AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) represents India's traditional and alternative medicine systems. This page covers BAMS, BHMS, and BUMS — the three most widely pursued undergraduate AYUSH degrees — and guides you through eligibility, the NEET-based admission process, fee ranges, syllabus, and career scope.
Edusterling's counseling team helps AYUSH aspirants understand their options across systems, shortlist colleges based on their NEET score, and navigate the AACCC/state counseling rounds with a clear plan.
AYUSH Courses: An Overview
The Ministry of AYUSH oversees five main systems: Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. The three most commonly chosen undergraduate degrees are:
- BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) — 5.5-year degree in Ayurveda, India's ancient system of medicine rooted in holistic health and natural remedies.
- BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery) — 5.5-year degree in Homeopathy, based on the principle of "like cures like" using natural substances.
- BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery) — 5.5-year degree in Unani medicine, a traditional system with origins in Greco-Arabic medicine.
All three programs are regulated by their respective councils under the Ministry of AYUSH, and admission to every recognized college in India runs through the NEET UG entrance exam — no separate system-specific test exists for these courses.
AYUSH Courses Comparison
| Course | Full Name | Duration | Focus | Career Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAMS | Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery | 5.5 Years | Ayurveda, holistic health | Ayurvedic Doctor, Consultant |
| BHMS | Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery | 5.5 Years | Homeopathy, natural remedies | Homeopathic Doctor, Specialist |
| BUMS | Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery | 5.5 Years | Unani medicine, Greco-Arabic | Unani Doctor, Consultant |
BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)
Course Highlights
| Full Name | Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery |
|---|---|
| Level | Undergraduate (UG) |
| Duration | 5.5 years (4.5 years academic + 1 year internship) |
| Regulatory Body | Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) |
| Entrance Exam | NEET UG |
| Minimum Eligibility | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology — 50% aggregate (40% for reserved categories) |
| Typical Fee Range | [UPDATE] ₹ per year — government vs private differs |
Eligibility for BAMS
- 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology from a recognized board.
- 50% aggregate in PCB for general category; 40% for SC/ST/OBC.
- A valid, qualifying NEET UG score.
- Minimum age of 17 years as on the year of admission.
BAMS Syllabus (Year-wise)
| Early Years (1–2) | Later Years (3–5) |
|---|---|
| Basic Principles of Ayurveda | Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine) |
| Sharir Rachana (Anatomy) | Panchakarma |
| Sharir Kriya (Physiology) | Prasuti Tantra & Stri Roga (OBG) |
| Dravyaguna (Pharmacology) | Kaumarabhritya (Pediatrics) |
| Rasashastra (Iatrochemistry) | Shalya Tantra (Surgery) |
| Bhaishajya Kalpana (Pharmaceutics) | Shalakya Tantra (ENT & Ophthalmology) |
| Roga Nidan (Pathology) | Swasthavritta (Community Medicine) |
| Agad Tantra (Toxicology) | Fifth year: compulsory internship |
Career Scope After BAMS
- Ayurvedic Doctor — private practice or government hospitals.
- Consultant — at Ayurvedic wellness centers and spas.
- Lecturer / Professor — teaching at Ayurvedic medical colleges.
- Researcher — in Ayurvedic and pharmaceutical research.
- Pharmacist — with Ayurvedic drug manufacturing companies.
BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery)
Course Highlights
| Full Name | Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery |
|---|---|
| Level | Undergraduate (UG) |
| Duration | 5.5 years (4.5 years academic + 1 year internship) |
| Regulatory Body | Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH) |
| Entrance Exam | NEET UG |
| Minimum Eligibility | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology — 50% aggregate (40% for reserved categories) |
| Typical Fee Range | [UPDATE] ₹ per year — government vs private differs |
Eligibility for BHMS
- 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology from a recognized board.
- 50% aggregate in PCB for general category; 40% for SC/ST/OBC.
- A valid, qualifying NEET UG score.
- Minimum age of 17 years as on the year of admission.
BHMS Syllabus (Year-wise)
| Early Years (1–2) | Later Years (3–5) |
|---|---|
| Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry | Practice of Medicine & Homeo Therapeutics |
| Organon of Medicine & Homeopathic Philosophy | Repertory |
| Homeopathic Materia Medica | Surgery (ENT, Ophthalmology, Dental) & Homeo Therapeutics |
| Homeopathic Pharmacy | Community Medicine |
| Pathology & Microbiology | Gynaecology & Obstetrics |
| Forensic Medicine & Toxicology | Fifth year: compulsory internship |
Career Scope After BHMS
- Homeopathic Doctor — independent practice or hospital-based roles.
- Consultant — at homeopathic clinics and wellness centers.
- Lecturer / Professor — teaching at homeopathic colleges.
- Researcher — in homeopathic and complementary medicine.
- Pharmacist — with homeopathic drug manufacturers.
BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery)
Course Highlights
| Full Name | Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery |
|---|---|
| Level | Undergraduate (UG) |
| Duration | 5.5 years (4.5 years academic + 1 year internship) |
| Regulatory Body | Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) |
| Entrance Exam | NEET UG |
| Minimum Eligibility | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology — 50% aggregate (40% for reserved categories) |
| Typical Fee Range | [UPDATE] ₹ per year — government vs private differs |
Eligibility for BUMS
- 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology from a recognized board.
- 50% aggregate in PCB for general category; 40% for SC/ST/OBC.
- A valid, qualifying NEET UG score.
- Minimum age of 17 years as on the year of admission.
Career Scope After BUMS
- Unani Doctor — independent practice or government/private hospitals.
- Consultant — at Unani wellness centers and clinics.
- Lecturer / Professor — teaching at Unani medical colleges.
- Researcher — in Unani and pharmaceutical research.
- Pharmacist — with Unani drug manufacturing companies.
AYUSH Admission Process
AYUSH seats are filled through centralized counseling based on NEET UG rank, run through two main channels:
- AYUSH Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC) — for central/deemed and a share of private seats.
- State-level counseling — for state quota seats, following each state's own schedule and rules.
- Appear for and qualify NEET UG with the required minimum score.
- Register for AACCC and/or the relevant state counseling portal.
- Upload documents for verification.
- Fill and lock college and course choices in order of preference.
- Participate through counseling rounds — first round, second round, and mop-up round if needed — until a seat is allotted.
- Report to the allotted college to confirm admission.
Reservation and quota weightage (SC/ST/OBC, NRI, and others) applies through the process as per current AACCC/state rules.
AYUSH Fee Structure — Indicative Range
AYUSH fees vary by course, college, and state. Broad indicative ranges for annual fees:
| College Type | Approx. Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Government AYUSH colleges | [UPDATE] — typically a modest annual fee |
| Private AYUSH colleges | [UPDATE] — significantly higher per year |
See our detailed state-wise fee structure for a full breakdown.
Why Choose AYUSH Courses?
- Growing global interest in traditional and alternative medicine systems.
- Government initiatives promoting AYUSH systems and integrating them with mainstream healthcare.
- Multiple career paths — clinical practice, research, academics, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Opportunities to work in government hospitals, private practice, wellness centers, and international healthcare settings.
- Foundation for postgraduate specialization (MD in respective system) and research opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A qualifying NEET UG score is required for admission to BAMS, BHMS, and BUMS at any recognized college in India.
All three programs (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS) are 5.5 years — around 4.5 years of academic study plus a mandatory one-year internship.
Seats are filled through the AYUSH Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC) and respective state counseling authorities, based on NEET UG rank.
Yes — graduates of BAMS, BHMS, and BUMS are entitled to use the "Dr." prefix and register as practitioners with their respective councils after completing the course and internship.
They represent different traditional medicine systems: BAMS is Ayurveda (India's ancient system), BHMS is Homeopathy (based on the principle of "like cures like"), and BUMS is Unani medicine (with Greco-Arabic origins).