Career Pathway for Doctors: MBBS to Super Speciality through NEET SS

Embarking on a career in the medical profession is not only rewarding, but also challenging for the doctors. For the doctors, the journey from giving NEET UG to get MBBS to giving Super Speciality (NEET SS) to get DM or MCh is a testament to their consistent effort and dedication towards the betterment of the health sector. Performing your best in the NEET SS is crucial as it is the gateway to advanced medical studies. 

This article will give you a preview regarding the steps required to reach the super speciality degree, how to deal with the various phases and the key points related to NEET SS exam, DM, and MCh courses.

What is the NEET SS?

NEET SS (Super Speciality) is a national-level medical entrance examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) for admission to super speciality courses like DM/MCh across India. 

Eligibility criteria for NEET SS:

The aspirants must have a MD/MS/DNB postgraduate degree to appear for NEET SS. Only the candidates who have completed their post graduation on MD/MS/DNB are eligible to fill in the application form. The students must be registered with the State Medical Council or  National Medical Commission (NMC).

Exam Pattern: 

DM (Doctorate of Medicine)

DM stands for Doctorate of Medicine whereas MD stands for Doctor of Medicine. MD is done after MBBS, whereas DM is a super speciality course pursued by doctors after completing their MD degree. 

It is a 3 year super speciality advanced course done after MD/MS and after qualifying NEET SS which allows the doctors to pursue special DM courses like Cardiology, Neonatology, Endocrinology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Immunology and Medical Oncology. Individuals with a DM degree stand out from the crowd. 

Eligibility criteria:

Candidates wanting to pursue DM courses, must have a Post Graduate (MD/MS) degree. The scores obtained in the NEET SS exam determines the admission to various DM Courses across the country. 

MCh (Master of Chirurgiae)

Master of Chirurgiae is  the highly specialized postdoctoral degree in surgery. The course duration is 3 years. Students wishing to pursue a MCh degree, must have a MD/MS or any equivalent post graduation degree identified by the MCI (Medical Council of India). The admission to the MCh courses is purely done on the merit basis of NEET SS result. 

Some of the most prominent MCh specializations include : General surgery, Cardiac surgery, Neuro surgery, Plastic surgery and many more.

Eligibility criteria

• The candidates must have a MD/MS/DNB or any other equivalent post graduate degree.
• They must be registered with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or State Medical Council.
• The candidates must qualify the NEET SS cut off score.