Choosing a surgeon course after 12th is an incredible goal. At Vishwa Medical Admission Point, we’ve spent over 25 years helping students like you figure out the best surgery courses after 12th to start their medical careers.
This post is all about giving you clear, practical advice on how to become a surgeon, whether you study in India or abroad. We’ll cover what courses to take, duration of the course, and how to pick the right college—everything that helps to achieve your goals.
Why Choose Surgery as a Career Path?
Becoming a surgeon is about making a real difference. You get to save lives, help people recover, and work on challenging cases every day. After completing surgical studies, students can explore vast career opportunities. According to WHO estimating a 15% rise in demand for surgeons in India by 2030, your future in this field is secure and promising.
Let’s take an example of Arjun from Delhi. He finished 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and wanted to be a neurosurgeon. He came to us confused about his options. We helped him get into an MBBS program in India by preparing for the NEET-UG exam. Now, he’s in his third year, working toward his dream. We can help you, too.
Surgeon Courses After 12th Course Details
Step 1: Complete an MBBS degree (5 years study + 1-year internship = 6 years total).
Step 2: Pursue an MS (Master of Surgery), a 3-year postgraduate course
This pathway prepares you for specializations such as general surgery, orthopedics, and more—making it the standard route for surgeon courses after 12th.
For instance, we worked with Sneha from Ahmedabad, who dreamed of being an orthopedic surgeon. She couldn’t afford private colleges in India, so we suggested an MBBS program in Georgia. It cost her family INR 20 lakh, way less than the INR 50 lakh for Indian private colleges. She’s now planning to return to India, pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam, and start her MS.
Eligibility Criteria for Surgeon Courses
Before you can enroll in surgeon courses after 12th, there are a few academic and entrance requirements to meet. Check them out below:
- School Marks: Pass 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English, scoring at least 50% (40% for reserved categories). Top colleges like AIIMS might ask for 60% or more.
- Age: You should be at least 17 by December 31 of the year you apply. There’s no upper age limit for NEET-UG, as per the National Medical Commission.
- Entrance Exam: In India, you need to pass the NEET-UG exam to get into MBBS. In 2025, over 22 lakh students took NEET-UG for just 1.2 lakh MBBS seats (National Testing Agency, 2025).
- English Skills: If you study abroad, some countries like the UK may ask for IELTS or TOEFL scores to prove you speak English well.
We recently helped Priya from Mumbai. She scored 580 in NEET-UG but didn’t get a government seat. We found her a spot in an NMC-approved MBBS program in Russia, handling all her paperwork so she could focus on her studies.
Surgeon Course Duration
The surgeon course duration depends on your path. Here’s the typical timeline:
- MBBS: 6 years (5 years of study + 1-year internship).
- Master of Surgery (MS): 3 years to specialize in a surgical field.
- Super-Specialization: Another 3 years for fields like heart surgery or neurosurgery.
So, in India, becoming a surgeon takes about 11–12 years after 12th. Abroad, it varies. In the USA, for example, you need a 4-year bachelor’s degree, a 4-year MD, and a 3–7-year residency—11–15 years total. We advised Anil from Chennai to do his MBBS in Georgia (6 years) and then an MS in India, saving time and money compared to the USA.
Roadmap to Become a Surgeon in India
Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a surgeon in India:
- Finish 12th with PCB: Make sure you score at least 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Pass NEET-UG: Your gateway to pursuing MBBS in India. In 2025, the cutoff was around 600 for government colleges and 300–350 for private ones.
- Join MBBS: Choose an NMC-approved college in India or abroad.
- Do Your Internship: Spend 1 year getting real-world experience during your MBBS.
- Get an MS: Clear NEET-PG to start a 3-year Master of Surgery program.
- Consider Super-Specialization: For fields like plastic surgery, you can pursue an MCh degree.
We helped Riya from Bangalore become a general surgeon. After passing NEET-UG, we got her into an NMC-approved college in Kyrgyzstan for INR 20 lakh—half the cost of Indian private colleges.
How to Choose MBBS Colleges for Indian Students
Picking the right college for your surgeon degree is a big decision. Here’s what to look for:
- Accreditation: Make sure the college is approved by the NMC and listed by the WHO. For example, we helped Sameer from Hyderabad choose the University of Manchester, which is NMC-approved and great for surgical training.
- Hands-On Training: Choose colleges with hospitals where you can practice. AIIMS and Christian Medical College in India are top choices for this.
- Cost: MBBS in Indian private colleges costs INR 50 lakh–1.5 crore. Abroad, countries like Russia or Georgia charge INR 15–25 lakh for the whole course. Scholarships, like the UK’s Chevening, can help.
- Location: Studying in Georgia is cheaper than London, where you might spend INR 15 lakh a year on living expenses.
At Vishwa, we create custom college lists based on your budget and goals. For example, we helped Meera from Jaipur get into a Kyrgyzstan college, saving her INR 25 lakh compared to India.
Studying Surgeon Courses Abroad
If NEET-UG doesn’t work out, studying abroad is a solid option for surgeon courses after 12th. Countries like Russia, Georgia, and the UK offer NMC-approved programs at lower costs. Here’s a quick look:
- Russia: MBBS costs INR 15–25 lakh for 6 years, taught in English.
- Georgia: Affordable at INR 20 lakh total, with universities like Akaki Tsereteli State University.
- USA: Requires a 4-year degree, MCAT, and a 4-year MD, costing INR 1–3 crore.
We helped Soham from Kolkata, who missed the NEET cutoff, enroll in a Russian university in just two weeks, saving his family INR 30 lakh.
Future Scope of Surgeons
By 2030, surgeons in India could earn INR 12–30 lakh a year, depending on their experience and specialty (Payscale, 2025). Abroad, US surgeons make around INR 1.7 crore annually. Fields like neurosurgery are growing fast, with an 11% job increase expected by 2030 due to healthcare needs.
Why Choose Vishwa Medical Admission Point?
At Vishwa, we’ve spent 25 years helping over 10,000 students chase their medical dreams. We know every detail about surgeon courses after 12th and we can guide you to the right college without spending too much money. Here is what we offer:
- Personal Plans: We look at your marks and budget to find the best colleges.
- Full Support: From applications to visas, we take care of the details.
- Honest Advice: No hidden costs, just straightforward guidance.
For example, we helped Neha from Chennai get a scholarship at the University of Glasgow, saving her INR 4 lakh a year. We stay on top of trends, like the 30% rise in surgical jobs by 2030, to prepare you for a great career.
Let’s Get Started on Your Surgeon Journey
Choosing surgeon courses after 12th is your first step to becoming a surgeon. Whether you study in India or abroad, Vishwa Medical Admission Point is always ready to help. With our experience, we’ll guide you through every step, from picking a college to meeting eligibility requirements.
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