wellness clinic with a state registration
- Postgraduate study in Ayurveda (MD or MS Ayurveda), through the entrance exam notified at that time
- Medical officer in Ayush departments of state or central governments
- Teaching and research in Ayurveda colleges after postgraduate study
- Roles in Ayurvedic drug and herbal product companies
- Panchakarma and wellness centres
- Research on medicinal plants and traditional medicine
Is it for you?
A good fit if
- You are interested in traditional Indian medicine and its ideas of diet and lifestyle
- You are comfortable studying texts and terms in Samskrit
- You like both reading and hands-on treatment
- You are fine working within the Ayush system and its scope of practice
Think twice if
- You want to practise modern (allopathic) medicine. The legal scope of practice for a BAMS doctor is set by law and by each state, and you should check it
- Job openings and earnings vary a lot by location and sector. Do not rely on stories from one place
- The college must be recognised for the year. Check this on the NCISM list before paying anything
- Private college fees differ, so understand the full course cost and what is included
- The postgraduate exam and seats follow the rules of the year. Find out before the course ends
Common mistakes to avoid
- Locking choices without checking fees, bond and quota conditions
- Missing a reporting or registration deadline
- Ignoring state domicile and category rules
- Not keeping attested copies and a spare document set ready
- Trusting rumours or social media instead of the official notice
- Paying anyone for a "guaranteed seat"
Colleges to explore
Listings show name and location. Fees and cut-offs are shown only when verified from official sources.
AIIMS New Delhi
New Delhi, Delhi
Institute of National ImportanceAIIMS Bhopal
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Institute of National ImportanceAIIMS Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Institute of National ImportanceAIIMS Jodhpur
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Institute of National ImportanceAIIMS Patna
Patna, Bihar
Institute of National ImportanceAIIMS Raipur
Raipur, Chhattisgarh
All Medical & Health Sciences colleges →
Official sources to check
- NTA NEET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletinneet.nta.nic.in
- Ministry of Ayushayush.gov.in
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)mcc.nic.in
Frequently asked questions
Is NEET UG compulsory for BAMS?
Yes. The NEET UG 2026 bulletin states that admission to BAMS, BUMS and BSMS is through NEET UG under the NCISM Act, 2020.
Who conducts counselling for BAMS?
AACCC conducts counselling for the all-India quota seats. State authorities conduct counselling for state and private seats of their state.
How long is BAMS?
The course is generally 4.5 years of study plus a year of internship, about 5.5 years in total. Check the current NCISM regulations and the college prospectus to confirm.
Are there minimum marks in Class 12 for BAMS?
Earlier rules asked for 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with a lower figure for reserved categories. Reports say NCISM removed this from 2025. Check the current NCISM and counselling notices.
Can a BAMS graduate use the title doctor?
Yes, as a registered Ayurveda practitioner. The medicines and procedures you may use are decided by law and by the state. Learn these before you choose the course.
Can I study BAMS after Class 12 without Biology?
No. Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology in Class 12 are required, and NEET UG must be passed.
What is the difference between BAMS and MBBS?
BAMS is based on Ayurveda along with modern basic sciences, regulated by NCISM. MBBS is based on modern medicine, regulated by NMC. The scope of practice differs.
Does Padhaidekho guarantee admission?
No. Admission depends on the official counselling authority, your eligibility and merit. We guide you, verify information against official notices and keep you on track.
How Padhaidekho helps
We review your eligibility against the current official notice, build a ranked options list, keep your documents and deadlines on track and stay with you through every round. Fees and service scope are shared in writing before you enrol.
Related courses
UGBHMS
Homoeopathy undergraduate admission through AYUSH counselling.
UGBUMS
Unani medicine undergraduate admission through AYUSH counselling.
UGMBBS
The core medical undergraduate degree, through NEET-UG based counselling.
UGBPT
Physiotherapy admission; the process varies by state and university.
Explore more courses
More in Medical & Health Sciences
Other fields
Content checked against the official sources above in 2026-10. Rules, dates and eligibility change every cycle: always confirm on the official notice. This page is general guidance, not legal advice or an admission guarantee.