Becoming a General Physician is a dignified and demanding career choice with around 16,000 medical students pursuing this path yearly. Becoming a General Physician involves vast education and training typically spanning over 5 years.

To be eligible as a General Physician, one must complete an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) followed by a Postgraduate degree (MD) in General Medicine.

Once the medical student obtains an MBBS and MD degree, General Physicians could work in a wide range of settings including Primary Healthcare Centers, Business Organizations, Hospitals, Pharmaceuticals, and nursing homes.

Once General Physicians gets the license they can begin practicing independently. The average salary for General Physicians typically ranges from INR 50,000 to 60,00,000 depending on the years of experience and the nature of their clinical practice.

Steps for Becoming a General Physician

Quick Facts to know

Career as a General Physician

Each year millions of medical students aspire to become doctors, but only 20% of them achieve their goal. The steps to becoming a General Physician is both methodical and precise. It needs selecting the correct the subject combination in class 12th meeting the eligibility criteria for NEET and completing a mandatory internship.

Subject Combination

Candidates of General Physician should be aware that their choice of courses in class 12th will significantly affect their MBBS and MD admissions for 2024. To be eligible for MBBS, students must take Science subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in their 12th grade.

Eligibility Criteria to Become a Doctor

In India candidates must first meet the NEET eligibility criteria to pursue a career as a physician in India. Students who are looking NEET PG, they should review the NEET PG eligibility requirements.

For NEET

• For undergraduate course candidates must be at least 17 years old at the time of admission process.
• The maximum age limit to appear for NEET is 25 years with a relaxation of up to 5 years for SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates.
• Indian students wishing to pursue MBBS abroad must still appear for NEET.
• Indian citizens, Non-Resident Indian (NRIs) and Person of Indian Origin (PIOs) studying MBBS in foreign countries must adhere to regulations set by the state government.

For NEET PG

• Candidates must have completed an MBBS degree and an internship by June 2024.
• Both Indian and foreign citizens who have obtained an MBBS degree from medical colleges abroad and have passed the FMGE Screening Test are eligible to apply for NEET PG 2024.

Entrance Exams Required to Become General Physician

For NEET

• NEET is required to pursue MBBS 5 years
• NEET entrance exam conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).
• MBBS program typically span 5 years.
• NEET exam is held in offline mode, and student must have completed their 12th grade with science stream.
• NEET entrance exam conduct in 11 languages.

For NEET PG

• Conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE).
• Required for pursuing an MD after completing MBBS.
• Administered online in English.
• Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes.
• NEET PG paper divided into 3 sections: Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical.

How to Become a General Physician in India

• Preparation Starts from Early Stage
  • To become a General Physician in India candidates should begin their preparation from 10th standard.
• Class 12th Requirements
  • Must have studies science subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics in class 12th.
• NEET Preparation
  • Start preparing for NEET from class 11th to achieve good scores in each subject.
  • Many institutes offer preparation and guidance for NEET applicants.
• After Class 12th Pathway
  • Clear the NEET entrance examination.
  • Complete a 5-year MBBS course.
  • After MBBS course undertake a 5-month internship.
• After MBBS Training
  • Need to complete one-year internship as a General Physician.
  • Pursue advanced education (MD or MS) for specialized training and qualification.

Courses to Become a General Physician

General Physician in India are a 5.5 years MBBS duration of course, with one year compulsion internship that students need to do within 5.5 years.

MBBS

• To pursue MBBS, medical students need to pass NEET entrance exam.
• For MBBS 50% marks in 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsion subjects. Minimum age for applying in 17 years.
• MBBS course fee ranges from INR 1,000 to 5,00,000
• Top colleges in India for admissions are AIIMS, CMC Vellore, Lady Hardinge Medical College.
• MBBS include 9 semester with key subjects which are Anatomy, Pathology, Pharmacology, Pediatrics, Health & Medicine, Surgery.
• For MBBS admission in foreign student requires bachelor degree in any science stream.
• For admission students requires medical entrance exams (e.g. MCAT) and language tests (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL).
• After MBBS salary ranges from INR 5-12 LPA.

MD

MD in Medicine is a 2 years postgraduates course in pursued after MBBS to become general physician. The eligibility for MD in Medicine is a MBBS degree minimum aggregate marks as required by the colleges.

• For MD admission, medical student need to give NEET PG entrance exam.
• For MD eligibility MBBS degree with minimum aggregate marks as specified by the colleges.
• MD in medicine course fee ranges from INR 10,000 and 15,00,000.
• Top colleges for MD in medicine are CMC Vellore, AFMC Pune, KMC, Mangalore, Lady Hardinge College.
• MD in medicine include vast syllabus such as: Applied basic science Knowledge, Diseases related to General Medicine, Biostatistics and clinical epidemiology, Recent advances in medical science.
• For MD abroad requires MBBS from a recognized institute/university.
• Top countries for pursuing MD: US,UK, New Zealand, China.
• Salary ranges from INR 3-12 LPA for general physician.

List of DM Courses after completing MD Medicine

• DM in Cardiology
• DM in Clinical Haematology
• DM in Clinical Pharmacology
• DM in Endocrinology
• DM in Immunology
• DM in Medical Gastroenterology
• DM in Medical Genetics
• DM in Medical Oncology
• DM in Nephrology
• DM in Neurology
• DM in Neuroradiology

Top Colleges to Pursue DM

• AIIMS, Delhi
• CMC, Vellore
• NIMHANS
• JIPMER
• Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medial Sciences
• KMC, Manipal
• Madras Medical College, Chennai
• KGMU
• St. John’s Medical College
• SRIHER

How to Pursue for General Physician Abroad

Top countries to pursue a career as a general physician abroad are USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. These countries offer MBBS programs with a duration of 5-6 years. To be eligible for MBBS abroad, candidates must:

• Pass class 12th with Biology as main subject.
• Achieve a valid score in NEET.
• Pass the NMAT test.

Eligibility for MBBS Courses

• Candidates must have studies Biology in their previous education.
• Candidates need to take the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT).
• Those who pass the NMAT will be invited for further discussions and interviews for admission.
• Indian medical courses programs abroad also require an internship.
• Acceptable internships for medical college admission abroad include:
  • World Internship
  • ELI Internship
  • Cross-Cultural Solutions
  • Projects Abroad
  • Volunteering Journeys

Colleges offering MBBS Courses in Abroad

Colleges offering MD Courses in Abroad

Top Recruiters for General Physician

• Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre
• Kokilaben Hospital
• Moolchand Hospital, New Delhi
• PGIMER, Chandigarh
• Christian Medical College Vellore, Tamil Nadu
• Tata Memorial Hospital
• Medanta (The Medicity)
• Kasturba Medical College
• All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS)
• Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
• Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi

Job Titles for General Physician

• Primary Care Physician
• Family Medicine Doctor
• Internal Medicine Physician
• Preventive Medicine Specialist
• Hospitalist
• Urgent Care Physician
• Telemedicine Physician
• Academic Physician
• Occupational Health Physician
• Palliative Care Physician

Salary of General Physician

• Government Sector: INR 1,51,500
• Private Sector: INR 56,000

Experience Wise Salary

• Starting Salary per annum: INR 2,46,258
• Mid-Level Salary per annum: INR 5,96,394
• Senior Level Salary per annum: INR 12,10,529

Benefits of a Career as a General Physician

Career options as a general physician has no end, completing MBBS is just the start. MBBS student can also pursue MD or MS to treat a range of patients with different complexities with full of challenges.

Job Security

• Due to increasing number of patients and a shortage of physician, demand for physician is high and growing which result in good job security.

High Pay

• General Physicians are highest paid healthcare professionals globally. In 2018, the median salary for physicians increased by 2.92%, even with the minimal productivity growth.

Career Progression

• This career path offers great opportunities, after completing MBBS, general physician undergo an internship for one year to secure permanent positions in hospitals.
• Education with a master’s degree, gives a diverse range of patients throughout their medical career.

Skills Needed to Become a General Physician

• Critical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Practical Thinking
• Theoretical Knowledge
• Science skills
• Communication skills
• Ability to work long and odd hours
• Patience
• Physical Strength

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are career prospects for a General Physician?

Ans. Career prospects are strong with different opportunities in public hospitals, private practice, and various healthcare settings. Demand for general physicians make sure a stable and rewarding career.

Q2. What courses are important to become a General Physician?

Ans. Important courses include a medical degree (MD or MBBS), clinical postings, and hands on experience through internship and residency programs.

Q3. How does practical experience impact a career in General Medicine?

Ans. Practical experience through clinical postings and internship is important for improving diagnostic and treatment skills, making it essential for career success.

Q4. What job roles are available for General Physician in private practice?

Ans. Roles include primary physician, consultant, and wellness coordinator, offering various responsibilities and greater autonomy compared to public hospitals.

Q5. Why is the role of General Physicians considered crucial in healthcare system?

Ans. General Physicians provide comprehensive care, diagnose and manage a wide range of conditions and rare often the first point of contact making their role vita; in the healthcare system.