Medical & Health Sciences
pg
Full Time
MD
Doctor of Medicine
3 Years
5 Colleges
MD Syllabus 2026
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) syllabus covers a structured programme spanning 3 Years designed to build both foundational knowledge and specialised expertise. The curriculum varies by specialisation, with 10 specialisations available including Anaesthesiology, Community Medicine, Dermatology. Below is the detailed semester-wise subject breakdown and programme structure.
MD Semester-wise Subjects
MD Specialisations
MD programmes in India cover a wide range of clinical and pre/para-clinical specialisations. The choice of branch is made during NEET PG counselling based on rank, preference, and seat availability.
Clinical Specialisations
| Specialisation | Focus Area | DM Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| General Medicine | Diagnosis & treatment of adult diseases, internal medicine | Cardiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology |
| Paediatrics | Child healthcare from neonatal to adolescent | Neonatology, Paediatric Neurology, Paediatric Oncology |
| Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy | Skin disorders, STIs, cosmetic dermatology | — |
| Psychiatry | Mental health disorders, psychotherapy, de-addiction | — |
| Radiodiagnosis | Medical imaging — X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, interventional radiology | — |
| Anaesthesiology | Anaesthesia, pain management, critical care, ICU | Critical Care Medicine, Neuroanesthesia |
| Pulmonary Medicine | Respiratory diseases, TB, sleep medicine, bronchoscopy | Pulmonary & Critical Care |
| Radiation Oncology | Cancer treatment through radiation therapy | — |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Disability management, physiotherapy oversight | — |
Pre-Clinical & Para-Clinical Specialisations
| Specialisation | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Pathology | Disease diagnosis via lab analysis — histopathology, cytology, haematology |
| Microbiology | Infectious diseases, bacteriology, virology, immunology |
| Pharmacology | Drug action, clinical pharmacology, pharmacovigilance |
| Community Medicine | Epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, health programmes |
| Forensic Medicine & Toxicology | Medico-legal cases, autopsy, toxicology, expert testimony |
| Biochemistry | Clinical biochemistry, molecular biology, metabolic disorders |
| Physiology | Body systems function, neurophysiology, exercise physiology |
| Anatomy | Clinical anatomy, embryology, neuroanatomy, cadaveric dissection |
MD Programme Structure & Credit Distribution
MD Year-Wise Curriculum
The MD programme follows a structured 3-year curriculum combining clinical training, academic study, and research. NMC has standardised the curriculum across all recognised institutions.
Year 1 — Foundation & Thesis Planning
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Theory | Applied basic sciences relevant to specialty, recent advances, journal clubs |
| Clinical Postings | OPD, ward rounds, emergency duty under supervision, case presentations |
| Research | Thesis topic selection, literature review, protocol preparation, Institutional Ethics Committee approval |
| Seminars | Regular departmental seminars, grand rounds, mortality/morbidity conferences |
Year 2 — Advanced Training & Research
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Clinical Training | Increased independence in patient management, subspecialty rotations, inter-departmental postings |
| Procedures | Specialty-specific procedures (e.g., lumbar puncture, bone marrow biopsy, endoscopy assistance, bronchoscopy) |
| Research | Data collection, analysis, thesis writing, aim for at least one publication |
| Teaching | Teaching undergraduate (MBBS) students and interns |
Year 3 — Senior Residency & Completion
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Clinical Duties | Near-independent patient management, leading ward teams, supervising junior residents |
| Thesis | Thesis submission, viva voce defence, publication of research findings |
| Examinations | University final exam: Theory papers + Practical/Clinical exam + Viva |
| Exit Assessment | NMC is progressively implementing standardised exit assessments for PG medical programmes |
Skills Developed in MD
Skills Developed During MD
Clinical & Diagnostic Skills
- Advanced clinical examination: Systematic patient assessment, differential diagnosis, evidence-based treatment planning
- Diagnostic interpretation: Lab reports, imaging studies, ECG, EEG, and specialty-specific investigations
- Emergency management: Acute medical emergencies, ICU protocols, resuscitation (ACLS/BLS)
- Patient management: Long-term chronic disease management, follow-up protocols, multidisciplinary coordination
Procedural Skills (Specialty-Specific)
- General Medicine: Central line insertion, thoracentesis, paracentesis, lumbar puncture
- Radiodiagnosis: USG-guided biopsies, CT/MRI interpretation, interventional procedures
- Anaesthesiology: Intubation, regional anaesthesia, ventilator management, pain blocks
- Dermatology: Skin biopsy, cryotherapy, electrosurgery, cosmetic procedures
- Paediatrics: Neonatal resuscitation, paediatric intubation, developmental assessment
Research & Academic Skills
- Research methodology: Study design, biostatistics, ethical research conduct, thesis writing
- Scientific writing: Case reports, original research papers, systematic reviews
- Teaching: Didactic lectures, bedside teaching, clinical demonstration for undergraduates
- Critical appraisal: Evaluating medical literature, evidence-based medicine principles
Communication & Professional Skills
- Breaking bad news, informed consent, patient counselling
- Medico-legal documentation, death certification, case record maintenance
- Interdisciplinary communication and referral coordination
MD Specialisations
The syllabus and curriculum differ by specialisation. Explore all 10 available specialisations:
Anaesthesiology
Community Medicine
Dermatology
Forensic Medicine
General Medicine
Paediatrics
Pathology
Psychiatry
Radio-diagnosis
Respiratory Medicine
View All Specialisations