MCh Degree: Duration, Eligibility Criteria & Career Prospects
The most advanced and specialised post-doctoral/doctoral degree in surgery is called the Master of Chirurgiae, or MCh degree. After completing this three-year program, the Indian Medical System awards its highest degree in surgical science.
This blog will explain the eligibility criteria for the MCh degree, the top colleges, their fees, and much more.
Full Form of MCh Degree
The full form of MCh in medical field is Master of Chirurgiae. The MCh duration varies from three to five years, depending on the preceding degree that the students have completed. Students who have completed the MBBS or MD degree program may choose to pursue a Master of Chirurgiae degree in order to gain specialisation in a particular area of medicine, like MS in General Surgery.
MCh Degree: Overview
| Key Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form of MCh Degree | Master of Chirurgiae (MCh) |
| Duration | 3 years (post-MS/MD) |
| Eligibility | MBBS + MS/MD (in relevant discipline) |
| Specialisation Areas | Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Urology, Plastic Surgery, etc. |
| Entrance Exam | NEET-SS, AIIMS PG, JIPMER PG, and others |
| Mode of Study | Full-time |
| Course Level | Post-Doctoral (Super Speciality) |
| Average Course Fees | ₹3 Lakhs to ₹10 Lakhs per annum (varies by institution) |
| Top Institutes Offering MCh Degree | AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, CMC Vellore, etc. |
| Career Prospects | Consultant Surgeon, Professor, Specialist, Researcher |
| Average Salary | ₹12 Lakhs to ₹30 Lakhs per annum |
| Top Recruiting Hospitals | Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare, AIIMS, Government Hospitals, etc. |
Eligibility Criteria for MCh Degree
The following are the fundamental requirements that must be met in order to enrol in an MCh degree:
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Professional Master's degree in medical science (e.g., MS, MD, DNB, or equivalent) |
| Registration | Must have registered with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or the State Medical Council |
| Entrance Exam | Should have qualified for NEET SS (National Eligibility cum Entrance test for super specialty) before the cut-off date |
Entrance Exams for MCh Degree
Two major entrance exams help students get admission into an MCh degree, they are:
| Exam Name | Dates | Description |
|---|---|---|
| NEET SS | March 2025 | Specialised exam for super speciality courses like MCh and DM in India. This exam is held once a year. |
| INI CET | November 2024 | The entrance exam for postgraduate medical courses at AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, and NIMHANS. It is conducted twice a year for admissions into MD, MS, DM, and MCh courses. |
NEET SS is an entrance exam specifically for super speciality courses, and NEET PG is an entrance exam for courses such as MD. Get to know all about the NEET PG registration process and counselling.
Minimal Documentation. Higher Chances of Approval. Easy Online Processes. Check Your Eligibility.
MCh Degree Fees in Top Colleges
Let’s take a look at the government as well as private colleges that offer admissions to students for MCh degree:
1. Fees of Government Colleges for MCh Degree
| NIRF Ranking | College Name for MCh degree | Location | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AIIMS | New Delhi | INR 6,875 |
| 2 | Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) | Chandigarh | INR 6,690 |
| 4 | Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) | Lucknow | INR 1,37,334 |
| 6 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi | INR 42,978 |
| 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 |
| 14 | Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) | New Delhi | INR 15,000 |
2. Fees of Private Colleges for MCh Degree
| NIRF Ranking | College Name for MCh Degree | Location | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Christian Medical College (CMC) | Vellore | INR 4,97,700 |
| 7 | Kasturba Medical College (KMC) | Manipal | INR 49,60,000 |
| 11 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research | Chennai | INR 66,00,000 |
| 12 | St John’s Medical College | Bangalore | INR 26,35,000 |
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Syllabus for MCh Degree
| Year | Clinical Responsibilities | Academic Activities | Surgical Experience | Research |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year |
• Clinical exposure to bed responsibilities • On-call duties (houseman) - inpatients only • Exposure to intensive care and artificial respiratory support with ventilators |
• Journal Club/Topic discussions |
• Mainly assisting in all surgical procedures (emergency + elective) • Few operations under supervision |
• Protocol submission for research projects |
| Second Year |
• Ward responsibilities • Outpatient care • Supervision of 1st year residents |
• Topic discussions • Journal clubs • Grand rounds • Case conferences |
• Perform emergency and elective operations as specified • Surgical work as outlined by supervisor(s) |
• Project work |
| Third Year |
• Ward responsibilities (similar to 2nd year) • Outpatient care • Supervision of 1st year residents • Reduced ward duties in the later part |
• Topic discussions • Intra-department clinical case presentations • Clinical case presentations (3 times/week) |
• Expected to perform major abdominal operations independently • Surgical work, as mentioned |
• Emphasis on completion of projects/data analysis • Submission of research projects |
MCh is a super speciality degree, which means you will have to qualify for NEET UG, NEET PG, and then NEET SS to land an MCh degree. Check out the NEET PG Statewise Seat Distribution to set your goals and ace this exam.
Specialisation in MCh Degree: Fees and Average Salary
MCh is a super speciality course and can be done in various specialisations, including MCh Neurosurgery. Some of them are:
| MCh Degree Specialization | Description | Average Annual Fees | Average Salary (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCh in Cardiac Surgery | Focuses on surgical treatments for the heart and lungs, providing advanced skills to doctors in this speciality. | INR 2,00,000-6,00,000 | INR 8,00,000-20,00,000 |
| MCh in Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery | Specialises in thoracic organ transplants and treatment of heart diseases and pulmonary and mediastinal tumours. | INR 2,00,000-6,00,000 | INR 8,00,000-20,00,000 |
| MCh in Gastroenterology Surgery | Provides training in surgical procedures for organs involved in digestion, focusing on conditions like tumours. | INR 50,000-20,00,000 | INR 10,00,000-18,00,000 |
| MCh in Neurosurgery | Specialises in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders related to the nervous system. | INR 50,000-20,00,000 | INR 10,00,000-20,00,000 |
| MCh in Surgical Oncology | Focuses on surgical management and the treatment of tumours, including diagnosis, biopsy, and cancer treatment. | INR 50,000-20,00,000 | INR 10,00,000-25,00,000 |
| MCh in E.N.T. | Deals with advanced surgical treatments related to the ear, nose, and throat. | INR 2,00,000-6,00,000 | INR 8,00,000-18,00,000 |
| MCh in General Surgery | Provides comprehensive surgical training for general and common surgical conditions. | INR 2,00,000-6,00,000 | INR 8,00,000-18,00,000 |
| MCh in Anatomy | Focuses on advanced studies and surgical techniques related to human anatomy. | INR 2,00,000-6,00,000 | INR 8,00,000-18,00,000 |
| MCh in Pediatric Surgery | Specialises in surgical care for children, dealing with congenital and acquired conditions requiring surgical care. | INR 2,00,000-6,00,000 | INR 10,00,000-20,00,000 |
| MCh in Plastic Surgery | Focuses on reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries to restore or enhance body structures. | INR 50,000-20,00,000 | INR 10,00,000-25,00,000 |
| MCh in Urology | Deals with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system. | INR 50,000-20,00,000 | INR 10,00,000-24,00,000 |
| MCh in Gynaecology Oncology | Focused on diagnosing and treating cancers of the female reproductive organs, using advanced surgical and therapeutic techniques for optimal patient care. | INR 6,900 to INR 5,00,000 | INR 26,000 - 5,00,000 |
Career Prospects After Masters of Chirurgiae
This table provides an updated view of career paths and average salary expectations after completing an MCh degree.
| Job Position | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| General Surgeon | Specialises in performing surgeries to treat various medical conditions and injuries. | INR 11.60 LPA |
| Oncology Specialist | Focuses on diagnosing and treating cancer using medical treatments, therapies, and surgeries. | INR 12.20 LPA |
| Orthopaedic Surgeon | Diagnoses and treats conditions related to bones, joints, ligaments, and the skeletal system. | INR 15.39 LPA |
| Neurosurgeon | Specialises in diagnosing and treating disorders affecting the nervous system through surgeries. | INR 25.68 LPA |
| Urology Surgeon | Handles medical and surgical treatments for urinary tract disorders and male reproductive health. | INR 24.41 LPA |
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Difference Between MS, MCh and MBBS
MBBS, MS, and MCh are all medical degrees. The following table highlights the differences between these courses:
| Criteria | MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) | MS (Master of Surgery) | MCh Degree (Master of Chirurgiae) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Super-Specialty/Post-Doctoral |
| Duration | 5.5 years (including internship) | 2-3 years | Three years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with Biology, Chemistry, Physics | MBBS Degree | MS/MD in relevant specialisation |
| Specialisation | General medical training | Specialised in surgical disciplines such as General Surgery, Orthopaedics | Super-specialisation in fields like Neurosurgery, Urology, etc. |
| Focus Area | Broad medical knowledge, diagnosis, and basic surgical skills | Focus on advanced surgical training and techniques | Advanced surgical training in highly specialised areas |
| Career Prospects | General Practitioner, Junior Resident, Medical Officer | Surgeon, Consultant, Medical Professor | Super Specialist Surgeon, Consultant Surgeon, Senior Surgeon |
| Average Salary | INR 6-12 LPA | INR 10-18 LPA | INR 15-30+ LPA |
| Entrance Exams | NEET-UG | NEET-PG or other relevant exams | NEET-SS, AIIMS SS, JIPMER SS |
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