Full FormsMBBS full form: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
How to say it: letter by letter.
MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. It is the basic professional degree that a person must earn to become a doctor of modern medicine in India and in many other countries that follow the British tradition.
Why the letters do not match the English words
The abbreviation comes from Latin: Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae. MB is the bachelor of medicine and BS the bachelor of surgery (some universities write ChB, from chirurgiae). Although the name lists two degrees, it is awarded as one.
The course
In India the course runs for five and a half years: four and a half years of study followed by a compulsory rotating internship of one year in a hospital. Admission is through the national entrance examination, NEET (UG). The course and the colleges are regulated by the National Medical Commission.
After MBBS
A graduate registers with the medical council and may practise as a doctor. Many go on to postgraduate study:
- MD: Doctor of Medicine, in subjects such as general medicine or paediatrics.
- MS: Master of Surgery, in surgical subjects.
- DNB: Diplomate of National Board.
- DM and MCh: super-speciality degrees taken after MD or MS.
Other first degrees in health
- BDS: Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
- BAMS: Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery.
- BHMS: Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery.
- BUMS: Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery.
- BSc Nursing and BPharm, for nursing and pharmacy.
How to write it
Write MBBS in capitals without full stops, after the doctor's name: Dr Asha Verma, MBBS.
More degrees and courses full forms
- BA Bachelor of Arts
- BSc Bachelor of Science
- BCom Bachelor of Commerce
- BTech Bachelor of Technology
- BE Bachelor of Engineering
- BBA Bachelor of Business Administration
- BCA Bachelor of Computer Applications
- BEd Bachelor of Education
All degrees and courses Next: PhD explained
Check what matters. These pages explain names and terms in general. Rules, dates, fees and limits change: take them from the official body. Read on 12 November 2026.