MD or Doctor of Medicine in Pathology is a study of different forms of diseases and the causes of those diseases along with their effects. MD in Pathology is a 2-year PG degree that can be done after MBBS. 

Candidates should have completed their MBBS from a recognized university to study MD Pathology. Also, candidates should have completed a 1-year mandatory training.

Admissions in MD Pathology are done based on scores obtained in entrance exams. In order to get admission to MD, candidates will have to go through any of the entrance exams like NEET PG, AIIMS PG, JIPMER, etc.

The top colleges of MD Pathology are Jamia Hamdard University, Christian Medical College, AIIMS, etc. Students who have completed MD Pathology are offered jobs with the roles of Medical Pathologists, Veterinary Clinical Pathologists, Forensic Pathologists, Professor, etc., at some of the finest Pathology labs in India - Lal Path Lab, Path Kind Lab, Thyrocare, Accu Health Diagnostic, Pioneer Healthcare, Lab Point, Dr. Lal Path Lab, Serum Group, Dhruv Pathology Labs.

Course Overview

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What is MD Pathology?

• MD Pathology is a postgraduate degree in medicine and diagnostics/ the study of disease. The eligibility for this course is an MBBS Degree from an institution acknowledged by the Medical Council of India (MCI) with minimum aggregate marks as required by the institute.

  • This specialty addresses the main 3 components of disease – cause, mechanism of development or origin, and consequences of changes.
  • The branch deals with diagnostic, testing and treatment methods using genetic technologies, thus underpinning the concept of patient care and prevention of diseases. Physicians practicing pathology are called pathologists.
  • They generally work with other doctors, scientists, and health professionals in hospitals and clinics to treat, diagnose, and prevent illnesses.
  • Pathology is quite simple, mapping the overall response of the body to any foreign influence, i.e., antigen or disease. Subsequently, this knowledge is used to diagnose and treat illnesses.
  • Pathologists compare a human body's normal structure and function (cell count, blood) to the abnormal structure and function observed when a person is not well.

Why Study MD Pathology? 

• Students can pursue clinical and laboratory-based research, thereby proving helpful in research-based studies on cancer or other serious illnesses.
• Pathology is the division of medical science that focuses on the effects, development, processes, and causes of diseases. Subjects studied under this degree are Pathology, Immunology, Microbiology, Medical Genetics, and Neuroscience.
• MD Pathology course also helps students develop the competence to diagnose necessary pathological conditions in various fields such as histopathology, cytopathology, hematology, and immunopathology.

Admission Process

• NEET PG is a single-window entrance examination to MD/MS/PG diploma courses in medicine in India. Candidates who secured the qualifying percentile for the NEET are eligible.
• NEET PG is an eligibility-cum-ranking examination held by CBSE for admission to MS/MD and PG Diploma programs in India in Medical/ Dental Colleges running with the approval of the (MCI) Medical Council of India / Dental Council of India.
• Candidates completed BSc. Pathology can pursue MSc—in pathology to later on pursue MD Pathology.
• The examination is a computer-based 300 multiple choice questions exam delivered on a computer-based platform (CBT).
• The selection is entirely based on merit obtained in the entrance exam and the choice of discipline allocated based on personal counseling.

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Entrance Exams

One has to appear for the medical entrance exams after completing MBBS and the one-year internship in order to get a chance to pursue MD Pathology. Here is the list of the MD Pathology entrance exams that one must qualify for to get MD Pathology.

• NEET PG
• AIIMS PG
• UPSEE
• DNB CET
• JIPMER

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates should have obtained an MBBS Degree from an institution recognized by the (MCI) Medical Council of India before 30th April of the academic year.
• They must pass with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.  
• The applicants must complete a 1-year training. Also, aspirants must pass the entrance exam of NEET-PG. 
• Students qualifying for this exam become eligible to be admitted to any medical college in India. 
• The AIMC specifies no age limit. 
• The minimum mark requirement for admission depends upon the respective universities. 

MD Pathology Admission Process 2024

• NEET PG is a single-window entrance examination to MD/MS/PG diploma courses in medicine in India. Candidates who have secured the qualifying percentile for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) are eligible.
• NEET PG is an eligibility-cum-ranking examination held by the CBSE for admission to MS/MD and PG Diploma programs in India in Medical/ Dental Colleges running with the approval of the Medical Council of India/ Dental Council of India.
• Candidates who have completed BSc. Pathology can pursue an MSc—in pathology to pursue an MD later.
• The examination is a computer-based 300 multiple choice questions exam delivered on a computer-based platform (CBT).
• The selection is entirely based on merit obtained in the entrance exam and the choice of discipline allocated based on personal counseling.

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Course Fee

The fee for MD in Pathology courses is different for every college. Private colleges' cost is more than government or public colleges. Private colleges' average course fee range varies between 5,75,000 to 30,00,000 INR. Government or public medical institutions' average course fee ranges between 50,000 to 5,00,000 INR. This college fee depends upon several factors: location, the laboratory's available resources, infrastructure, etc.

Syllabus

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MD Pathology top Colleges In India

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MD Pathology Scope

MD Pathology Is an after-graduating professional course to help aspiring candidates become a pathologist. Candidates must complete MBBS to opt for the course of MD Pathology; hence it makes the student more knowledgeable in the field of study and helps him/her become a good pathologist.

• They may even set up their private clinics known as diagnostic laboratories. Pathologists are recruited lucratively in the private/ corporate sectors/ hospitals and are paid INR 60 to 80,000 monthly.
• Pathologists typically function in 3 broad areas- as diagnosticians in hospitals, investigators or researchers in medical laboratories, and teachers in colleges and universities.
• Successful postgraduates of the discipline work as Specialists in any sub-branches of pathology, such as surgical pathology, anatomical pathology, veterinary pathology, molecular pathology, clinical pathology, plant pathology, and forensic pathology.
• They are employed in public health, law enforcement, and government agencies, among other fields. They may even step into research and pursue a Ph. D in any specialized branch of pathology.
• As fresh postgraduates, pathologists earn about INR 8000 to Rs.12000 monthly. With experience, the salary increases from INR15,000 to 22,000 monthly. In private hospitals, they may earn about INR 3,00,000 to 3,50,000 yearly in the beginning.

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