Master of Surgery, also known as MS, is a postgraduate speciality course approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The Master of Surgery course duration is 3 years, which candidates can only pursue after having an MBBS degree. The Master of Surgery Degree focuses on surgical practices and on equipping individuals with advanced surgical techniques, procedures, and patient management skills.
The eligibility criteria for an MS degree are an MBBS degree. Only the candidates who hold an MBBS degree can further pursue this speciality postgraduate course. Admission to this course is based on the entrance exams conducted by the National Medical Commission. Entrance exams that students need to clear are NEET-PG 2025 & INI-CET 2025.
The average Master of Surgery course fees in India range between INR 7,000 – 1,00,000 for colleges which are government-affiliated. Also, for private colleges, the fees for an MS Degree can go up to INR 35,00,000 – 1,35,00,000. Here are some of the top colleges/institutions in India that offer the course: AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Rishikesh, Sri Lakshmi Narayan Institute of Medical Science, Kasturba Medical College, etc.
Talking about the Jobs aspect, the Master of Surgery opens up various opportunities in which a candidate can become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Pediatric Surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, etc. Master of Surgery Salary in India can range between INR 10,00,000 – 45,00,000.
- Master of Surgery Course Highlights
- Why Pursue a Master of Surgery?
- Master of Surgery Eligibility Criteria
- Master of Surgery Entrance Exams
- Master of Surgery Top Colleges in India
- Master of Surgery Admission Process 2025
- Master of Surgery Specializations
- Master of Surgery Specializations Jobs & Salaries in India
- Master of Surgery FAQs
Master of Surgery Course Highlights
Given below are some of the basic highlights for the course Master of Surgery:
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | Master of Surgery (MS) |
Course Level | Postgraduate |
Duration | 3 Years/6 Semesters |
Course Type | Full-Time |
Admission Process | Entrance Based (NEET-PG, INI-CET) |
Eligibility Criteria | Obtained an MBBS degree from an NMC-recognized institution |
Course Fees (Average) | INR 7,000 – 1,35,00,000 |
Subjects | Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Cardiothoracic surgery, Oncology, Pediatric surgery, Otorhinolaryngology, Obstetrics and gynaecology, Laparoscopic surgery |
Top Colleges | AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Nagpur, Kastura Medical College, JSS Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University |
Job Profile | Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Pediatric Surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon |
Average Salary in India | INR 8,00,000 – 45,00,000 |
Why Pursue a Master of Surgery?
For medical professionals, earning a (MS) can be one of the most fulfilling choices. Consider this advanced degree for the following reasons:
- Surgery Specialization: With an MS, you can focus on pediatrics, neurosurgery, or orthopaedics. Your knowledge will be improved by this specialization, which positions you as an authority in your field.
- High Demand: There’s a strong demand for skilled surgeons in hospitals and clinics. With this master’s degree, you’ll be well-positioned for a stable and secure career in the field.
- Salary Potential: Surgeons usually earn high salaries, and as they specialize and acquire more experience, their income may increase significantly. This monetary incentive reflects the significance of surgical roles in healthcare.
- Impactful Work: As a surgeon, you have the opportunity to make a difference in patients' lives. Successful surgeries can lead to improved health outcomes and quality of life for your patients.
- Research Opportunities: Master of Surgery programs let you contribute to improving surgical techniques and patient care. Your work may lead to published studies and recognition in the medical field.
Master of Surgery Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Master of Surgery degree are listed below:
- The candidate must hold an MBBS degree recognized by the National Medical Council (NMC).
- Also, the candidate should hold 1-year rotational internship experience.
- For students to pursue a Master of Surgery course, they need to have a qualified entrance exam such as NEET-PG or INI-CET.
Master of Surgery Entrance Exams
Listed below are some of the common entrance exams that students need to take to pursue a Master's Degree.
Entrance Exam | Level | Registration Date | Exam Date | Application Fee |
NEET-PG 2025 | National | Till May, 2025 | 15 June 2025 | INR 3,500 (Gen/OBC)
INR 2,500 (SC/ST/PwD) |
INI-CET-2025 | National/Institutional | 10 Mar -15 Apr 2025 | 17 May 2025 | INR 4000 (Gen/OBC)
INR 3200 (SC/ST/EWS) |
Master of Surgery Top Colleges in India
Here are some of the top colleges in India that offer a Master of Surgery degree in India. Let’s have a look at them:
Institutes | NIRF Ranking (Medical) | Course Fee (Approx.) |
AIIMS Delhi | 1 | INR 7,000 |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetam, Coimbatore | 8 | INR 76,50,000 |
D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune | 11 | INR 1,07,00,000 |
AIIMS Rishikesh | 14 | INR 7,500 |
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai | 18 | INR 90,00,000 |
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh | 27 | INR 98,000 |
St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru | 28 | INR 35,12,000 |
Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore | 33 | INR 79,30,000 |
JSS Medical College, Mysore | 39 | INR 48,50,000 |
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Science, Villinaur | - | INR 1,06,00,000 |
Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai | - | INR 1,35,00,000 |
AIIMS Nagpur | - | INR 9,000 |
Santosh Deemed to be University, Ghaziabad | - | INR 90,00,000 |
Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Karad | - | INR 72,00,000 |
Master of Surgery Admission Process 2025
The admission process to this program can be different depending on the institution, but the procedure and admission criteria should be the same, set as per the National Medical Commission (NMC).
To provide a general idea about the admission to the candidate, below we’ve listed the admission process for DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune:
- Step 1: Start by registering yourself on the official website of NBE and enter your basic information, such as your name, email address, and phone number.
- Step 2:Fill out the form completely for the NEET-PG entrance exam by providing the required documents. Keep checking the NBE website regularly for the updates.
- Step 3: Download the admit card and appear for the entrance exam.
- Step 4: After the entrance exam, the selected candidates will move to the counseling phase.
- Step 5: Participate in the counselling session and secure your place in the Master of Surgery.
Master of Surgery Specializations
Listed below are all the specializations offered in the course. Let's have a look at them:
Specialization | College / University | Program Name | Duration | Annual Fees (INR) |
General Surgery | AIIMS New Delhi | MS in General Surgery | 3 Years | INR 5,730 |
General Surgery | PGIMER Chandigarh | MS in General Surgery | 3 Years | INR 10,380 |
General Surgery | CMC Vellore | MS in General Surgery | 3 Years | INR 48,330 |
General Surgery | BHU – IMS | MS in General Surgery | 3 Years | INR 44,700 |
Orthopaedics | AIIMS New Delhi | MS in Orthopaedics | 3 Years | INR 5,730 |
Orthopaedics | JIPMER Puducherry | MS in Orthopaedics | 3 Years | INR 2,380 |
Orthopaedics | KGMU Lucknow | MS in Orthopaedics | 3 Years | INR 80,000 |
ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) | AIIMS New Delhi | MS in ENT | 3 Years | INR 5,730 |
ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) | JIPMER Puducherry | MS in ENT | 3 Years | INR 2,380 |
ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) | CMC Vellore | MS in ENT | 3 Years | INR 48,330 |
Ophthalmology | AIIMS New Delhi | MS in Ophthalmology | 3 Years | INR 5,730 |
Ophthalmology | PGIMER Chandigarh | MS in Ophthalmology | 3 Years | INR 10,380 |
Ophthalmology | Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai | MS in Ophthalmology | 3 Years | INR 2,00,000 |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology | AIIMS New Delhi | MS in Obstetrics & Gynae | 3 Years | INR 5,730 |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology | CMC Vellore | MS in Obstetrics & Gynae | 3 Years | INR 48,330 |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology | AMU – JNMC | MS in Obstetrics & Gynae | 3 Years | INR 38,000 |
Anatomy | AIIMS New Delhi | MS in Anatomy | 3 Years | INR 5,730 |
Anatomy | JIPMER Puducherry | MS in Anatomy | 3 Years | INR 2,380 |
Orthodontics & Dentofacial Ortho. | Maulana Azad Dental College, Delhi | MS (Dental) Orthodontics | 3 Years | INR 35,000 |
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery | PGIMER Chandigarh | MS in Plastic Surgery | 3 Years | INR 10,380 |
Cardiothoracic Surgery | SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram | MS in Cardiothoracic | 3 Years | INR 20,000 |
Master of Surgery Specializations Jobs & Salaries in India
Here are some of the job profiles candidates can pursue after earning their Master’s Degree.
Job Title | Recruiters | Average Salary (INR LPA) |
General Surgeon | Vicente Ferrer Rural Development Trust / City Hospital / Sri Venkateshwaraa Group of Institutions / Fortis Hospitals / Apollo Group | INR 23,30,000 |
Consultant General Surgery | Medico Placements / Pristyn Care / Manipal Hospitals | INR 20,00,000 |
Senior Resident - General Surgery | MNR Medical College & Hospital / Manipal Hospitals | INR 10,00,000 |
Registrar General Surgery | AIIMS Delhi / JIPMER / Madras Medical College | INR 12,00,000 |
ENT Surgeon | Apollo Group / Fortis Hospitals / Medanta | INR 14,40,000 |
Orthopaedic Surgeon | Max Healthcare / Fortis Hospitals / Manipal Hospitals | INR 25,09,000 |
Neurosurgeon | AIIMS Delhi / PGIMER / Christian Medical College | INR 40,00,000 |
Gynaecologist | Fortis Hospitals / Apollo Group / Max Healthcare | INR 14,30,000 |
Master of Surgery FAQs
What skills are necessary to succeed while pursuing an MS degree?
Aspiring surgeons need strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work under pressure. Along with that, it is good to have good communication skills for interacting with patients and their families; in addition to this, teamwork is also crucial for collaborating with other healthcare professionals during surgeries.
How does the Master of Surgery prepare students for positions of leadership in the medical field?
The course includes training in critical scenario decision-making, surgical team coordination, and patient management. Graduates of this course are prepared to take on leadership roles in hospitals, such as overseeing surgical departments or multidisciplinary teams.
What is the difference between general surgery and specialized surgical fields within the MS program?
While specialized fields like neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, or pediatric surgery focus on particular anatomical areas and intricate procedures, general surgery concentrates on fundamental surgical techniques applicable across a range of conditions. Depending on their interests and professional aspirations, students can select their specialization.
How can students balance clinical practice with academic responsibilities during the MS program?
Balancing clinical rotations, coursework, and research requires effective time management and organizational skills. Many institutions provide mentorship programs or academic advisors to help students navigate their responsibilities and optimize their learning experience.
