Staff Writer: Sweata Maiti
Last Updated: June 9, 2025, 5:10:00 PM IST
| Synopsis: With limited MBBS seats and growing competition in NEET UG 2025, students are increasingly exploring other medical and allied health career options. Programs like BDS, BPharm, BSc Nursing, BAMS, and allied health sciences are emerging as strong alternatives, offering promising salaries, international opportunities, and faster workforce entry. |
Following the announcement of NEET UG 2025 results, students who could not secure MBBS seats are actively considering alternate paths in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. With over 23 lakh aspirants and only around 1.05 lakh MBBS seats, alternatives are not just practical but also rewarding.
Top Alternatives to MBBS:
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
Duration: 5½ years (including 1-year internship)
Intake: 27,000+ seats
Starting salary: ₹3–8 LPA - BPharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy)
Duration: 4 years
Focus: Drug development, clinical research
Career options in pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and labs - BSc Nursing
Duration: 4 years
Demand: High in India and internationally
Starting salary: ₹3–5 LPA (India), ₹20–50 LPA (abroad) - BAMS / BHMS
Duration: 5½ years
Streams: Ayurveda and Homeopathy
Scope: Clinical practice, research, wellness centres - B.VSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Science)
Duration: 5½ years
Career options in animal care, livestock management, and government services - Allied Health Sciences
Courses include Physiotherapy, Medical Lab Technology, Optometry, Clinical Psychology, and more
Fast-growing sector with strong employment and entrepreneurship potential
Key Takeaways:
- These alternatives provide high employability, lower academic pressure, and diverse specialization options.
- Many courses are cost-effective and offer quicker transitions into professional roles.
- International opportunities are strong, particularly in nursing and pharmacy.
Students are encouraged to evaluate these alternatives seriously to build successful healthcare careers beyond the conventional MBBS route.