A career in Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) after 12th

Career scope in Ayurveda medicine

Ayurveda consists of two words: Ayur means life, and Veda refers to knowledge. Ayurveda is an ancient system of Alternative Medicine, which has greater importance in the present times due to its efficacy and potential to cure many chronic diseases and disorders. As per Ayurvedic medicine, diseases are caused by an imbalance among the body’s three senses of humour: Vata (nerve energy), Pitta (catabolic life energy), and Kapha (anabolic nutritive power).

Ayurvedic medicine is gaining popularity worldwide because of its curing ability and treatment with no side effects. It is also known to promote positive health, longevity, and beauty. There are suitable job options for Ayurveda practitioners in research, academic, clinical practice, drug manufacturing, etc. Panchakarma in Ayurveda is a well-known therapy across the world. The Panchakarma therapy of Kerala is booming and provides good revenue to the practitioners and the government exchequer due to medical tourism. In government hospitals, it has been mandatory to recruit Ayurveda doctors in some states of India. Such provisions increase the career scope in the Ayurveda field.

After completing the BAMS course, one can pursue a career in government hospitals, dispensaries, Ayurveda hospitals, teaching jobs, etc. The governments have established research centres, institutes, and councils to promote Ayurveda medicine. The private sector is also hiring these professionals with lucrative job offers.

Ayurveda medicine is suitablesenior for managing hypertension, depression, geriatric care, obesity, arthritis, insomnia, menopausal problems, etc.  Ayurveda revolves around the proverb “prevention is better than cure”.

Ayurveda course details and eligibility

Many public and private colleges and institutes in India offer the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS). The duration of BAMS is 5½ years to 6½ years, including internship. The eligibility of the course is that one should pass 12^th standard with subject groups like physics, chemistry, biology, and Sanskrit from a recognised subject college or university. Subject like Sanskrit has been included because the maximum resources are Sanskrit. Selection is through All India and State level Entrance Exams conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE), Delhi, except Jammu & Kashmir. In private colleges, the selection procedure is internal. The minimum age for joining the course is 17 years.

After completing BAMS, one can also pursue a Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda (M.D.(Ayu)) and a Master of Surgery in Ayurveda (M.S. (Ayu)).

Job-oriented career in Ayurveda (BAMS)

Ayurveda is an ancient alternative medicine system with in-depth potential to cure and treat diseases. Ayurvedic medicine prepared by pharmaceutical companies is gaining popularity not only in India but also all over the world. Indian Ayurveda system is world-famous, and thousands & thousands of patients and tourists visit the Ayurveda centres to benefit from the system. Panchakarma is giving leverage to the system. Doctors are recruited in civil hospitals in some states. All these increase the demand for Ayurveda doctors. In a nutshell, we can say that Ayurveda doctors have a bright future.

Career options for BAMS

BAMS doctors can build a successful career in the following broad categories.

1. Clinical Practices
2. General practice
3. Academic
4. Research
5. Management & Administration
6. Hospital and Healthcare Administration
7. Health Supervisor
8. Drug Manufacturing
9. Ayurveda Consultation
10. Master of Public Health

Career in Panchakarma

A career in Panchakarma is lucrative and rewarding. BAMS doctors can join Panchakarma health centres as a supervisor. Due to rapidly increasing medical tourism in India, Panchakarma therapy is in the boosting phase and cashing medical tourism. Panchakarma in Kerala is getting International attention, thus creating a good niche for Ayurveda practitioners. Good communication skills, counselling, and care nature increase the relevance and significance of this system.

Job options in Ayurveda

The job prospects for Ayurveda doctors are as follows:

• Ayurveda Medical Officer
• Director (Ayurveda)
• Professor/ Associate Professor/ Assistant Professor
• Scientist
• Deputy Director (Ayurveda)
• Assistant Director (Ayurveda)
• Research Officer
• Assistant Research Officer
• Supervisor in Panchakarma centres
• Ayurveda Physician
• Ayurveda Consultant
• Publication Officer (Ayurveda)
• Pharmacist
• Therapist

Job Opportunity in Ayurveda

There is an array of job options before the BAMS doctors. The employment opportunity is also enhanced as one pursues higher education and gains expertise in the curative aspects. Several Public Commission Services are recruiting Ayurveda Medical Officers.  Union, as well as State government research centres, have lucrative employment opportunities for the BAMS. Due to Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation, the private sector have also opened the door for deserving candidates. Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) and Ayurveda PG holders have job options as Ayurveda Medical Officer, Director,  Deputy Director, Assistant Director, Pharmacist, Research Officer, Assistant Research Officer, Consultant, Physicians, etc. in both the public sector and private one. Teaching is one of the rewarding options for deserving candidates.

BAMS doctors recruitment

The Ayurveda doctors are recruited by the government as well as the private sector. The leading employers are the following:

1. Union  Public Service Commission
2. Rajasthan Public Service Commission
3. Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission
4. Calcutta Public Service Commission
5. Bihar Public Service Commission
6. Maharashtra Public Service Commission, etc.

They may also find a job in

• Centre Research Centres, i.e. CCRAS
• State Research Centre
• Government Hospitals
• Dispensaries
• Ayurveda hospitals
• Ayurveda Pharmacies
• Teaching faculty in Ayurveda colleges/institutes
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Ayurveda Physician
• Ayurveda Consultant
• Ayurveda health centres
• Supervisors in Pancha Karma centres
• Spas
• Resorts
• BPOs
• KPOs

Salary for BAMS doctors

The remuneration of Ayurvedic medicine doctors depends upon professional qualifications, experience, and proficiency. The salary in the field is also different according to your expertise and professional reputation. At the entry-level, one may get Rs. 25,000—Rs—30,000 per month as a consultant in the government sector. The government also recruited Ayurveda Medical Officers under the pay scale of Rs. 15 600-39 100 with grade pay of Rs 5400. However, in the private sector, one can get a suitable pay hike as per his knowledge, experience and expertise. For competent practitioners, earning a handsome salary is not a big issue.

10 Best Ayurveda Colleges of India

There are about 154 recognised undergraduate and 33 postgraduate Ayurvedic colleges in India offering quality education. The list of the top Ayurveda colleges in India are as follows:

1. Sri Dhanwantri Ayurvedic College, Chandigarh
2. Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences
3. Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat
4. J B Roy State Medical College, Kolkata
5. Ayurvedic Medical College, Kolhapur
6. State Ayurvedic College of Lucknow
7. Shri Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur
8. Rishikul State College, Haridwar
9. Dayanand Ayurveda College, Jalandhar
10. Ashtang Ayurveda College, Indore