Compare MD and Diploma: eligibility, entrance exams, salaries, recruiters, and FAQs.
Based on salary, fees, return on fees, admission routes and career options. Figures are midpoints of the ranges reported across colleges.
MD graduates report a higher typical average salary (₹ 5.8 L vs ₹ 4.6 L for Diploma).
Diploma is the more affordable option (typical fees ₹ 7.5 L vs ₹ 4.4 Cr for MD). Government colleges bring it to about ₹ 3.8 L.
One year of average salary for Diploma covers about 0.6× its average fees, compared with 0.0× for MD.
MD admits via Neet PG, NEET and 2 more; Diploma admits via CBSE Class 10 Exam, CUET and 2 more.
Comes out ahead on the most parameters in this comparison.
A good pick if its strengths match your priorities.
Match the choice to what matters most to you.
Diploma leads on lower average fees (₹ 7.5 L) and better salary-to-fees ratio (0.6×). MD has the edge on higher average salary (₹ 5.8 L). Weigh these against your eligibility, preferred entrance exams and career interests.
College
AIIMS Delhi
Fees: ₹ 2.5 K - ₹ 20.2 K
Salary: ₹ 3.4 L - ₹ 34.0 L
Courses: 27
College
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College
Fees: ₹ 1.6 L
Salary: -
Courses: 17
College
PGIMER Chandigarh
Fees: ₹ 20.3 L
Salary: ₹ 18.0 L
Courses: 14
College
NIMHANS
Fees: ₹ 1.6 L
Salary: ₹ 16.1 L
Courses: 2
College
JIPMER
Fees: ₹ 46.6 K
Salary: ₹ 24.0 L
Courses: 20
Eligibility
10th/12th
Top Entrance Exams
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 3.5 L - ₹ 8.0 L
Median Salary
₹ 32.0 K - ₹ 53.5 L
Average Fees
₹ 1.9 K - ₹ 8.7 Cr
Top Recruiters
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 16.8 K - ₹ 9.0 L
Median Salary
₹ 2.0 L - ₹ 10.0 L
Average Fees
₹ 650.0 - ₹ 15.0 L
Top Recruiters
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For MD, the most frequently associated entrance exams (by programme–college hits) are: Neet PG, NEET, INI CET, PGIMER. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
For Diploma, the most frequently associated entrance exams are: CBSE Class 10 Exam, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam, AP Polycet. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
MD shows a higher midpoint within its salary span (₹3,50,000 – ₹8,00,000) than Diploma (₹16,826 – ₹9,00,000).
Diploma has a lower midpoint within its fees span (₹650 – ₹15,00,000) than MD (₹1,927 – ₹8,74,64,200).
The most common duration shown is 3 years for MD and 1 year for Diploma.
