How Hard Is MBBS in India? Year-wise Syllabus Difficulty Explained

Becoming a doctor in India starts with cracking the highly competitive NEET exam. But getting into medical college is just the beginning. The real challenge starts in medical college, which lasts over five and a half years.

If you’ve ever wondered, “How hard is MBBS in India?”, this article gives you a clear and simple breakdown of the syllabus difficulty year-by-year, student experiences, and how course tough­ness reflects in important exams like NEET PG.

Year-wise MBBS Syllabus Breakdown

First Year: Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry

• Duration: 12 months
• Subjects:
  1. Anatomy: The most detailed and vast subject. Students memorise body structures, bones, muscles, nerves, and vessels in extreme detail, often described as trying to remember every road and river on a map.
  2. Physiology: Focuses on how the body works, heart, lungs, kidneys, and more. Heavy on understanding concepts.
  3. Biochemistry: Deals with molecular processes in the body, requiring an understanding of complex chemical reactions and pathways.

Assessment:

• Internal assessment + University exam
• Practical + Theory components

Focus: Building the basic foundation in human structure and function.

Student Voice:
“Anatomy feels like memorising an entire map of India, every little detail!” S. Naaz, 1st year MBBS student, Delhi

Study Hour: 5-6 hours daily
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Fail Rate: Around 15-20% mainly in Anatomy

Second Year: Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology + Forensic Medicine

• Duration: 12-13 months
• Subjects:
  • Pathology: Connects basic science with clinical symptoms; key to understanding diseases.
  • Pharmacology: Memorising numerous drugs, their effects, doses, and side effects.
  • Microbiology: Study of microbes and infections, known for complex terminology.
  • Forensic Medicine: Basics of medical law and ethics.

Focus: Understanding disease mechanisms, drugs, microbes, and public health systems.

Clinical Exposure Begins
Students start clinical postings in hospitals under guidance, rotating across various departments.

Student Voice:
“Pharma and Microbiology together are a memory overload. Pathology is tough, but the heart of medicine.”  Rohit Vats, 2nd year MBBS Student, Mumbai

Study Hour: 6–7 hours daily
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Fail Rate: Around 20–25% (mainly Pharmacology & Microbiology)

Third Year (Part 1): Community Medicine, ENT, Ophthalmology

• Duration: 12 months
• Subjects:
  • Community Medicine (Preventive & Social Medicine): Heavy on theory, policy, and public health.
  • ENT & Ophthalmology: Mostly clinical with a compact syllabus.

Focus: Special senses, ENT diseases, and preventive medicine.

Student Voice:
“Community Medicine seems easy until viva; ENT can surprise you during tests.” Pooja R.., 3rd year, Karnataka

Study Load: 3–5 hours daily
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Fail Rate: Around 10–15%

Final Year (Part 2): Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry, and more

• Duration: 18–20 months
• Subjects:
  • Medicine & Surgery: Vast and crucial clinical subjects with an extensive syllabus and heavy exams.
  • Paediatrics & Obstetrics-Gynaecology: Emotionally and academically demanding.
  • Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, Dermatology, etc: Smaller but vital clinical areas.

Focus: Core clinical knowledge and hands-on patient care skills.

Student Voice:
“Final year is the ‘boss level.’ You juggle 8–10 subjects, endless clinicals, exams, and stress.” R. Bharti, Intern, Lucknow

Study Load: 7–9 hours daily
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Fail Rate: 25–30% in at least one subject

Internal Assessments & University Exams

Throughout the course, students undergo:

• Periodic internal assessments (theory + practical)
• Final university exams are conducted at the end of each phase
• Minimum 75% attendance and 50% score in internal exams required to appear in university exams

1-Year Compulsory Internship (CRMI)

After completing 4.5 years of academic learning, students begin a 12-month rotatory internship.

Internship Posting Includes:

Department	Duration
Medicine	2 months
Surgery	2 months
Obstetrics & Gynaecology	2 months
Pediatrics	1 month
Orthopaedics	1 month
Emergency Medicine	1 month
Community Health	1 month
Electives	2 months

Interns work under supervision in wards, ICUs, OPDs, and labor rooms, developing real-life clinical skills.

MBBS Degree & Registration

After successful completion of:

• Academic curriculum
• University exams
• Internship

Students receive their MBBS degree and become eligible for permanent registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or State Medical Council.

They can then:

• Start practising as general physicians
• Prepare for PG entrance exams like NEET-PG, INI-CET, USMLE, or PLAB (if planning to go abroad)

MBBS Syllabus at a Glance (Summary Table)

Year	Key Subjects Covered	Focus Area
1st Year	Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry	Basic Human Science
2nd Year	Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, FMT, Community Med	Disease & Drugs, Public Health
3rd Year	Ophthalmology, ENT, Community Medicine (continued)	Special Senses
Final Year	Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OBG, Psychiatry, etc.	Clinical Core & Patient Care
Internship	Rotatory postings in all major specialties	Practical Training

Is MBBS Harder Than NEET?

Aspect	NEET	MBBS
Duration	1 year (preparation)	5.5 years (course + internship)
Focus	MCQ-based theory	Theory + Practicals + Clinical work
Pressure Type	Competitive exam stress	Continuous learning & patient care
Outcome	Getting admission	Becoming a qualified doctor

Clearing NEET requires intelligence and hard work, but MBBS demands sustained effort, consistency, and real-world clinical skills. It is a test of character, endurance, and empathy.

Why Is MBBS So Tough in India?

• Vast Syllabus: 19 subjects taught over 5.5 years plus internship
• Continuous Evaluation: Frequent internal tests, vivas, clinical exams, and university exams
• Clinical Pressure: From the 3rd year onwards, students treat real patients under supervision
• Emotional Strain: Confronting illness, trauma, and sometimes death is part of training
• Demanding Schedule: College runs six days a week; internships include night duties

Tips to Survive and Thrive in MBBS

• Make a daily study plan and stick to it
• Join group discussions for a better understanding
• Use spaced repetition apps like Anki to memorise complex topics
• Seek mentorship from seniors and professors
• Don’t ignore your mental health; burnout is common

Is MBBS Worth It?

Yes, MBBS is tough. But it’s also fulfilling and transformative. It’s more than just passing exams; it’s about growing into a responsible, skilled, and compassionate doctor ready to serve society.

If you are ready to face this lifestyle and challenge, the journey will shape you in ways few courses can.