When we look at the present scenario of MBBS graduates in India, we can see that there are several different pathways available, though each comes with its own limitations.
The first and most commonly discussed option is preparing for postgraduate entrance exams such as NEET-PG or INI-CET. Through this route, you can specialise in any branch you prefer. However, this is not the path that everyone chooses, and many graduates decide to start working immediately.
Another major path is working as a general practitioner in clinics in tier-2 or tier-3 cities. In such settings, the typical monthly earning ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹80,000, and in the best cases it may go up to ₹90,000. If you work in busy casualty departments in tier-2 hospitals, the income can be slightly higher, around ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,20,000 per month.
There is also the option of joining corporate hospitals as a junior doctor, resident doctor, or academic resident. But even in these settings, the usual salary is around ₹50,000 per month. Some graduates move into non-clinical roles such as insurance claim officers and similar administrative jobs, where the salary again stays in the range of ₹50,000 to ₹60,000. Tele-consultations through apps like Practo or Tata are also an option, though they usually work as a supplementary income rather than a main source.
Working in the government sector is another pathway. Through UPSC or state PSC exams, doctors can earn anywhere from ₹60,000 to about ₹1,20,000–₹1,30,000 depending on the state and posting.
There are also less commonly chosen routes such as doing an MBA or taking up hospital administration. Some doctors explore research pathways, or they join short-term fellowships. Popular ones include cosmetology, diabetology, or distance-mode fellowships like family medicine from institutions such as CMC Vellore. After completing these, you can practise as a general practitioner with additional training in a particular area—whether diabetes, cosmetology, or family medicine—but you are still limited to basic practice and cannot perform interventions.
Saturation and Regional Differences
Now coming to the saturation of MBBS doctors, the situation varies across regions. In the northern states, there are a large number of clinics and significant competition, especially due to RMPs or “quacks” who work for very low salaries. They occupy many positions in tier-4, tier-3, and tier-2 hospitals, making it difficult for qualified doctors to secure better-paying roles. On top of that, Ayurveda and homeopathy practitioners often prescribe allopathic medications illegally, which adds further competition.
In the southern states, the scenario is slightly different. There are stricter laws and more frequent inspections, so the presence of quacks is considerably lower. Still, even here the number of MBBS graduates has been rising steadily. Every year, more medical colleges open and seats increase. Added to that, foreign medical graduates also enter the pool. Naturally, this leads to increasing saturation year by year.
Another trend is the rapid increase in small clinics in tier-2 and tier-3 towns. While there are many new clinics opening in every corner, the patient load is often very low. Because of this, clinic owners are forced to reduce their per-hour salary for doctors. With many doctors available and fewer patients, the income automatically goes down. This is the practical reality many MBBS graduates are facing in India today.
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