Full Form of BAMS
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
BAMS Full Form is Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. It is pronounced separately as B.A.M.S. It is an undergraduate course, which lasts for 4 ½ years followed by 1 year of internship. Unlike other medicine degrees, BAMS is specifically designed for traditional medicine of Ayurveda. It is as challenging as the modern medicine course or even more.
If a student has to seek admission for BAMS, he or she must have a science background with main subjects like botany, zoology, physics, and chemistry included. With a good scoring in HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate/12th class), the student must also clear entrance tests like Combined Premedical Test. A candidate who has graduated the BAMS is given the designation of ‘Ayurvedacharya’.
In India, BAMS graduates are allowed to practice allopathic and use modern medicine according to Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940,Rules 1945 Sec 2ee(iii). BAMS degree holders can work as Health Supervisors, Ayurved Constantans and Healthcare Administrators in Corporate Hospitals. BAMS graduates can also opt for higher studies like Post graduation in Ayurveda (MD or MS in Ayurveda) or MBA in Healthcare Management.
BAMS Full Form – Additional Information
India is known for natural homegrown methods of medical treatment since time immemorial. While modern science is developing strongly with time and emergence of scientific discoveries, traditional medical science is trying hard to ensure that it is not forgotten. One such remedy is Ayurveda, which is one of the most effective, natural remedies that medical world has seen till date.
Today there are many courses available in different fields of medical science and a fairly good amount of courses are also available for those who are interested in Ayurvedic medicine. The name of the course is Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, which will hereinafter be referred to as BAMS throughout the article. The course is basically an integrated undergraduate course that imparts knowledge on Ayurvedic medicine and various aspects relating to it.
Along with a focus on traditional Ayurveda, the focus is substantially given to modern-day medicine system as well. Thus, the course attempts to take a holistic approach and endeavors to impart maximum knowledge to the student. A degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery is prestigious because Ayurveda itself enjoys a very positive reputation among the masses. After all, Ayurveda is one of the oldest medicine systems that is still accepted and widely practiced.
Ayurveda and its remedies are subject to extensive scientific studies across the globe, primarily because of its capability to not only cure the disease but also provide for a prevention mechanism to prevent reoccurrence of illnesses. The whole Ayurveda revolves around three categories of disorders in humans that are named Kapha, Vata, and Pitta. The aforementioned discussion throws a faint light on the big world of Ayurveda and particularly BAMS and therefore, it is essential that we dwell deeper into various other facets involved in them. Here are five things you must know about BAMS:
Ayurveda
Ayurveda literally means Life knowledge. This system of medicinal science derives its origin from the Indian subcontinent and has eventually become a globalized system of treatment. It is basically an alternative medicinal system. While in the Indian subcontinent Ayurveda is generally regarded as a system of medical treatment, in western countries ayurvedic therapies have become blended in routine wellness applications as well as medical use.
Ayurvedic therapies and treatments have developed through centuries. They are generally based on herbal compounds and often influenced by Indian alchemy. Ancient Ayurvedic books talk about surgical treatments as well, which include techniques such as perineal lithotomy, extraction of alien substances from the body, rhinoplasty, and suturing of injuries. The exact nature of Ayurveda is still debatable.
Many researchers believe that Ayurvedic medical science is pseudoscience though a considerable group of researchers regards it as trans-science or proto-science system. Some of the oldest accounts of Ayurvedic medicinal treatments and surgical techniques can be found in Charaka Saṃhitā and Suśrutha Saṃhitā, both of them are written in Sanskrit. The true origins of Ayurveda are still disputed but there is a consensus that this ancient system of medicine treatment has emerged from the Indian subcontinent.
BAMS Course Details
Now that we have fairly discussed Ayurveda, we shall now pick up BAMS, which essentially kick starts one career in Ayurvedic medicines. It is an undergraduate degree that is usually awarded to the enrolled student after a span of five years and six months. In this duration, the first four and a half years comprise academic session, which is followed by a year-long internship that is done in live surroundings so that practical knowledge on the application of Ayurvedic treatment can be gained.
The whole course structure is divided into 3 sections, with 1.5 years devoted to each. The first professional course comprises lectures on physiology, history, and physiology of Ayurvedic medicinal system. In the second professional course, the subjects pharmacology and toxicology are taught. In the final professional course, surgery, obstetrics, skin, and gynecology, etc are taught. When the student successfully graduates with a BAMS degree, he/ she is referred to as Vaidyar and the graduates are entitled to use the prefix Vr.
Eligibility Criteria for BAMS Course
To enroll in a BAMS program, the interested candidate must have qualified the 10+2 examination. The student must have had chemistry, physics, and biology in class 12th. After having finished off this level, the student must have written various states or national levels examinations such as All India Pre-Medical Test (abbreviated as AIPMT), All India Institute of Medical Science (abbreviated as AIIMS), and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (abbreviated as PGIMER). The selection of the candidate depends on the scores obtained in the entrance examination, the cut-off set, and the marks obtained in the 12th examination. It is, therefore, important to keep in mind the score of class 12th.
Specialization in BAMS
After having done with BAMS, the student may enroll in courses for specialization in many fields of Ayurvedic medicine. The following are some of the fields where specializations can be achieved.
- Sharir Rachana
- Rasa Shastra
- Rog & Vikriti Vigyan
- Kayachikitsa
- Swasth Vritta
- Charak Samhita
- Kaumara Bhritya
- Shallya Tantra
- Shalakya Tantra
Career opportunities after obtaining BAMS
Ayurvedic medicine system is one of the most flourishing systems in the country and abroad and therefore, has many prospects. A graduate in BAMS can become a lecturer, Pharmacist, Medical Representative, or Area Sales Manager, Scientist, Sales representatives, therapist, etc. As mentioned before the field of Ayurveda is widely known in India and abroad and thus, the career opportunities available are lucrative. A fresh graduate with two to three years experience would usually manage a monthly salary within the range 30k to 50k.
The salary will increase with more experience. It is advisable that the candidate engages in advanced studies in Ayurvedic medicine system. There is a huge demand of Ayurvedic practitioners, with many recruiters in line eager to recruit BAMS graduate such as in Life science industries, Insurance, Nursing home, Ayurvedic resort, spa resort, healthcare IT, pharmaceutical industries , education, healthcare community, Panchkarma ashram, etc.