So let us start with the obvious. BUMS full form is Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery. It is an undergraduate medical degree under the AYUSH system in India. AYUSH means Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. So BUMS is the Unani branch of alternative medicine.
When people hear medical degree, they think MBBS. But BUMS is different. It is not allopathic medicine. It is based on the Unani system which started in ancient Greece and was developed by Arab and Persian scholars. In India, it has been practiced for centuries and is still alive especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi.
After BUMS, you become a Unani doctor. You can use the title Doctor or Hakim. You can diagnose patients, prescribe Unani medicines, and perform minor surgical procedures under the Unani system. It is a real doctor degree. Just not the MBBS kind.
What Is Unani Medicine
Unani medicine works on a simple idea. The human body has four humors. Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. When these four are balanced, you are healthy. When they go out of balance, you get sick. A Unani doctor restores that balance using natural remedies, herbal medicines, diet changes, and lifestyle modifications.
It sounds old-school because it is. But many people are turning back to natural healing these days. The AYUSH ministry is pushing it hard. Unani hospitals and wellness centers are opening up. So the demand is actually growing.
BUMS Course Duration and Structure
BUMS takes 5.5 years to complete. That is 4.5 years of academics plus 1 year of compulsory rotatory internship. During the internship, you work in different departments of a Unani hospital and get hands-on clinical training.
The course is regulated by NCISM, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine. It falls under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. So it is a recognized and legitimate degree.
In the first year, you study anatomy, physiology, and the fundamental principles of Unani medicine. Arabic, logic, and philosophy also show up because Unani texts were originally written in Arabic and Persian. Later you study pharmacology, pathology, surgery, medicine, gynecology, and pediatrics. You learn both modern medical subjects and traditional Unani subjects together.
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Who Can Apply for BUMS
You need Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Most colleges want at least 50 percent marks. Some top colleges ask for 60 percent. You also need English. Your age should be at least 17 years at admission.
Here is the big one. NEET is mandatory. You cannot get into any recognized BUMS college in India without qualifying NEET. Government or private, NEET is the only gateway. So you have to prepare for NEET just like an MBBS aspirant.
About Urdu. Many people ask if you need to know Urdu. It helps a lot. Many Unani colleges teach in Urdu or use Urdu textbooks. Some prefer students who studied Urdu in school. But it is not always strict. If you do not know Urdu, you can still get in. You just have to work harder to understand the traditional texts.
BUMS Fees in India
Fees vary wildly. Government colleges charge 20 thousand to 1 lakh per year. Private colleges charge 1 lakh to 6 lakhs per year. Total course cost ranges from roughly 1 lakh to 15 lakhs depending on your college.
Top colleges include Jamia Hamdard in Delhi, Aligarh Muslim University, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, and Kerala University of Health Sciences. Many private Unani colleges exist across Uttar Pradesh and other northern states.
Career Options After BUMS
Once you finish BUMS, several doors open. You can work as a Unani Medical Officer in government hospitals and dispensaries. The AYUSH ministry regularly hires BUMS graduates. You can also open your own private clinic and practice as a Hakim. Many graduates do this and build a solid local reputation.
Teaching is another option. You can become a lecturer in Unani medical colleges but you need post graduation first. Research is growing too. Pharma companies that make herbal and Unani medicines need research scientists. You can also work as a pharmacist, drug inspector, or health consultant.
BUMS Salary in India
As a fresher in a government hospital or private clinic, expect around 2.5 to 4 lakhs per year. It is not huge but it grows. With 3 to 5 years of experience, you can reach 5 to 8 lakhs per year. If you establish a successful practice or get a senior government role, 10 lakhs plus is possible.
The salary is lower than MBBS starting pay. But the competition is way less. And if you build a good practice, your income becomes flexible.
Higher Studies After BUMS
Yes, you should study further. After BUMS, you can pursue MD in Unani Medicine. It is a 3-year postgraduate course. You specialize in areas like Moalajat, which is general medicine, Kulliyat, which covers basic principles, or surgery and gynecology. To get into MD, you must clear AIAPGET, the All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test.
Final Word
The full form of “BUMS” is “Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery”. It is a five-and-a-half (5.5) year undergraduate medical degree under the AYUSH Ministry. Applicants must have passed 12th with PCB, NEET qualification and a minimum of 50 percent marks to apply. The course emphasizes modern medical science as well as traditional unani medicine in terms of the balance of four humors.
Once you finish BUMS, you may work in government hospitals, start your own clinic, teach, conduct research or start working in the herbal medicine industry. The salary initially is very low, ranging from 2.5 to 4 lakhs per year and increases with experience. For better prospects, one can opt for an MD in Unani as well.
If you are a believer in natural healing, do not want to face the competition like MBBS to pursue a medical career and do not mind learning some Urdu and Arabic, BUMS can be a good option. Sure not as cool as MBBS, but it is a legit doctor’s degree in real patients and real impact. Simply get admission in a known college and pass the NEET examination.
