Combined MBBS-BAMS Degree at JIPMER: Can It Produce Competent Doctors?

Combined MBBS-BAMS Degree: India’s Health Ministry has proposed an idea for an integrated MBBS–BAMS degree at JIPMER, Puducherry. If implemented, students would earn both MBBS and BAMS degrees in 5 years plus a 1-year internship, combining allopathic and Ayurvedic learning.

Supporters call it “a rare opportunity to create truly holistic doctors,” while critics warn of legal and safety issues.

Combined MBBS-BAMS Degree: Overview

• Program name: Integrated MBBS–BAMS Dual Degree
• Location: JIPMER, Puducherry
• Duration: 5 years coursework + 1-year internship
• Outcome: MBBS + BAMS (dual degrees)
• Status: Proposal stage – no final approval from NMC or NCISM yet

How the Combined MBBS–BAMS Program Works

Course Structure – Key Highlights

Component	Allopathy (MBBS)	Ayurveda (BAMS)
Basic Sciences	Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry	Ayurvedic Sharir, Dosha-Dhatu Concepts
Clinical Training	Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics	Panchakarma, Rasashastra, Herbal Therapeutics
Research & Evidence	Biostatistics, Clinical Trials	Ayurvedic Clinical Research

Career Path for Graduates

• Practice modern medicine and Ayurveda (subject to licensing)
• Sit for postgraduate entrance exams in either stream
• Potential roles in integrative clinics, research institutions, and government health projects

MBBS vs BAMS: Understanding the Two Degrees

Before discussing an integrated MBBS–Ayurveda program, it’s important to understand how MBBS vs BAMS differ in scope, curriculum and professional pathways.

Aspect	MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery)	BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery)
Regulatory Body	National Medical Commission (NMC)	National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM)
Duration	5.5 years (4.5 years study + 1 year internship)	5.5 years (4.5 years study + 1 year internship)
Focus	Modern (allopathic) medicine – anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, surgery, internal medicine, community medicine, etc.	Ayurvedic medicine – classical texts (Charaka, Sushruta), Ayurvedic pharmacology, panchakarma, herbal and lifestyle therapy, with exposure to modern anatomy and diagnostics
Licensing	Registration with the State/NMC Medical Council to practice modern medicine	Registration with the State/NCISM Board to practice Ayurveda
Career Pathways	MD/MS, DNB, super-specialty courses, hospital practice, research, teaching	MD/MS in Ayurveda specialties, hospital/clinic practice in Ayurvedic care, research, and teaching
Scope of Practice	Prescribe allopathic drugs, perform modern surgeries, and provide diagnostic and emergency care	Prescribe Ayurvedic formulations, perform Panchakarma, lifestyle counselling; limited exposure to modern medicine, depending on state rules
Legal Restrictions	Cannot prescribe Ayurvedic or herbal drugs without an appropriate additional qualification	Cannot prescribe allopathic drugs unless specifically trained and licensed (varies by state)

Key Takeaways on MBBS vs BAMS

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) represents India’s mainstream, evidence-based modern medical curriculum, producing doctors who work largely in hospitals, emergency care, and surgical settings.
• Bachelor of Ayurvedic, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) represents India’s traditional healing system, emphasising holistic wellness, prevention, and natural remedies.
• Both are 5½-year programs with internships but have separate councils, laws and licensing systems, meaning they currently produce two distinct professional streams.
• While there is some cross-learning, BAMS includes modern anatomy, and MBBS students learn about lifestyle and community health; each is designed for depth in its own system.
• The Combined MBBS-BAMS Degree proposal attempts to bridge this divide by offering dual expertise in one course, but doing so would require substantial curriculum expansion and legal reform.

Potential Advantages of an Integrated MBBS-Ayurveda Degree

Wider Clinical Perspective

Students get exposure to both body-based and holistic health models, enabling personalised care combining surgery, antibiotics, herbal support, and lifestyle guidance.

Expanded Treatment Options

Doctors could offer evidence-backed therapies from both systems, potentially filling gaps in rural healthcare where patients already use multiple systems.

Emphasis on Prevention and Wellness

Ayurveda’s focus on preventive medicine and lifestyle complements allopathy’s acute care model.

Evidence-Based Integration

If backed by research, India could create a “gold standard” of integrative healthcare, uniting validated traditional wisdom with modern clinical protocols.

Regulatory and Legal Challenges Facing the Combined MBBS-Ayurveda Degree

Absence of Legal Framework

• MBBS and BAMS are governed by separate acts and councils
• No existing provision for a dual degree in the current statutes

Regulator Buy-in Needed

• NMC and NCISM were not formally consulted (per RTI disclosures)
• Without explicit approval, the degree may lack recognition

Licensing and Accreditation Ambiguity

• Unclear how graduates would register and prescribe in both systems
• Risk of employers not recognising the dual qualification

Challenge	Current Status	What’s Needed
Legal Provision	None	Legislative amendment
Regulator Approval	Not secured	Joint NMC-NCISM curriculum
Licensing Pathway	Unclear	New combined registration

Read Also: History of Medical Education in India: Ancient to Modern Reforms

Safety and Quality Concerns of the MBBS–BAMS Model

Risk of Diluted Expertise

MBBS and BAMS are both 5½-year programs. Compressing them into one course could lead to superficial coverage.

Patient Safety Issues

Without mastery of both fields, cross-prescription could harm patients. IMA calls this “mixopathy” and warns against “hybrid doctors.”

Training Overload

Faculty, labs, and exams may be overstretched to cover two systems in one program.

Expert Perspectives on “Can a Combined MBBS-Ayurveda Degree Produce Competent Doctors?”

Supportive Views

• Dr. B.S. Prasad (NCISM): Evidence-based integration can improve patient outcomes
• Dr. B.B. Aggarwal (Sir Ganga Ram Hospital): Integration should focus on research and patient outcomes, not tradition vs. modernity

Cautionary Views

• Rakesh Mandal (activist): No legal provision for awarding MBBS and BAMS degrees together
• Career counsellor Sanjay Tiwari: Students should not assume automatic recognition of the dual degree

Balanced Solutions for the Integrated MBBS–BAMS Pathway

Gradual Integration Instead of Immediate Dual Degrees

• Cross-training modules for MBBS and BAMS students
• Joint research projects to test safety and efficacy

Evidence-Led Curriculum Design

• Validate Ayurvedic treatments through trials before integration
• Include biostatistics and critical appraisal modules

Clear Career and Licensing Pathways

• Define registration rules for dual-trained graduates
• Create transparent postgraduate eligibility norms

Can a Combined MBBS-BAMS Degree Produce Competent Doctors?

The JIPMER proposal is bold and potentially transformative. It could produce holistic doctors who bridge modern and traditional medicine, but only if legal, regulatory, and training challenges are addressed. Until then, medical students should approach the dual degree with caution and demand clarity regarding curriculum, licensing, and recognition.