Difference Between MD and DM in Medical Degree for Students

The Difference Between MD and DM is an important distinction for medical students looking to pursue advanced degrees. MD is a postgraduate degree that offers a broad understanding of medicine whereas DM is a super-specialty degree pursued after MD, focusing on a specific area of medicine. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right medical profession. To make things more easy to understand, here is a comprehensive blog on the difference between MD and DM degree in medical, their eligibility, scope, salary, and more details.

Difference Between MD and DM in Medicine

The difference between MD and DM is significant when it comes to medical education and career prospects. Both courses are designed to cater to different requirements and aspirations of students. 

Basis of Comparison between MD and DM	MD	DM
MD and DM Full Form in Medical	Doctor of Medicine	Doctorate of Medicine
Difference Between MD and DM Degree Definition	MD is a postgraduate degree in general medicine.	DM is a super-specialty degree pursued after MD.
Difference Between MD and DM Eligibility Criteria	MBBS degree is required to enroll in an MD program.	Completion of an MD degree is necessary for DM.
Focus Area	Focuses on broad medical training in various fields.	Specializes in a specific medical field or discipline.
Duration	Typically 3 years.	Typically 3 years after MD.
Scope of Practice	Prepares doctors for general physician roles.	Prepares specialists for advanced medical expertise.
Examples of Specializations	General Medicine, Pediatrics, Gynecology, etc.	Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, etc.
Academic Level	Postgraduate degree.	Doctorate-level degree.
Career Opportunities	General practitioner, medical professor, etc.	Specialist, consultant, or senior professor.
Global Recognition	Widely recognized internationally.	Recognized for super-specialty roles globally.
Difference Between MD and DM Salary	The salary for MD holders typically ranges from ₹8-15 lakhs per annum, depending on the speciality and experience.	Being specialists, DM holders earn higher salaries ranging from ₹12-30 lakhs per annum, depending on the specialization and expertise.

What is the Difference Between MD and DM Degree?

Now that you have an overview of the difference between MD and DM, it will be easier for you to study it in depth.

What is MD Degree? 

MD stands for Doctor of Medicine. It is a postgraduate or master’s degree. Only after earning an MBBS degree, a candidate becomes eligible for MD. An MD degree is considered a professional doctorate in several nations for surgeons and physicians whereas others regard it as a research degree comparable to a PhD. An MD graduate is expected to help future students become a specialist in the medical field. The duration of the degree is usually two years.

What is a DM Degree? 

DM, also known as Doctorate of Medicine is an advanced program in the medical field. A candidate successfully completing this course gets a Postgraduate Super Speciality Degree. The course continues for a period of 3 years including the examination duration. The candidates attain theoretical knowledge, clinical & practical skills, training for research methodology and also develop the right attitude for communication during the course. 

MD vs DM Eligibility

Now that you know what is the basic different between MD and DM, let us know understand the eligibility for both medical courses.

MD Degree Eligibility

The following are the criteria for MD and its specializations in India:

• Candidates must obtain an MBBS degree from a recognised medical college. 
• MD is a postgraduate degree, students must obtain a NEET-PG score/rank to be considered for admission to one of India’s MD specializations.
• The qualifying examination’s minimum aggregate score requirement differs by the college; as a result, all candidates should check the eligibility criteria given by the college of their choosing.

DM Degree Eligibility

The Doctorate of Medicine, or DM, is typically pursued by ambitious degree doctors who want to reach the highest professional achievements. Any doctor with an MD degree is eligible to enrol in the DM programme. The student’s academic merit is considered when they are selected for this programme. One of the following criteria is used to evaluate the merits of a degree or diploma programme, regardless of whether it is a degree or diploma programme:

• The candidate’s merit is based on the results of competitive exams conducted by the State Government or by a similar competent authority appointed by the State Government. One or more state universities can also appoint such a committee to run the test jointly.
• The merit is determined by a centralised national competitive test.
• If the candidate graduated from the same university, the candidate’s overall performance on the first two exams plus the M.B.B.S exam, or a combination of the first and third exams, can be taken into account.
• Regardless of which state government, university, or governing body administers the DM exam for admission to the course, general candidates must score a minimum of 50% and SC, OBC, or ST candidates must score a minimum of 40%.
•  In the case of non-governmental institutions, the competent authority must fill half of the seats and the management must fill the remaining half. This must be done on the basis of the students’ individual merits.

Admission Process of MD vs DM

Candidates must first satisfy the qualifying standards in order to pursue an MD degree from one of India’s medical schools. Results from the NEET-PG exams, which are taken for practically all PG medical courses in India, are used to determine admission to the programme.

Exam NEET-PG is necessary for MD Medicine Counseling sessions held by the appropriate body across India would be the basis for admissions. All applicants must first take the NEET-PG exam, which is valid for the academic year in which they intend to start the programme. After the NEET-PG results are announced, the MD admission procedure will start with the publication of the merit list.

Applicants for the DM programme must pass an entrance exam. These tests are administered by both the state government and medical schools. A student must have a minimum of 50% to apply to the programme. One student is chosen per year to take the course. Any applicant interested in pursuing a doctorate in medicine must get ready for tests like the NEET SS, AIIMS SS, and INI CET exam.

Difference Between MD and DM Salary and Scope

Now, let us take a look at the difference between MD and DM salary and scope. The scope and salary of MD and DM degrees differ significantly, as they cater to different levels of specialization and expertise within the medical field.

MD Scope and Career Opportunities

An MD or Doctor of Medicine degree opens various career paths for students wanting to pursue a career in the medical field. You can choose to work in the public and private sectors. The most common job roles for MD graduates include:

• General Physician
• Internal Medicine Doctor
• Paediatrician
• Gynecologist
• Anesthesiologist

An MD degree equips students with the skills to diagnose and treat medical conditions. The salary for MD graduates typically ranges between ₹8-15 lakhs per annum, depending on the specialisation and experience. 

DM Scope and Career Opportunities

DM holders are highly sought in specialized medical roles in hospitals, medical centers, and research institutions. Some of the most prominent career opportunities for DM graduates include:

• Cardiologist
• Neurologist
• Gastroenterologist
• Endocrinologist
• Oncologist

Due to their specialised expertise, DM graduates get higher salaries compared to MD holders, typically ranging from ₹12-30 lakhs per annum. However, the final amount depends on your individual skills and expertise. 

Difference between MD and DM in India

Both MD and DM are the Medical degrees awarded by the Medical Council of India. MD is a Post Graduate degree awarded after three years of training in subjects of having non-surgical nature. DM is a super speciality degree taken in the Medical field after doing post-graduation. 

Some other differences between MD and DM are:

• MD is a postgraduate degree which is taken after doing MBBS and DM is the super speciality degree which is taken after doing MD, MS or DNB
• Both of these degrees are awarded by the Medical Council of India, but the DM degree is considered a higher degree than MD. 
• Doctors having a DM degree usually get more reputation and salary than doctors having an MD degree.

Top MD Colleges Abroad

• McMaster University
• The University of Melbourne
• Queen’s University
• Western Sydney University
• University of Pittsburgh

Top DM Colleges Abroad

• University Of Auckland
• University Of Melbourne
• National University Of Singapore
• Harvard University
• University Of Oxford

MD Degrees

Various MD degrees approved by the Medical Council of India are given below: 

MD in Anesthesiology	MD in Nuclear Medicine
MD in Aviation Medicine	MD in Obstetrics and Gynecology
MD in Biochemistry	MD in Ophthalmology
MD in Biophysics	MD in Pediatrics
MD in Community Medicine	MD in Pathology
MD in Dermatology	MD in Pharmacology
MD in Dermatology and Venereology	MD in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
MD in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy	MD in Physiology
MD in Forensic Medicine	MD in Psychiatry
MD in General Medicine	MD in Radiology
MD in Geriatrics	MD in Radio Diagnosis
MD in Health Administration	MD in Radiotherapy
MD in Hospital Administration	MD in Social and Preventive Medicine
MD in Lab Medicine	MD in Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases
MD in Microbiology	MD in Venerology

DM Degrees

Various DM degrees approved by Medical Council of India are given below :

DM in Cardiology	DM in Clinical hematology
DM in Neurology	DM in Clinical Pharmacology
DM in Nephrology	DM in Medical Gastroenterology
DM in Gastroenterology	DM in Medical Oncology
DM in Immunology	DM in Neonatology
DM in Rheumatology	DM in NeuroRadiology
DM in Endocrinology	DM in Pulmonary Medicine

MD vs DM: Which is Better for you?

Choosing between an MD and DM can be a challenging decision for aspiring medical professionals. Both degrees offer distinct career paths, so it’s important to align your choice with your long-term goals and interests.

• Career goals: If you’re interested in a broader medical practice, MD might be the right choice. For those looking to specialize in a specific field, DM can be a great option.
• Time commitment: If you want to enter the job market quickly, you can complete an MD in 3 years only. On the other hand, DM is pursued after MD, extending the training duration.
• Salary expectations: DM specialists generally earn higher salaries due to their advanced specialization as compared to MDs.
• Job roles: MD graduates work as general practitioners, while DM graduates become specialized consultants or senior doctors.

FAQs

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