MD or Doctor of Medicine is a postgraduate degree in General Medicine, while MS or Doctor of Surgery is a postgraduate degree in General Surgery. In both cases, the prerequisite for admission is an MBBS degree. For MS, surgical expertise and skills are required and for MD, non-surgical programs, although in some cases surgery can be a part of MD. Both MS and MD after MBBS possess a lot of scopes. MD and MS, both are 3 years course.

Eligibility criteria:

Eligibility for MD or MS program is an MBBS degree from a recognized medical college. The minimum marks to qualify for the programs are 50 % in India. However, admission to both the postgraduate courses is purely based on the merit-list and entrance exam. The admission criteria, however, vary from institution to institution. The entrance test to pursue MD or MS programs is NEET PG.

The courses MS is entitled to make a surgeon with specialization and provide the scientific skills as well as knowledge. An MD, on the other hand, offers a degree to become a general medicine doctor with knowledge in diagnosing and treating common diseases. However, choosing the program in between MD and MS is a matter of personal choice and interest of the candidate as well as the availability of seats in the respective institutions.

The areas where the postgraduate in general medicine or surgery can work are Laboratories, health centres, hospitals, clinics, medical foundations and can do private practices also.

MDS or Master of Dental Surgery is a postgraduate degree in Dental Science. The specializations available in MDS are Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Periodontology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, etc.

Eligibility criteria:

To take admission to the MDS program, candidates must have obtained a BDS degree from a dental institution or college that is recognized by the Dental Council of India. Completion of internship for BDS is mandatory to get qualified to take admission to the MDS program. The minimum cut-off marks for admission to the MDS course is 55% in aggregate for some colleges.

The entrance tests for admission to MDS course are:

• NIMS Entrance Exam
• NEET MDS
• AIIMS PG Entrance Exam

Dental Science is based on problems and diseases related to Jaw, Tooth and other Facial tissues to help in maintaining good oral health. There is enough scope in professional careers after pursuing the MDS program as oral health is necessary for everyone.