Alternative Medicine- Introduction, Disciplines, Career Scopes, Admission process and Course fees

INTRODUCTION

Medical treatment of our body is done in two forms- Modern Medicine & Traditional Medicine (or Alternative Medicine). Both of them have their own importance.
The practice of modern medicine was started just 200- 300 hundred years ago. It is still under progress and is considered as most advanced and successful type of treatment.
The practice of traditional medicines have a long ranging history (thousands of years ago), and are majorily based on ancient texts and principles for treatment of patients. In 1985, Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM- governing body of traditional medicines) introduced a new syllabus, which also included syllabus of Modern Medicine. So now traditional medicine students have to study both ancient texts and modern medicine (to some extent).

A separate ministry is made for these alternative medicines known as AYUSH (A- Ayurveda, Y- Yoga, U- Unani, S- Siddha, H- Homeopathy) Ministry.

BRANCHES OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

There are following branches/ disciplines of alternative medicine:
1. Ayurveda
2. Unani Medicine
3. Homeopathy
4. Siddha Medicine
5. Naturopathy & Yoga

AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is the oldest form of medical science. It is practised since 5000 years ago. The founders of this science were Charak (Medicine) and Shushruta (Surgery).
There are following levels of courses:
1. Undergraduate level: BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)- 5.5 years course duration (along with 1 year internship).
2. Postgraduate level: MD/ MS (Ayurveda)- 3 years course duration.
3. Ph.D level courses
4. Certificate courses (in branches of Panchakarma, Kshara Shutra, Standardisation of Ayurvedic Plant Material, Beauty Care).

UNANI MEDICINE
There are following levels of courses:
1. Undergraduate level: BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery)- 5.5 years course duration (along with 1 year internship).
2. Postgraduate level: MD/ MS (Unani)- 3 years course duration.
3. Ph.D level courses

HOMEOPATHY

There are following levels of courses:
1. Undergraduate level: BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery)- 5.5 years course duration (along with 1 year internship).
2. Postgraduate level: MD/ MS (Homeo)- 3 years course duration.
3. Ph.D level courses

SIDDHA MEDICINE

There are following levels of courses:
1. Undergraduate level: BSMS (Bachelor of Sidhha Medicine and Surgery)- 5.5 years course duration (along with 1 year internship).
2. Postgraduate level: MD/ MS (Siddha)- 3 years course duration.
3. Ph.D level courses

NATUROPATHY & YOGA

It covers the study of both Naturopathy Medicine and Therapeutic Yoga for treatment of patients. There are following levels of courses:
1. Undergraduate level: BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences)- 5.5 years course duration (along with 1 year internship).
2. Postgraduate level: MD (Naturopathy and Yoga)- 3 years course duration.
3. Ph.D level courses

CAREER SCOPE

1. You can do your own private practice in your own clinic.
2. You can work in Private Hospitals.
3.  Every Government District Hospital and Allopathic Medical Colleges have a 50 bed department of AYUSH, where you can work.
4. You can give UPSC and state PSCs and join as Research Medical Officer (Ayurveda), Research Medical Officer (Homeopathy) and Research Medical Officer (Unani).
5. You can join as a faculty in Government/ Private Colleges.
6. You can work in Primary Health Centres (under National Rural Health Mission).
7. You can work as researcher/ physician in Ayurveda pharmaceutical companies (like Dabur, Patanjali, Baidhyanath), Unani pharmaceutical companies (like Hamdard), Homeopathy pharmaceutical companies (like Bakson), etc.
8. Now our Indian Army is also going to open vacancies for AYUSH Doctors in Military Hospitals for peace-time treatment and researches.
9. You can work as Senior Research Fellow/ Scientist in ICMR, CSIR, CCRAS, DST, Ministry of AYUSH, etc.
10. Since, you are a graduate, so you can give any competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, etc.

ADMISSION PROCESS (of BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS and BYNS)

Admission is made on the basis of NEET-UG scores. The counselling is done in two modes:

1. Central Counselling (for 15% All India Quota seats, Central Institute seats and Deemed University seats)- In this candidates from all over India can apply. It is conducted by Ministry of AYUSH at aaccc.gov.in

2. State Counselling (for remaining 85% seats in Government and Private Colleges of State)- In this only state domicile candidates can apply.

COURSE FEES (of BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS and BYNS)

In Government colleges, the average course fees ranges from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 40,000 per annum.
In Private Colleges, the average course fees 
ranges from Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 5,50,000 per annum.

For knowing about Best AYUSH Medical Colleges (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS and BYNS) in India- Click here