BAMS in India

BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) is one of the most sought-after undergraduate medical courses in India, focusing on Ayurveda – the ancient Indian system of medicine. Along with modern medical knowledge, students are trained in traditional Ayurvedic treatments, herbal medicine, yoga, and holistic healing techniques.

Admissions to BAMS are regulated and NEET-UG is compulsory for admission into government and private Ayurvedic colleges across India. Before applying, aspirants should know the types of colleges and total intake capacity.

Types of BAMS Colleges & Seat Intake in India

Type of Institute	No. of Colleges	Seats (Approx.)
Government Ayurvedic Colleges	300+	18,000+
Private Ayurvedic Colleges	250+	20,000+
Deemed/Autonomous Universities	50+	6,000+
Total	~600+	~44,000+
(Seats may vary year-to-year as per Ministry of AYUSH approvals)

Introduction

Pursuing BAMS in India is ideal for students who are passionate about traditional medicine and natural healing practices. With the rising global recognition of Ayurveda, BAMS graduates are highly valued in healthcare, research, drug manufacturing, and wellness industries.

Top Ayurvedic colleges in India are regulated by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) under the Ministry of AYUSH. Institutions like Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Gujarat Ayurved University, National Institute of Ayurveda Jaipur, and Government Ayurvedic Colleges in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Karnataka are highly reputed.

A BAMS degree is globally recognized, opening career opportunities both in India and abroad (with proper licensing, depending on each country’s medical laws).

Why Choose BAMS in India?

Rooted in Tradition, Backed by Science: Ayurveda blends ancient wisdom with modern medical approaches.
High Demand Globally: Ayurveda is gaining popularity worldwide as a form of holistic medicine.
Government Recognition & Support: The Ministry of AYUSH actively promotes Ayurveda, expanding career opportunities.
Wide Scope of Careers: Clinics, hospitals, research centers, pharma industries, wellness resorts, and international health organizations hire BAMS graduates.
Affordable Education: Compared to MBBS, BAMS often has lower tuition fees in government colleges.
Research & Higher Studies: Graduates can pursue MD/MS in Ayurveda or specialized diplomas.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Many graduates establish their own Ayurvedic clinics, Panchakarma centers, or wellness startups.

BAMS Course Details

Particulars	Details
Name of the Course	Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
Popularly Known as	BAMS
Level of Course	Undergraduate
Duration	5.5 years (4.5 years academic + 1-year internship)
Internship	1 year compulsory rotatory internship in hospitals/clinics
Eligibility	Class 12 with PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and at least 50% marks
Minimum Age	17 years
Regulating Body	Ministry of AYUSH, CCIM
Number of Colleges	600+ (Govt & Private)
Number of Seats	~44,000 annually

📘 Entrance Exam for BAMS in India

NEET-UG is compulsory for admission to BAMS in both government and private colleges in India.

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All India Counselling

15% AIQ Seats
Conducted by AACCC (Ayush Admissions Central Counselling Committee)

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State Counselling

85% State Quota
Handled by respective state authorities

BAMS Cutoff Trends

The BAMS cutoff depends on NEET-UG scores, number of applicants, and seat availability.
Generally, cutoffs for BAMS are lower than MBBS and BDS but vary across colleges:

Top Govt. Ayurvedic Colleges

480–520 NEET scores

Higher cutoffs (2024 trends)

Private Colleges

300–400 NEET scores

Moderate cutoffs

Reserved Categories

Lower cutoffs

As per SC / ST / OBC relaxation

Example Cutoffs:

BHU BAMS (Govt.) – NEET rank within 20k–25k.
State Ayurvedic Colleges – varies between 30k–1.5 lakh rank, depending on competition.

Key Takeaway

Pursuing BAMS in India provides a unique opportunity to combine ancient Ayurvedic medicine with modern healthcare practices. With rising demand in the wellness industry, herbal medicine exports, pharma research, Panchakarma therapies, and global healthcare, BAMS graduates have numerous pathways ahead of them.

Top recruiters include Ayurvedic hospitals, Ministry of AYUSH centers, research institutes, FMCG & pharma companies, wellness resorts, and international healthcare chains. Many graduates also start their own practice and gain entrepreneurial success.