MS (Master of Surgery) in General Surgery is a postgraduate degree that lasts for three years and is one of the most popular medical courses among candidates in India. It provides advanced training and allows doctors to acquire expertise in various surgical procedures across a wide range of specialities.

In this guide, we will discuss the course details, eligibility criteria, syllabus, top colleges, salary, and scope of MS General Surgery in India.

Read more for a detailed insight!

What is MS in General Surgery? 

MS in General Surgery is a 3-year postgraduate degree for MBBS degree holders. It provides advanced training in surgical practice and good career opportunities with a competitive salary. 

The MS in General Surgery is a postgraduate degree in India. It is typically 3 years in duration and is sought after by MBBS graduates who wish to get specialised training in clinical practice. 

This training enables doctors to acquire skills in surgical techniques, patient care, and trauma management. The programme includes theoretical learning, practical and operative exposure, and research. It is considered one of the toughest and most rigorous courses, where doctors get real-life and hands-on experience in operating rooms and opportunities to assist in surgeries. 

Course Overview of MS in General Surgery 

The table below provides you with a brief overview of the entire MS in General Surgery course:

Particulars	Details
Course Name	MS in General Surgery (Master of Surgery – General Surgery)
Course Level	Postgraduate Degree
Duration	3 Years
Eligibility Criteria	MBBS degree from an MCI/NMC-recognised medical college with at least 50% aggregate, completion of a one-year compulsory internship, and permanent registration with the Medical Council (State or National).
Admission Process	Based on NEET PG entrance exam scores, followed by centralised counselling (AIQ/State quota).
Entrance Exam	NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Postgraduate)
Average Course Fee	₹20,000 to ₹10,50,000 (varies across government and private medical colleges)
Average Salary	₹10 – ₹20 LPA (depending on experience, skills, and sector)
Top Recruiters	AIIMS, Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Medanta, Max Healthcare, Narayana Health, Manipal Hospitals, Care Hospitals, Wockhardt Hospitals, Hiranandani Hospital
Career Options	General Surgeon, Paediatric Surgeon, Trauma Surgeon, Surgical Oncologist, Vascular Surgeon, Surgical Researcher, Consultant Surgeon, Hospital Administrator

Why Choose an MS in General Surgery? 

General surgery as a career option is excellent because this degree equips doctors with rigorous training, critical decision-making skills, and the ability to handle complex medical cases.

Some of the reasons this course can be considered a life-changing experience are:

• High Demand and Relevance: General surgeons are in high demand because trauma cases, lifestyle diseases, and surgical advancements have increased.
• Rewarding Career and Salary: General surgeons are paid a good, competitive salary, which ranges from ₹10 to ₹20 LPA. With experience and practice, it can exceed ₹50 LPA.
• Superspecialisation: It acts as the basis for superspecialisation courses such as M.Ch  in Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, etc. Therefore, an MS allows one to take a more refined career expertise.
• Prestige and Respect: A surgeon is seen as a medical professional of high credibility and reputation.  

What is the Admission Process for MS in General Surgery?

Candidates aspiring to take admission in MS in General Surgery need to follow the eligibility requirements and appear for entrance exams such as NEET-PG and INI-CET. They must hold an MBBS degree and complete the required internship period. 

The admission process for MS in General Surgery is primarily based on entrance examinations and the candidate’s academic performance during their MBBS programme and one-year internship. 

What are the Eligibility Criteria for MS in General Surgery? 

To be eligible for the MS in General Surgery, candidates must fulfil the following requirements mandated in the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000: 

• Candidates must hold an MBBS degree with 5%+ aggregate from a recognised institute.
• Students must have at least one year of compulsory rotatory internship before the cutoff date. 
• Students must pass the entrance examination with minimum qualifying marks (50% for general category candidates and 40% for SC/ST/OBC/Category-I candidates) 

Note: Indian nationals who hold the PIO/OCI cards are eligible to apply for the examination under the General Category. Foreign nationals need to apply under the NRI category. 

What are the Entrance Exams for Admission? 

Admissions to the MS General Surgery Programme are entrance-based. The following examination is accepted across institutions in India: 

Exam Name	Conducting Body	Details
NEET-PG	National Board of Examinations (NBE)	Check out the Details
INI-CET	AIIMS, New Delhi	Check out the Details

How to Prepare for the MS General Surgery Entrance Examination? 

Candidates aspiring for an MS in General Surgery already have exposure to a clinical setting with their MBBS degree. Additionally, they also need to do focused preparation for NEET-PG or INI-CET. Follow the tips mentioned below:

• Understand the complete NEET-PG and INI-CET syllabus thoroughly. 
• Analyse the paper pattern and marking scheme of the examinations. 
• Prepare for the examination using mock tests and previous year papers. 
• Revise high-yield topics regularly. 

Pro Tip: To get a head start in your MS General Surgery preparation, partner up with a smart study platform like DocTutorials. 

What is the Scope of MS in General Surgery

An MS in General Surgery provides different types of career opportunities in clinical settings, research, and training. Graduates can work across different job profiles like endocrine surgeon, vascular surgeon, plastic surgeon, and neurosurgeon. They also have an opportunity to work overseas. 

MS in General Surgery has an excellent scope, as it provides ample opportunities in clinical practice, research, and teaching:

• With rapid growth in healthcare and its demands, skilled surgeons are increasingly sought out both in India and abroad. 
• Graduates can work as consultant surgeons in hospitals, trauma centres or private setups. Many degree holders also choose to further enhance their expertise by pursuing super-speciality courses in M.Ch. 

Some also seek out global opportunities and appear for exams like the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) to establish their practice abroad. 

The following table provides a brief overview of the job profiles of those who hold the degree of MS in General Surgery: 

Job Profile	Description	Average Salary (per annum)
Endocrine Surgeon	Specialisation in surgeries of endocrine glands such as the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreas.	₹10 LPA
Neurosurgeon	Treats conditions affecting the brain, spine, spinal cord, and nervous system.	₹8 LPA
Vascular Surgeon	Expert in treating diseases of the vascular system, including arteries and veins.	₹10 LPA
Urologist	Diagnosis and management of disorders related to the urinary tract and male reproductive organs.	₹12 LPA
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon	Restores function and appearance for patients.	₹12 LPA
Ophthalmologist	Diagnosing and providing treatment for eye diseases and conducting eye surgeries.	₹8 LPA

Overall, having an MS in General Surgery leads to one of the most rewarding and stable career paths that modern medicine has to offer. 

What is the Syllabus of MS General Surgery? 

The MS in General Surgery three-year programme combines both theoretical and practical training. Students gain expertise in pre- and post-operative management, trauma care, orthopaedics, vascular and abdominal surgeries, and advanced procedures like laparoscopic and hepatobiliary surgery.

The MS in General Surgery is a 3-year programme that offers clinical exposure and surgical skill development. It helps doctors prepare for independent surgical practice and opens up doors for further specialisation.

The MS in General Surgery syllabus varies slightly from one medical institution to another, but most universities in India follow a similar framework as outlined by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Minor differences may appear in the depth of certain modules, elective rotations, or assessment formats.

Year	Core Subjects	Key Practical Skills
1st Year	Pre-operative Management I & II  Orthopaedics and Traumatology  Intensive Care Respiratory System Neoplasia: Techniques and Outcomes of Surgery	History taking and general surgical examination Capillary, venous, and arterial blood sampling Pre- and post-operative patient monitoring and management Cardio-respiratory monitoring
2nd Year	Vascular Surgery Head, Neck, Endocrine & Paediatric Surgery Abdominal Surgery Plastic Surgery  Small Bowel and Colorectal Disorders Locomotor System	Tracheostomy Chest tube insertion Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Venepuncture and establishing vascular access
3rd Year	Upper GI Tract Surgery Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Neurosurgery Laparoscopic Surgery ICU, Emergency, and Ward Procedures	Interpretation of X-ray, CT, and MRI scans Observation of OT protocols and procedures Surgery for Hydrocele Haemorrhoidectomy

Note: To access the exact syllabus, students are encouraged to visit the official website of their respective universities or affiliated teaching hospitals. 

What are the Top MS General Surgery Colleges in India?

Leading institutes offering MS in General Surgery include AIIMS New Delhi, MAMC Delhi, KGMU Lucknow, JIPMER Puducherry, and BHU Varanasi among government colleges. Private institutions include Kasturba Medical College (Manipal), Dr D.Y. Patil Medical College (Pune), Sharda University (Greater Noida), and Amrita School of Medicine (Kochi).

Several top medical institutes in India offer an MS in General Surgery. The course is offered in both government and private colleges, with varying fee structures and admission procedures.

What are the Top Government Colleges for MS in General Surgery?

The list of government colleges in India that are known for their MS in General Surgery courses is given below, along with their location and the entrance exam required: 

College Name	Location	Entrance Exam Required
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)	New Delhi	INI-CET
Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC)	New Delhi	NEET-PG
King George’s Medical University (KGMU)	Lucknow	NEET-PG
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)	Puducherry	INI-CET
Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU	Varanasi	NEET-PG
Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI)	Bangalore	NEET-PG

What are the Top Private Colleges for MS in General Surgery?

The list of private colleges in India that are known for their MS in General Surgery courses is given below, along with their location and the entrance exam required:

College Name	Location	Entrance Exam Required
Kasturba Medical College (KMC)	Manipal	NEET-PG
Dr D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre	Pune	NEET-PG
Sharda University (SMSR)	Greater Noida	NEET-PG
Integral University (IIMSR)	Lucknow	NEET-PG
Amrita School of Medicine	Kochi	NEET-PG

FAQs about MS in General Surgery 

1. What is the duration of MS General Surgery in India? 

The MS in General Surgery course consists of a total of 3 years of post-graduate training. 

2. What is the average salary after MS General Surgery in India? 

In India, the starting salary ranges from ₹10 to ₹20 LPA. 

3. What are the eligibility criteria for MS in General Surgery? 

Eligibility criteria for pursuing an MS in General Surgery include: 

• Having an MBBS degree 
• Completion of a 1-year internship
• Qualification in a relevant PG entrance exam, such as NEET-PG / INI-CET. 

4. Is an MS in General Surgery better than an MD? 

It depends on one’s career goals and interests. Both courses have considerable differences, as the Master of Surgery (MS) focuses on surgical or operative procedures, while the Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a course that trains individuals for diagnosis and medical treatment that is non-surgical. 

5. Can one only apply for the MS General Surgery Course through the NEET exam? 

Clearing NEET PG enables candidates to apply for MD and MS courses at a majority of medical colleges in India. Candidates need to clear the INI-CET exam for admission to institutes like AIIMS and JIPMER.

Conclusion 

MS General Surgery is the perfect degree for medical professionals seeking excellent career growth opportunities. Candidates also get the opportunity to pursue their practice abroad. Doctors can also opt for super specialisations like Master of Chirurgiae, or M.Ch., which can further improve career prospects. 

For students preparing for PG Residency, DocTutorials supports your learning with high-quality resources, including hard-copy notes for Medicine, Paediatrics, and MS General Surgery, along with conceptual guidance to help you excel in your entrance exams and residency training.

Begin your MS General Surgery preparation confidently with DocTutorials and take the next step toward becoming a skilled surgeon!