MBBS Syllabus 2025 – Subjects, Phases & Duration Explained

MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is a comprehensive 5.5-year undergraduate program in India, designed to train students to become competent medical professionals. It comprises 4.5 years of academic education followed by a 1-year compulsory rotating internship. The syllabus is structured as per the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines under the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum.

Course Structure & Assessment Overview

Phase	Duration	Semesters	Key Focus & Assessments
Phase I – Pre‑Clinical	1 year	1–2	Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry; OSPEs, viva, 75% attendance
Phase II – Para‑Clinical	1 year	3–5	Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine
Phase III – Clinical	2.5 years	6–9	Clinical rotations, integrated assessments, AETCOM module
Rotating Internship	1 year	–	Mandatory clinical clerkships in core specialties
National Exit Test (NExT)	Final year	–	Licensing and PG entrance exam

MBBS Semester-wise Syllabus

The MBBS program in India is a structured five-and-a-half-year course regulated by the National Medical Commission (NMC). It is divided into nine semesters followed by a one-year compulsory internship. Below is a semester-wise detailed syllabus breakdown with subjects, topics, descriptions, and assessments for each semester.

Semester 1 Syllabus

Subject	Topics	Topic Description	Assessment
Anatomy	Gross Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, Neuroanatomy, Surface Anatomy	Study of human body structures, their development, microscopic anatomy, nervous system structure, and surface landmarks.	Theory + Practical exams, OSPEs, Viva, 75% attendance mandatory
Physiology	Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Renal, Neurophysiology, Endocrine	Understanding functions of body systems, their interactions, and hormonal regulation mechanisms.
Biochemistry	Biomolecules, Enzymes, Metabolism, Vitamins	Molecular composition of life, enzymology, energy production, and nutritional biochemistry.

Semester 2 Syllabus

Subject	Topics	Topic Description	Assessment
Anatomy	Thorax, Abdomen, Pelvis, Embryology Continuation	Focuses on internal organ structure and embryonic development of the urogenital and digestive systems.	University exams + Internal assessments
Physiology	Nervous System, Special Senses	Detailed structure and function of the brain, spinal cord, eye, and ear physiology.
Biochemistry	Molecular Biology, Diagnostic Biochemistry	Gene expression, protein synthesis, diagnostic techniques such as ELISA, RFT, LFT.

Semester 3 Syllabus

Subject	Topics	Topic Description	Assessment
Pathology	General Pathology, Systemic Pathology	Study of disease mechanisms, inflammation, neoplasia, and organ-specific diseases.	Theory + Practical exams, Viva, Clinical correlation assignments
Microbiology	Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Immunology	Structure, classification, and pathogenesis of microbes and host defense mechanisms.
Pharmacology	Pharmacokinetics, Drug Mechanisms, Drug Classes	Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and clinical pharmacology principles.
Forensic Medicine	Toxicology, Legal Procedures, Postmortem	Medical jurisprudence, handling poisoning cases, documentation of injuries and deaths.
Community Medicine	Epidemiology, National Health Programs	Health indicators, disease control programs, immunization schedules, and public health policies.

Semester 4 Syllabus

Component	Topics	Description	Assessment
Postings	Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Pediatrics, Psychiatry	Clinical ward exposure to patient management, diagnosis, and treatment basics.	Bedside viva, Internal logbook evaluation
Skills	Case taking, Clinical examination	History recording, systemic examination, and patient communication skills.

Semester 5 Syllabus

Component	Topics	Description	Assessment
Topics	Medicine, Community Health, Pediatric ICU	Continued clinical training with public health duties and ICU observation.	Case logs, Observation notes, Internal marks
Skills	ICU, Obstetric procedures, Lab training	Assisting deliveries, emergency handling, blood grouping, specimen collection.

Semesters 6–7 Syllabus

Component	Topics	Description	Assessment
Specialties	ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Psychiatry	Focused training on ENT pathologies, eye disorders, dermatologic procedures, and mental health diagnosis.	Mini-CEX, OSCE, Logbook entries
Skills	Otoscopy, Slit-lamp exam, CPR, Skin biopsy	Procedural training in minor surgeries and life-saving techniques.

Semesters 8–9 Syllabus

Component	Topics	Description	Assessment
Core Postings	General Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OBG, ICU	Long-term clinical postings with emphasis on critical care, patient handling, and emergency protocols.	Final exams (NExT), Long case/short case, Integrated OSCE, Logbook & Internship Assessment
Assessment	Case presentations, Viva, Clinical rounds	Detailed analysis and diagnosis of patient cases during rounds and discussions.
Exit Exam	NExT (National Exit Test)	Mandatory MBBS exit and PG entrance exam, includes both theoretical and practical assessments.

Core and Elective Subjects in MBBS

In the MBBS curriculum, subjects are classified into core (compulsory) and elective (optional) categories as per NMC guidelines. Here’s a structured breakdown:

Type	Subjects	Description
Core Subjects	Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine, ENT, Ophthalmology, General Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Dermatology	These are mandatory subjects taught throughout the semesters. They form the foundation of clinical knowledge and medical practice.
Elective Subjects	Medical Humanities, Infectious Diseases, Radiology, Palliative Care, Research Methodology, Bioethics, Geriatric Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Nutrition, Sports Medicine	These are selected by students during the clinical years (usually in 8th–9th semesters). Electives allow exposure to specialized areas of interest and research.

Marks Distribution & Assessment Structure

Component	Marks
Theory (per subject)	2 papers x 100 = 200
Practical/Clinical + Viva	100
Internal Assessment	20–40% weightage
OSPE/OSCE (skills)	Included in practicals
Total (per subject)	300

MBBS Syllabus PDF Download

• NMC MBBS Curriculum Volume I (Pre-Clinical)
• Volume II (Para-Clinical)
• Volume III (Clinical)

Recommended Books for MBBS

Subject	Recommended Books
Anatomy	Gray’s Anatomy, Snell’s Clinical Anatomy
Physiology	Guyton & Hall, Ganong
Biochemistry	Harper’s, Satyanarayana, Lehninger
Pathology	Robbins & Cotran, Harsh Mohan
Pharmacology	K.D. Tripathi, Rang & Dale
Microbiology	Ananthanarayan, Jawetz
Forensic Medicine	Reddy’s Essentials
Community Medicine	Park’s Textbook
Medicine	Harrison’s Principles, Kumar & Clark
Surgery	Bailey & Love, Sabiston
Pediatrics	Nelson’s Pediatrics
OBG	DC Dutta, Williams Obstetrics
ENT	Dhingra, Cummings
Ophthalmology	Kanski, Parsons
Psychiatry	Kaplan & Sadock

MBBS Preparation Tips

• Create a subject-wise study plan aligned with semester objectives.
• Use diagrams, mnemonics, and clinical correlations for concept clarity.
• Revise frequently and solve previous year questions.
• Maintain a logbook for clinical and procedural skills.
• Participate in case presentations and seminars.
• Use mock tests to simulate exam pressure.
• Stay consistent with AETCOM skill documentation.

Post-MBBS Specializations

• NEET-PG: MD/MS in Medicine, Surgery, Radiology, Pediatrics, etc.
• Super-specialties: DM (Cardiology, Neurology), MCh (Neurosurgery, Urology)
• Other Fields: Hospital Management, Medical Research, Public Health, Medical Writing

Conclusion

The MBBS syllabus is structured to build a strong foundation in basic and clinical sciences, fostering the development of skilled, ethical, and compassionate medical professionals. With the introduction of NExT and CBME, the curriculum now emphasizes practical competence, critical thinking, communication, and a patient-first approach. To excel, students should focus on integrated learning, hands-on training, consistent practice, and mental resilience throughout the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – MBBS Syllabus

1. How many years is the MBBS course in India?

The MBBS program in India spans 5.5 years, including 4.5 years of academic study divided into 9 semesters and 1 year of compulsory rotatory internship.

2. What are the major subjects in MBBS?

Major subjects include Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Pediatrics and more. These are part of the core curriculum.

3. Are electives compulsory in MBBS?

Yes, as per the revised NMC curriculum, every MBBS student must complete at least one elective posting during the clinical phase (8th or 9th semester). Electives help students explore specialized fields.

4. What is the NExT exam in MBBS?

NExT (National Exit Test) is a mandatory exit exam introduced by the NMC. It replaces the final university exams and also acts as a postgraduate entrance test.

5. What is the eligibility for MBBS in India?

Eligibility includes passing 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and qualifying the NEET-UG examination.

6. Is internship part of the MBBS syllabus?

Yes, the 12-month rotatory internship is a mandatory component of the MBBS program. It includes postings in various departments to develop clinical skills.

7. How many clinical subjects are there in MBBS?

Major clinical subjects include Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Pediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, and Dermatology.

8. How is the MBBS syllabus assessed?

Assessment includes theory exams, practicals, vivas, clinical skill tests (OSCE/OSPE), logbook maintenance, and final NExT exam.

9. Can I choose electives like Radiology or Sports Medicine?

Yes, during the final year, students may choose electives like Radiology, Sports Medicine, Emergency Medicine, or others depending on institutional offerings.

10. Is the MBBS syllabus available in PDF format?

Yes. You can Download the official MBBS syllabus PDF here for offline access.