MCh Degree Full Form, Duration, Eligibility, Admission, Colleges, Scope 2024

Master of Chirurgiae or MCh is a specialized and most advanced postdoctoral/ doctoral degree in surgery. This 3 years course is the highest degree in the field of surgical science in the Indian Medical system.

The basic eligibility criteria required to pursue MCh degree is an MS (Master of Surgery), MD (Doctor of Medicine) or any other postgraduate degree recognized by the Medical Council of India, and admission is done purely on the basis of performance in the NEET SS exam.

This course is mostly pursued by junior doctors and professionals who want to advance their clinical and research skills by increasing their subject knowledge and medical practice, so that they possess the right skills that are expected out of a senior level doctor. 

Alert: The registrations for NEET SS 2020 will start in the first week of May 2020.

In India, more than 120 colleges (both private & government) offer this high level course with the average fees of around INR 60,000 per year.

Following are considered the best Master of Chirurgiae colleges in India according to the NIRF ranking:

NIRF Ranking College Name Location Admission Process Average Total Fees
1 AIIMS New Delhi AIIMS MCh Exam+ Personal Interview INR 6,875
3 Christian Medical College Vellore NEET SS Counselling INR 497,700
8 Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)  Pondicherry JIPMER MCh Exam+ Personal Interview INR 11,115
10 King George’s Medical University (KGMU) Lucknow NEET SS Counselling INR 1,17,201
11 Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research Chennai NEET SS Counselling INR 66,00,000
14 Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) New Delhi NEET SS Counselling INR 15,000

The fees is comparatively a lot lesser in the government colleges and you can complete the MCh course in less than INR 1 Lakhs,  but in private colleges such as Ramaiah Medical College & Kasturba Medical College it could be around INR 20 LPA per year.

Hence, doctors prefer to pursue MCh degree from a government college rather than a private college because of low fee structure and higher opportunities.

The training in this course includes practical training, surgery training, research training, seminars, teaching ward rounds, clinical case presentations and much more, which is a necessary component in MCh syllabus.

The main MCh specializations are General Surgery, Anatomy, Cardiac Surgery, ENT, Plastic Surgery, Neuro Surgery, among others which can land you various jobs in the government hospitals after training in a relevant specialization.

MCh Degree Admission Process

The admission is based on the merit of NEET SS (Super Speciality) which occurs in the month of June every year.

The selection of candidates is done after the counselling done by the bodies MCC (Medical Counselling Committee), DGHS (Director General of Health Services) and MoHFW (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare) post result declaration.

MCh Degree Eligibility

Following is the basic eligibility criteria which is compulsory to pursue MCh course:

  • Aspirants must have any Professional Master degree in the field of medical science like MS, MD, DNB or Equivalent.
  • They should be registered with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or State Medical Council
  • They should have qualified the entrance exam (NEET SS) before the cut off date.

Candidates with MBBS degree are eligible to opt for MCh degree of 5-6 years duration, on the basis that they are a registered doctor with MCI or State Medical Council.

MCh Degree Entrance Exams

The main entrance exam that is necessary for the admission is NEET SS. This exam offers admission in all the colleges which offer Master of Chirurgiae courses, except AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, etc. as they conduct their own entrance exams for MCh Admission.

NEET SS (Super Speciality)

We all know that NEET qualification is an important factor in getting admission into any medical course, be it a UG course or PG course such as MBBS, MDS, etc. 

For getting admission in the MCh degree, NEET SS qualification is a must for admission into top MCh colleges such as Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Lady Hardinge Medical College, Madras Medical College (MMC) and other government and private colleges. 

The exam is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) in a computer based mode, consisting of 100 MCQ questions.

Check the table below for the NEET SS 2020 important dates:

NEET SS 2020 Application Period First week of May- Last week of May, 2020
NEET SS 2020 Admit Card release Third week of June, 2020
NEET SS 2020 Exam Date Last week of June, 2020
NEET SS 2020 Result Date Second week of July, 2020

All the dates mentioned in the table are tentative, hence they are subject to change. 

How to prepare for NEET SS 2020 Exam?

NEET SS exam is MCQ based exam, having 100 questions divided between two parts: Part A & Part B.

  • Part A consists of Questions from the eligible feeder broad speciality/ specialities for a particular super speciality course with the 40% weightage.
  • Part B consists of Questions from the concerned super-speciality or group of clubbed super specialities (at PG exit level) with the 60% weightage.

For every correct answer, 4 marks are awarded and for every incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted. Therefore, candidates must prepare for both parts thoroughly with the help of the right books & study material.

Points to keep in mind while preparing for the NEET SS Exam?

  • Time Table: A proper time table should be followed while preparing for the exam so that you can complete the full syllabus on time.
  • Specialization Knowledge: Since this exam consists of questions of the specialization which you have studied at the PG level, therefore your subject knowledge should be strong. 
  • Clinical Practice: Part B questions will include topics from clinical practice and basic sciences as applied to the concerned super-speciality, hence you should be ready to face these types of questions as well..
  • Books & Study Material: There are many MCQ based practice books of NEET SS Exam which you can get from bookstores and online. These also contain sample papers and questions papers of the previous years.
  • Revision Notes: Make notes in the form of diagrams, flowcharts or tables so that it becomes easier for you to go through them days before the exam.

MCh Degree: What is it About?

  • It is a specialized learning based programme of 3 years duration, preferred by students who want to earn expertise in the field of surgical science.
  • It is a doctoral/ postdoctoral degree and is considered the highest degree offered under the Faculty of Medicine in medical colleges and universities.
  • MCh course includes training and clinical practice in the selected field of specialization like General Surgery, Anatomy, ENT, Plastic Surgery etc.
  • At the end of three years, students are required to take an exit examination which will judge students’ skills and knowledge. 
  • A dissertation is a compulsory component in MCh course and is required by all the students.
  • During the Master of Chirurgiae course, the students are employed temporarily in the college or institute and get a monthly stipend of INR 40,000-45,000.

MCh Course Highlights

Full Form Master of Chirurgiae
Latin Abbreviation Magister Chirurgiae
Duration 3 years
Eligibility MD or MS course, and registration with the Medical Council of India or State Medical Council
Admission Through NEET SS Exam
Examination At the end of the course
Average Fees INR 20,000-40,000 in government colleges & INR 80,000-1,00,000 in private colleges
Monthly Stipend INR 35,000- 45,000

Why pursue an MCh degree?

  • Master of Chirurgiae is considered the highest degree in the field of surgery and doctors who are interested to gain clinical expertise in surgery usually pursue this super specialized course. 
  • This course enables doctors to become proficient and aware of the recent advances and innovations in the field of surgery and gain these skills to apply in the case of different operations and cases.
  • Apart from this, MCh degree also provides training that enables doctors to teach their juniors and students the different aspects of the surgical science in the world of medicine.
  • This course is the best pathway to become a professional specialized surgeon in various fields such as Urology Surgeon, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon, Paediatrics Surgeon, Endocrine Surgeon, and even General Surgeon, among others after rigorous training. 
  • The employment areas remain in hospitals, medical clinics and research centres where these surgeons can apply their skills, and get an average salary of around INR 10-15 Lakhs Per Annum.
  • The salary scale increases with the experience and can go upto INR 35 Lakhs Per Annum in reputed hospitals and research institutes.

Course Comparison

MCh degree is a super speciality course that can be pursued after MS, MD or any other master degree recognized by MCI. Most people get confused between MCh and DM (Doctorate of Medicine), as they both are considered one of the highest degrees in the Indian Medical system. Both these courses are of 3 years duration, and doctors who want to upgrade their skills with a MS or MD degree can go for these courses. 

Parameters MCh  DM
Qualification Master of Chirurgiae Doctorate of Medicine
Admission Process Through NEET SS Through NEET SS
Course Overview MCh provides super specialization in different fields of surgery. The curriculum consists of training and research so that doctors become aware of the different aspects and skills required in surgical science. DM course is an advanced course in medicine that focuses on the training of the junior doctors that helps them to upgrade their skills and professional medical qualifications that will help them to lead the operation or their team.
Specializations The major specializations are Urology, Cardiac Surgery, General Surgery, Neuro Surgery, Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery, Surgical Oncology, etc. The major specializations are Cardiology, Clinical Hematology, Endocrinology, Immunology, Medical Gastroenterology, Medical Genetics, Nephrology, etc.
Average Course Fees INR 1-3 Lakhs INR 1-3 Lakhs

MCh Degree Specializations

Since this is a specialized course, hence there are various specializations providing advanced learning and training to the doctors.

Major M.ch Specializations

Some of the famous Master of Chirurgiae Specializations are mentioned below:

  • MCh in Cardiac Surgery:

Cardiac Surgery is the surgical treatment of the organs and diseases related to heart and lungs. MCh in Cardiac Surgery provides evidence based training to the qualified and experienced doctors which helps them to develop relevant skills to contribute to the healthcare sector.

Average Annual Fees INR 2,00,000-6,00,000
Average Salary INR 8,00,000-20,00,000
  • MCh in Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery:

MCh in Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery is a research based program which focuses on the thoracic organ transplantation and treatment of valvular, aneurysm, congenital, and ischemic heart diseases, and pulmonary and mediastinal tumors.

Average Annual Fees INR 2,00,000-6,00,000
Average Salary INR 8,00,000-20,00,000
Top MCh in Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Colleges in India
  • MCh in Gastroenterology Surgery:

Gastroenterology Surgery is the type of surgery in the organs which are involved in the digestion process. MCh in Gastroenterology Surgery provides professional training to the doctors to become surgeons in this particular field.

Average Fees INR 50,000- 20,00,000
Average Salary INR 10,00,000-18,00,000
Top MCh in Gastroenterology Surgery Colleges in India
  • MCh in NeuroSurgery:

MCh in Neurological Surgery is the medical specialty that deals with the rehabilitation, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of disorders that affect any part of the nervous system.

Average Fees INR 50,000- 20,00,000
Average Salary INR 10,00,00-20,00,000
Top MCh in NeuroSurgery Colleges in India
  • MCh in Surgical Oncology:

MCh in Surgical Oncology is designed for aspirants interested in learning about the surgical management and treatment of tumours. The course focuses on the diagnosis, biopsy and treatment of all types of cancer.

Average Fees INR 50,000- 20,00,000
Average Salary INR 10,00,00-25,00,000
Top MCh in Surgical Oncology Colleges in India

Other MCh Degree Specializations

MCh Degree Colleges

There are more than 120 colleges in India offering this doctoral level course in states such as New Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and others.

Following table lists the top MCh colleges in India as per the NIRF Ranking:

Doctors who are enrolled in the MCh degree are paid with a monthly stipend of around INR 35,000- 45,000 per month to work in the premises in different departments, getting trained and gaining the skills necessary to become a successful surgeon in their specialization.

College Comparison

Below table compares some of the top colleges preferred by the medical professionals to get trained in the field of surgery, on the basis of college overview, ranking and fee structure.

Parameters AIIMS, New Delhi JIPMER, Puducherry KIIT, Bhubaneshwar
College Overview All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is considered the best institute for medical research & studies. It offers various UG, PG and doctoral level courses across seven campuses across India. Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) is a recognized medical research institute that was established in 1964, offering many UG, PG courses. It has been declared as an institute of national importance in India. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) is a private university situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It offers many UG, PG and doctoral level courses across various disciplines.
NIRF Ranking 1 8 30
Specialization offered MCh in Neuro Surgery, MCh in Pediatric Surgery, MCh in Surgical Oncology, MCh in Vascular Surgery, MCh in Cardiothoracic Surgery etc. MCh in Neuro Surgery, MCh in Surgical Oncology, MCh in Pediatric Surgery, MCh in Plastic Surgery, MCh in Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery, etc. MCh in Neuro Surgery
Average Course Fees INR 6,875 INR 6,690 INR 60,75,000

Read More:

MCh Degree Syllabus

MCh course curriculum is made in such a way that proper training is imparted to the doctors with the help of tools such as clinical practice & training, surgical training, seminars, conferences, ward rounds, academic activities, research & publications, etc.

  • The Theory Syllabus consists of subjects such as:
  • General Topics
  • Oesophagus
  • Stomach & Duodenum
  • Biliary System
  • Liver
  • Pancreas
  • Spleen
  • Intestine, and other studies

M.Ch. Course Curriculum

Source: aiims.edu

The table below lists some of the training which are included in the MCh Syllabus:

First Year
Clinical exposure with bed responsibilities
On call duties (house man)-in patients only
Exposure to intensive care and artificial respiratory support with ventilators
Academic work-Journal Club/Topic discussion
Protocol submission for research projects
Surgical work-mainly as an assistant in all surgical procedures-emergency + elective. In addition he/she is allowed few operations under supervision.
Second Year
Ward responsibilities + out patients (supervision of Ist year residents)
Project work
Perform emergency and elective operations as specified below
Academic presentation - topic discussion/journal clubs/ grand rounds and case conferences
Surgical work as outlined by the supervisor(s)
Third Year
Ward responsibilities similar to 2nd year + out patients (supervision of Ist year)
Emphasis on completion of projects/data analysis
Academic work -as before along with intra department clinical case presentations
Expected to perform major abdominal operations independently
Ward responsibilities (lesser duties) + out patients
Submission of research projects
Clinical case presentation - 3 times/ week along with topic discussion
Surgical work as mentioned

The examination is held after the end of third year which usually consists of theory examination of 3 Papers and practical examination in the form of Operative test, Viva, Specimen test, etc. 

MCh Degree Jobs & Scope

Being a super speciality degree, Master of Chirurgiae is considered one of the hardest courses which requires a lot of clinical training, surgery training and classroom training.

Some of the best career opportunities that a MCh doctor can get is in the government hospitals and clinics. They are assigned with many surgical assignments and other research activities which increases their surgery skills and they become compatible enough to lead an operation.

They can also work closely with the policy makers and assist them in evaluation of various policies that need to be adopted for the development in the healthcare sector.

Other than this, they can find employment in private sectors, research institutes and other sectors as a surgeon, surgical consultant, and much more.

Below mentioned are some of major job positions that a doctor can go for after completing his/her MCh course:

Job Position Job Description Average Salary
General Surgeon A general surgeon is a doctor or a specialist who is an expert in performing medical surgeries. INR 11.60 LPA
Oncologist Specialist Oncology is the study of cancer, and an oncologist specialist deals with the different aspects of oncology with respect to medicine, therapies and surgery. INR 12.20 LPA
Orthopedic Surgeon An Orthopedic Surgeon examines patients to diagnose and treat bone, joint, ligament, and skeleton problems, diseases, or injuries. INR 15.39 LPA
Neurosurgeon A Neurosurgeon examines and diagnoses disorders and diseases related to the nervous system. INR 25.68 LPA
Urology Surgeon A Urology Surgeon deals with the diseases related to the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. INR 24.41 LPA
Average Salary of commom MCh

Source: PayScale

Similar course: 

Doctorate of Medicine (MD)

MCh Degree: FAQs

Ques. What does MCh degree mean?

Ans. MCh is a doctoral/ postdoctoral degree, considered to be the highest degree offered in any medical institute or college. The full form of MCh of Master of Chirurgiae, the duration of which is of 3 years.

Ques. Can MCh be done after MBBS?

Ans. Yes, MCh course can be pursued after MBBS but the course duration will be of 5-6 years.

Ques. What is the difference between MD & MCh?

Ans. MD is a postgraduate degree in the field of medical science, and it is mostly done after MBBS. MCh is a super speciality course in the field of surgery which is of three years, and mostly done after the postgraduate course such as MS or MD.

Ques. What is the salary of MCh doctor in India?

Ans. The starting salary of a doctor after getting an MCh degree is around INR 1,20,000 per month.

Ques. What is MCh in Urology?

Ans. MCh is a super speciality course in the field of surgery that deals with the domain of urology that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females. To know more, check MCh in Urology.

Ques. What is the best MCh branch to study?

Ans. MCh course has many specializations such as Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Endocrine Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Surgical Gastro-enterology, Onco Surgery, etc.

Program Type
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Entrance/Exam Accepted
Avg Fee Per Year
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Found 205 colleges
Sort By
CD RankCollegesCourse FeesPlacementUser ReviewsRanking
#1

All India Institute of Medical Sciences - [AIIMS], New Delhi

New Delhi, Delhi NCR 
2,375M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--
9.6 / 10
Based on 3 User
Reviews
#1st/57 in India 2023
#2
3,470M.Ch- 1st Year FeesCompare Fees90% PlacementCompare Placement
8.9 / 10
Based on 2 User
Reviews
Best in Faculty
#2th/50 in India 2023
#3

Christian Medical College - [CMC], Vellore

Vellore, Tamil Nadu 
2,14,266M.Ch- 1st Year Fees----#3rd/57 in India 2023
#4

Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences - [SGPGIMS], Lucknow

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 
67,800M.Ch- 1st Year Fees----#7th/50 in India 2023
CD RankCollegesCourse FeesPlacementUser ReviewsRanking
#5
14,326M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--
8 / 10
Based on 58 User
Reviews
#7th/50 in India 2019
#6

Kasturba Medical College - [KMC], Manipal

Manipal, Karnataka 
16,60,000M.Ch- 1st Year FeesCompare Fees--#12th/57 in India 2023
#7

Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research - [JIPMER], Pondicherry

Pondicherry, Puducherry 
20,960M.Ch- 1st Year FeesCompare Fees--
7.3 / 10
Based on 1 User
Reviews
Best in Placements
#2th/57 in India 2023
#8

Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences - [ILBS], New Delhi

New Delhi, Delhi NCR 
70,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--#23th/50 in India 2023
CD RankCollegesCourse FeesPlacementUser ReviewsRanking
#9

King George's Medical University - [KGMU], Lucknow

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 
--M.Ch--
8.1 / 10
Based on 19 User
Reviews
Best in Academics
#7th/57 in India 2023
#10

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai

Chennai, Tamil Nadu 
22,00,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--
9 / 10
Based on 3 User
Reviews
Best in Infrastructure
#26th/53 in India 2022
#11

St John's Medical College, Bangalore

Bangalore, Karnataka 
10,72,820M.Ch- 1st Year Fees----#21th/57 in India 2023
#12
--M.Ch₹ 4,50,000Average Package₹ 6,50,000Highest PackageCompare Placement
7.2 / 10
Based on 45 User
Reviews
Best in Infrastructure
#18th/50 in India 2019
CD RankCollegesCourse FeesPlacementUser ReviewsRanking
#13

Maulana Azad Medical College - [MAMC], New Delhi

New Delhi, Delhi NCR 
--M.Ch--
7.5 / 10
Based on 9 User
Reviews
#5th/57 in India 2023
#14
24,10,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--#34th/57 in India 2023
#15

JSS Medical College and Hospital - [JSSMCH], Mysore

Mysore, Karnataka 
21,14,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees----#38th/40 in India 2020
#16

Christian Medical College - [CMC], Ludhiana

Ludhiana, Punjab 
1,62,950M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--
8.5 / 10
Based on 1 User
Reviews
#33th/57 in India 2023
CD RankCollegesCourse FeesPlacementUser ReviewsRanking
#17

Vardhman Mahavir Medical College - [VMMC], New Delhi

New Delhi, Delhi NCR 
93,000M.Ch- total fees--
7.4 / 10
Based on 34 User
Reviews
#8th/57 in India 2023
#18

Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth - [DPU], Pune

Pune, Maharashtra 
--M.Ch₹ 3,00,000Average Package₹ 3,50,000Highest Package
8.4 / 10
Based on 19 User
Reviews
Best in Social Life
#15th/50 in India 2023
#19
16,80,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--
8.2 / 10
Based on 17 User
Reviews
#16th/50 in India 2023
#20
10,00,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--
6.7 / 10
Based on 406 User
Reviews
#20th/50 in India 2023
CD RankCollegesCourse FeesPlacementUser ReviewsRanking
#21

Dayanand Medical College and Hospital - [DMCH], Ludhiana

Ludhiana, Punjab 
16,11,800M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--#30th/57 in India 2023
#22

Saveetha Medical College, Chennai

Chennai, Tamil Nadu 
15,00,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees----#46th/55 in India 2021
#23

Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore

Bangalore, Karnataka 
10,70,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees----#27th/57 in India 2023
#24

Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal

Imphal, Manipur 
32,300M.Ch- 1st Year Fees----#46th/50 in India 2022
CD RankCollegesCourse FeesPlacementUser ReviewsRanking
#25

Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences - [SVIMS], Tirupati

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 
1,32,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--
8 / 10
Based on 1 User
Reviews
Best in Academics
#38th/40 in India 2020
#26
20,75,000M.Ch- 1st Year Fees--
7.4 / 10
Based on 114 User
Reviews
#26th/50 in India 2023
#27

Armed Forces Medical College - [AFMC], Pune

Pune, Maharashtra 
--M.Ch----#4th/57 in India 2023
#28

Grant Medical College and Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai

Mumbai, Maharashtra 
--M.Ch--
3.8 / 10
Based on 3 User
Reviews
Best in Social Life
#11th/55 in India 2021
CD RankCollegesCourse FeesPlacementUser ReviewsRanking
#29

Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute - [BMCRI], Bangalore

Bangalore, Karnataka 
--M.Ch----#13th/57 in India 2023
#30

Seth GS Medical College - [GSMC], Mumbai

Mumbai, Maharashtra 
1,12,900M.Ch- 1st Year Fees----#11th/57 in India 2023