Doctorate of Medicine [MD] in Pediatrics Courses, Salary and Colleges

Stream: Medicine    
Duration: 3 Years

Course: Pediatrics

Course Type: Post Graduation

The Doctor of Medicine (abbreviated as M.D.) in Pediatrics is a postgraduate degree in the field of medicine, focusing on medical conditions affecting babies, children and young people. The branch specifically manages medical care for infants and adolescents. As per the standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, people under the age of 18 are considered for pediatric care. Physicians specializing in and practicing this area are known as pediatricians.

Pediatrics is a diverse specialty, with pediatricians needing to work in different verticals – in a general pediatric unit supervising a wide range of health conditions affecting children; managing long-term care of children and young people in community- based areas, and in highly specialized units such as neonatal medicine.

The duration of the course is 3 years including a qualifying examination which is held towards the end of the course. The eligibility required to pursue the course is a Medical Council of India (MCI)- recognized MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery) degree which represents the 1^st (undergraduate) level of training required to be licensed as a physician, and to pursue the MD degree.

Selection of eligible candidates is based on the candidate’s rank in the centralized national- level entrance examination, known as National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Post Graduate (NEET PG). AIIMS conducts its own entrance examination and selects students on the basis of merit.

The average tuition fee charged in India for MD in Pediatrics can go up to INR 25 Lacs for private institutes, however, it is as low as INR 5K for AIIMS.

Subjects taught in this course are Child care, Anatomy, Nutrition, Child Health, Community Health, Family Welfare and Child Psychology.

Lucrative career opportunities abound in the field of Pediatrics for successful postgraduates, such as in nursing homes, private and govt. hospitals, clinics and dispensaries, community units, teaching jobs in universities and colleges. Upon successful completion of the MD degree, remuneration goes higher, beginning from minimum INR 1-2 Lacs per month for a pediatrician.

MD Colleges In Karnataka

MD Colleges In Maharashtra

MD Colleges In Tamil Nadu

MD Colleges In Kerala

MD Pediatrics and DCH

MD in Pediatrics is a post graduate course of a 3- year duration, dealing with the medical care given to children, especially those below the age of 12 years. To pursue the course, aspirants need to have a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree recognized by the Medical Council of India and also need to have completed a 1- one year rotating internship.

As a related course, Diploma in Child Health (DCH) is a post graduate diploma course of 2- year duration, dealing with the nursing care of infants, children and also adolescents at the community level as well as at primary and secondary levels of health care.

MD in Pediatrics: Course Objectives

Listed here are some of the primary objectives of the course:

• To skill candidates in dealing with all kinds of pediatric diseases
• To provide comprehensive care for such children with long-term follow- up of chronic cases of childhood ailments
• To provide medical and para-medical education to students in order to ensure a holistic training including theoretical and practical skills
• To impart adequate training on providing nutritional advice for newborn babies, infants, children and adolescents, and on advising new parents regarding breast-feeding and balanced diet.
• To provide training in Pediatrics and Neonatology to produce competent specialists who are able to provide basic and specialty care to neonates, infants, children and adolescents.

MD in Pediatrics: Course Highlights

Tabulated below are some of the major highlights of the course.

Top Institutes Offering MD in Pediatrics

Listed below are some of the best institutes in India that offer MD in Pediatrics:

MD in Pediatrics: Course Duration

The duration of MD in Pediatrics is 3 years, spread over 6 academic terms. The 3 years of study include both theoretical and practical elements with focus on the practical side of the course.

The duration of MD in Pediatrics is 2 years for those who have done a recognized Postgraduate Diploma in the same specialty.

Eligibility for MD in Pediatrics

Typically, to pursue an MD degree, candidates should have obtained an MBBS Degree from an institution recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and should have completed 1 year of compulsory internship after qualifying the final professional examination of MBBS before the month of April of the relevant academic year.

Candidates with an MBBS degree or Provisional MBBS Pass Certificate recognized as by the Indian Medical Council Act 1956, a permanent or provisional registration certificate of MBBS qualification issued by the Medical Council of India or the State Medical Council, and having completed/ completing a 1- year internship on or before 31st March or 31^st April of the year of admission, may apply for NEET-PG through the online application system.

MD in Pediatrics: Admission Process

Admission to MD in Pediatrics is based on performance in the national level entrance examination- National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) PG- which is a single window entrance examination to MD/MS/PG diploma courses in Medicine. Candidates who have secured the qualifying percentile for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) are eligible for admission. Some institutes such as AIIMS, and CMC Vellore conduct their own entrance examinations and select students based on performance therein.

NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST (NEET) PG – NEET PG is an eligibility-cum-ranking examination, conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), for admission to MS/MD and PG Diploma courses in India in Medical/Dental Colleges approved by the Medical Council of India/ Dental Council of India. NEET-PG is a single window entrance examination for entry to MD/MS/Post Diploma courses. The exam fee for NEET-PG is INR 3, 750 for general candidates and INR 2, 750 for SC/ST/PWD/PH candidates. The examination is a computer- based test containing 300 multiple- choice questions delivered on a computer- based platform (CBT). The syllabus for the exam comprises subjects decided as per the Graduate Medical Education Regulations issued by the Medical Council of India. The NEET PG is conducted in the month of December and the result is declared in January. Online registration begins in September and is open until October.

MD in Pediatrics: Career Prospects

Pediatrics is a promising career option in India.  The need for talented professionals in pediatrics ensures numerous jobs opportunities for talented doctors. 

A post graduate in pediatrics can work as a Pediatrician or a Child Specialist in any of the country’s various private and government hospitals, or can set up their own private clinic and work as independent practitioners.

The remuneration offered to skilled pediatricians in India depends upon the individual’s experience and expertise. In the government sector, the pay ranges around INR 50,000 per month for freshers, INR 60,000 for middle-level practitioners, and INR 1,00,000 for senior pediatricians. In the private sector, the pay ranges between INR 35,000 to 60,000 and INR 1 lakh to 5 lakhs, depending on experience and the institute’s reputation.

Successful post graduates in pediatrics can also begin their own specialty children's center, and earn excellent salaries. Senior pediatricians in the country earn around INR 20,00000 – 35,00000 annually.

MD in Pediatrics: Areas of Employment

• Schools
• Clinics and Heath Departments
• Nursing homes
• Orphanages and old age homes
• Military
• Hospitals
• Training Institutes as educators
• Industrial houses and factories
• Railways and public sector medical departments

Academic Options after MD in Pediatrics

After obtaining the first postgraduate degree, i.e. MD/MS/DNB, successful postgraduates can go for further specialization in medical or surgical fields. They may even choose to pursue Ph.D. in Pediatrics and step into the field of research.

Listed here are some of the popular job positions offered to successful postgraduates of the discipline with the corresponding job descriptions and salaries offered.

MD in Pediatrics: Syllabus and Course Structure

Main subjects covered in the discipline are:

• Growth and Development
• Neonatology
• Behavioral & Developmental Disorders
• Social Pediatrics
• Genetics
• Nutrition
• Cardiovascular
• Respiratory
• Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease
• Renal Disorders
• Neurologic Disorders
• Hematology & Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Infections (Neonatal infections)
• Emergency & Critical Care
• Immunology & Rheumatology
• ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
• Skin Diseases
• Eye Diseases
• Orthopedics
• Psychological Disorders
• Social Issues: Children with special needs
• Fetus and Newborn
• Adolescent Health
• Digestive System
• Urological Disorders
• CNS (Central Nervous System)

Every candidate pursuing the MD degree is required to carry out compulsory research work on a selected project under the guidance of a qualified postgraduate teacher. It is mandatory for every candidate to submit a dissertation and the final acceptance of the dissertation is a precondition for the candidate to appear in the final examination.

Aspirants seeking admission to 3 years Full-time Doctorate of Medicine [MD]Program should meet the following criteria as specified by the institute.
Academic Requirement:

• The candidate must possess recognized MBBS degree and should have obtained permanent Registration as medical practitioners with the Medical Council of India or any of the State Medical Councils.
• In the case of foreign nationals holding non-schedule foreign medical qualifications, they must have temporary Registration (issued by Medical Council of India) for the duration of their postgraduate Training restricted to the medical college/institution to which they are admitted for the time being for postgraduate studies and for no other purpose.

Entrance Exam:

• Selection is based on NEET entrance exam.