DM [Doctorate of Medicine]: Course Details, Eligibility, Fees, Admission

Kripal Thapa

Updated on - Jan 4, 2023

DM or Doctorate of Medicine is a three year super-speciality advanced degree that doctors who want to continue their education and seek careers in research in their respective disciplines can enrol in. Only candidates who have completed a post-graduate degree in medical science, such as an M.S. or PG Medical Diploma, are eligible to enrol in these courses. Government stipends for DM students who attend the best DM colleges are greater. Some of the top job profiles are pharmacologist, research scientist, science writer, physiotherapist, therapeutic radiographer, etc.   

About DM Course

DM Full Form stands for Doctorate of Medicine. After finishing their postgraduate medical course, students pursue a three-year doctorate-level degree programme. Candidates who enrol in the programme thoroughly understand super speciality degree-level talents, including theoretical, clinical, and practical abilities. DM course duration is generally three years.

The only candidates who can pursue a DM as a super speciality degree are those who have earned their MD or MS. The candidate can begin working as a doctor once they have earned their doctorate in medicine. The conventional path is to choose academic medicine, where patients are treated for half the time and research is conducted for the other half.

DM Eligibility Criteria

Students who want to enrol in the course, DM eligibility requires them to have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 55% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects. In addition, as they can change depending on the exam and expertise, candidates are recommended to confirm their eligibility with the college or organisation in charge of administering the entrance exam. Students who fall under the "reserved" category and those with impairments may also get a break.

Who Should Pursue a DM Course?

DM is for students who want to get into a new field that provides a wide range of options for expertise and employment. Candidates who have patience and humbleness along with the ability to handle stress are apt for the course. 

When To Do a DM Course?

After completing an MBBS, candidates who feel like pursuing further studies can opt for a DM. 

How To Get Admission to DM?

The candidate's performance on the qualifying exam determines whether they are admitted full-time to the DM programme. Whether a candidate is accepted into the programme is determined by how well they perform on an admission exam at the federal, state, or college level. Candidates must also meet the minimal requirements for DM eligibility, which include obtaining a doctorate degree and performing well on the test.

Even though the DM admissions procedure varies from institution to college, the normal actions one should take to obtain admission are stated below.

How to Apply?

In preparation for the COVID issue, the majority of institutions are transitioning their admissions processes entirely online. Students must go to the official websites of the universities they are going to in order to begin the application process. Students may also enrol offline by visiting the college of their choosing and submitting an application in person along with the required documentation.

Selection Process

Students must take the entrance test to be considered for selection based on admission. Following that, applicants are eligible for the next round of admission. Depending on the college, the following admissions processes change.

DM Specializations

There are many specialities available in the DM programme. The various specialisations provided by different colleges in India that offer the Doctor of Medicine (DM) programme are tabulated below. It's possible that some colleges don't offer all of the courses listed here. However, the majority of them may be found in India's leading universities that offer DM degrees.

• Cardiac - Anaesthesiology
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology & Metabolism
• Clinical Hematology
• Medical Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Neonatology
• Pediatric Neurology
• Neuro-Radiology
• Nephrology
• Neuro-Anaesthesiology
• Neurology
• Medical Genetics
• Immunology
• Clinical Pharmacology

Types of DM Courses

Both full-time and part-time options are available to aspirants for the course. The several DM course types are detailed below:

Full-Time DM Course

The DM programme is two years and full-time. In this subject, practical expertise trumps academic understanding. The advantage of a full-time course is that students can gain much more exposure, experience, and knowledge through close contact with other students and teachers. DM is a four-semester full-time programme.

Part-Time DM Course

Students who are unable to attend regular classes should enrol in the part-time DM course. The programme lasts for three years. The benefit of taking a part-time course is that students can do so while also working, going to school, etc. Some institutions offer part-time or distance learning DM programmes. But the Faculty of Medicine's 4-year part-time DM degree is currently only available outside of India.

Distance DM Course

The distance DM programme for three years is not provided in colleges/institutions because some colleges aren’t able to provide long-distance learning for any students. Therefore, distance Doctorate education is an excellent alternative if you lack the time or the money to pursue a Doctorate full-time.

Popular Entrance Exams for DM

To be accepted into the DM programme, applicants must pass the admissions tests. The institution in charge of administering the entrance exam may choose to set the requisite cut-off scores. Those who pass the DM entrance exam will be able to participate in the final selection process. The following are some of the most well-liked DM admission tests:

• NEET-SS
• AIIMS PG
• JIPMER
• BHU

A Quick Glance at the DM Entrance Exams

The requirements for taking the entry above exams vary depending on the organisation administering them, therefore they are entirely dependent on them. The following are some general recommendations for admissions tests:

• The exam can be offline or online.
• The exam duration is 3 hours.
• The question paper is set in English.
• Questions will be MCQ based
• There may be negative marking schemes.

Top DM Colleges in India

India is home to some of the best DM universities. Candidates have a variety of choices when it comes to the best Medicine education, depending on their preferences. Depending on the sort of Medicine curriculum offered, candidates must choose wisely. Below is the list of the best DM Colleges in India:

Top DM Colleges in Delhi

India’s capital city is home to some of the best institutions for DM in India. Check the table below for the top DM colleges in Delhi:

Top DM Colleges in Mumbai

Mumbai also has some of the best institutions for DM in India. Check the table below for the top DM colleges in Mumbai:

Top DM Colleges in Pune

Pune is home to some of the premier institutions for DM in India. Check the table below for the best DM colleges in Pune:

Top DM Colleges in Bangalore

The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top DM programmes. Check the table below for the best DM colleges in Bangalore:

Top DM Colleges in Chennai

The capital city of Tamil Nadu has some of the best colleges for DM courses in India. Check the table below for the best DM colleges in Chennai:

Top DM Colleges in Kolkata

The Capital City of West Bengal has some premier institutions in the country for DM. Check the table below for top colleges for Doctorate in Medicine in Jaipur:

Top DM Government Colleges

There are several top Government Colleges offering quality DM programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top DM government colleges in India:

Top DM Private Colleges

India has seen significant growth in the number of quality DM private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top Doctorate in Medicine private colleges in India:

Study DM Abroad

DM course duration of the programme is at least three years but can be longer depending on the type of course, the college, and the country. When enrolled in DM programmes overseas, students get access to some of the best facilities, lecturers, and resources.

Having a Doctorate in Medicine from a foreign university would help the students prepare with the knowledge that is helpful in various sectors of the field. Medicine Undergraduate degree holders have two more career options available to them.

It is to ensure that students can gain both intellectual and practical competence from the course. Below are a few of the top DM programmes offered abroad, together with crucial tuition details:

Top DM Colleges Abroad

The table below contains the list of some of the best colleges abroad for DM:

Top DM Colleges in the USA

The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch DM programmes in the world. The table below contains the list of top colleges for DM in the USA:

Top DM Colleges in the UK

The UK has institutions that date back to the 13th century. This makes the UK one of the best destinations for pursuing Medicine. The table below shows the top colleges for DM in UK:

Top DM Colleges in Canada

Known for Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for DM programmes in the world. The table below shows the top universities in Canada for DM:

Top DM Colleges in Australia

For many students, Australia, also known as the 'Land Down Under,' has emerged as one of the top locations for higher education. The list of top colleges for DM in Australia are as follows:

Fee Structure for DM

The DM fee is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the DM fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average DM course fee in India is around INR 3 - 20 LPA.

Syllabus and Subjects for DM

A theoretical and internal study technique are both provided to students in the DM degree. The skills necessary for Medicine can be learned by students. There is a defined format for the DM programme. The general subjects that will be covered in the course are listed below:

• Applied basic science knowledge
• Diseases with reference to General Medicine
• Recent advances in Medicine
• Biostatistics and clinical epidemiology
• Diagnostic investigation and procedures
• Monitoring seriously ill patients
• Counselling patients and relatives
• Ability to teach undergraduate students
• DM in Immunology
• DM in Medical Gastroenterology
• DM in Medical Genetics
• Nephrology

Read More: DM Syllabus and Subjects

Why Choose DM Course?

Before enrolling in a Medicine course, prospective students should become as knowledgeable as possible about the subject matter. By breaking the question "Why to choose DM?" into three manageable parts, the answer is made clearer:

What is a DM All About?

A professional postgraduate course is the DM. Students learn about the idea behind Cardiology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Paediatrics, Cardiology, etc., and the idea that it can be used to the fullest extent possible. Medicine is essential to developments in sectors including valuable intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, argumentation and skills.

What Does a DM Graduate Do?

After receiving their degrees, they will be able to create, society, and analytical skills. Medicine is essential to developments in sectors including Geneticist, Oncologist, Physician, Clinical Pharmacologist, Cardiologist, Gastroenterologist, Neurologist, Radiologist and many more. Students who graduate will be skilled communicators. Here are a few of the most typical characteristics:

• General practitioners: A wide variety of ailments are treated by general practitioners (GPs). Patients of different ages and types are seen by them. They offer patient consultations both before and after the procedure and at home. They do physical exams and diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. They are the medical professionals who identify and aid in the prevention of illnesses and injuries that commonly affect people.

Reasons Why a DM Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?

After earning a Doctorate in Medicine, both fresher and experienced professionals can pursue a variety of career opportunities. It depends on a person's aptitudes, academic performance, skills, and experience. Some of the reasons are

Demand: A DM is a great career choice for those with a lot of imagination and ideas. Medicine with the necessary skills is in high demand in developing nations like India to fill positions at critical manufacturing divisions in both private and public sector enterprises. Local businesses now require qualified professionals due to the worldwide supply chain networks. 

Career Growth: Graduates of DM can choose from a variety of positions. After accumulating Medicine expertise, candidates can grow in their jobs.

Skill Development: Students get a lot of opportunities in enhancing their design and creativity skills that are required in the DM.

Read More: DM Jobs & Scope

DM Course Comparison

Each Doctorate programme teaches the fundamentals of business. These are some fundamental Medicine talents that, when combined with work-specific skills based on core functions and concentrations, will help you land a solid position. Below is a comparison of the DM course with the other courses.

DM vs DM in Cardiology 

The table below showcases the differences between DM and MD:

Read More: DM in Cardiology

Preparation Tips for DM Course

When choosing to pursue a Doctorate in Medicine, students should take a number of things into consideration. The following collection of essential study tips can help students succeed in their studies so they can pass the course and the tests.

Syllabus: The student must fully comprehend the course syllabus. This is the first and most crucial step in the preparation process.

Exam Pattern: Recognize exam structure and the types of questions that are frequently asked. There is a very good chance that the students will be given multiple-choice questions. 

Important topics: Students should focus more on important topics because they are asked about them more frequently. As you read through the chapters, you must keep in mind these sections.  

Practice: Utilize sample exams and test questions from prior years to prepare for questions.

Salary of DM Graduate

Depending on the specialisation that candidates choose, the pay for DM graduates varies. In addition to experience, geography, and the industry they work in, DM salaries in India may also be influenced by several other variables.

Graduates can increase their DM salary as they obtain more work experience. Starting salaries for DM positions often range from INR 3 to 30 LPA.  [Source: PayScale].

Read More: DM Salary

Career Options After DM Graduation

For DM students, there are many positions available in both the public and private sectors. The job roles will change depending on the specialisation one has chosen. Numerous job possibilities with competitive pay packages are available for DM graduates in the following job profiles:

• Immunologist
• Clinical Pharmacologist
• Cardiologists
• Neurologists
• Oncologist

Skills That Make You The Best DM Graduate

A graduate degree in Medicine has different course requirements depending on the university and programme you choose. Students that take Medicine courses will also get expertise in that area. Effective communication, time management abilities, critical and analytical thinking, and self-learning are among them. These abilities are necessary for professionals who operate alone or in teams on projects that involve a lot of labour and provide a range of challenges. Some of the abilities that DM students should have:

• Attentive
• Interpersonal Skills
• Quantitative Aptitude
• Initiative 
• Communication skills 

Top DM [Doctorate of Medicine] Colleges

BHU

Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Manipal University)

Manipal,Karnataka

Delhi University (DU)

Delhi,Delhi NCR

SOA University

Bhubaneswar,Odisha

SRM University

Kanchipuram,Tamil Nadu

KGMU

Lucknow,Uttar Pradesh

Sri Ramachandra University / Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai

Chennai,Tamil Nadu

AIIMS Delhi

Delhi,Delhi NCR

VIEW ALL

DM Fee Structure

See Various DM Colleges in India