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.
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.
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 |
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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 |
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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 in E.N.T. | MCh in General Surgery |
MCh in Anatomy | MCh in Paediatric Surgery |
MCh in Plastic Surgery | MCh in Urology |
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:
NIRF Ranking | College Name | Location | Average Fees |
---|---|---|---|
1 | AIIMS | New Delhi | INR 6,875 |
2 | Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) | Chandigarh | INR 6,690 |
3 | Christian Medical College | Vellore | INR 4,97,700 |
4 | Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) | Lucknow | INR 1,37,334 |
6 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi | INR 42,978 |
7 | Kasturba Medical College (KMC) | Manipal | INR 49,60,000 |
8 | Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) | Pondicherry | INR 6,690 |
9 | Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences (ILBS) | New Delhi | INR 1,85,000 |
10 | King George’s Medical College (KGMU) | Lucknow | INR 1,17,201 |
11 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research | Chennai | INR 66,00,000 |
12 | St John’s Medical College | Bangalore | INR 26,35,000 |
Top Master of Chirurgiae Colleges in India |
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 Colleges in Tamil Nadu | MCh Colleges in Karnataka | MCh Colleges in Maharashtra |
MCh Colleges in Delhi NCR | MCh Colleges in Uttar Pradesh | MCh Colleges in Kerala |
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
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 |
Source: PayScale
Similar course:
MCh Degree: FAQs
Ques. What does MCh degree mean?
Ques. Can MCh be done after MBBS?
Ques. What is the difference between MD & MCh?
Ques. What is the salary of MCh doctor in India?
Ques. What is MCh in Urology?
Ques. What is the best MCh branch to study?