The Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) is a popular undergraduate degree program in the field of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of natural healing. To get admission into the BAMS course in 2024, candidates must meet a variety of eligibility criteria related to educational qualifications, age limits, medical fitness, and entrance exam performance. Below, we will delve into these requirements in detail to provide a comprehensive guide on the BAMS eligibility criteria for 2024 admission.
Free Admission Helpline Number: 8860031900
The most crucial eligibility requirement for BAMS admission in 2024 is the educational qualification of the applicant. Candidates need to fulfill specific criteria related to their prior academic background, specifically their performance in secondary and higher secondary education.
Minimum Qualification:
10+2 (Intermediate) or Equivalent Examination: Candidates must have passed the Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board such as CBSE, ICSE, or any state board.
Compulsory Subjects:
Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB): The subjects that the candidate must have studied in their 10+2 level are Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Physics and Chemistry are crucial for understanding the scientific principles of medicine and health science.
Biology is essential because it forms the foundation of medical knowledge required for BAMS.
Minimum Percentage Required:
General Category: For candidates belonging to the General or Unreserved category, the minimum aggregate percentage in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) in the 10+2 examination should be 50%.
Reserved Category: For candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC), the minimum required percentage in PCB subjects is relaxed to 40%.
Additional Subject (Optional):
While English is not compulsory for all boards, candidates who have studied English in their 10+2 may have an added advantage as it is often preferred by universities for BAMS admission.
State Board Eligibility:
The candidate’s 10+2 qualifications must be from a recognized board in India. State boards, central boards like CBSE or ICSE, and other equivalent boards are accepted, but the certificate must be recognized by the relevant university and government authorities.
In addition to fulfilling the academic qualifications, candidates must qualify for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which has been made mandatory for BAMS admissions across all Ayurvedic medical colleges in India.
Minimum NEET Score:
General Category: The minimum NEET percentile required for candidates in the General category is the 50th percentile.
SC/ST/OBC: For candidates from the SC/ST/OBC categories, the minimum qualifying NEET score is the 40th percentile.
PwD (Persons with Disabilities): For candidates with disabilities, the minimum percentile is the 45th percentile.
NEET Syllabus:
The syllabus of NEET primarily consists of topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology) based on the NCERT curriculum of Classes 11 and 12. Candidates should prepare accordingly to secure a high score in NEET, which increases their chances of getting into a reputed Ayurvedic college.
NEET Examination Pattern:
Total Marks: 720
Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology)
Total Number of Questions: 180 (90 for Biology, 45 each for Physics and Chemistry)
Duration: 3 hours
Candidates must secure a valid NEET score to be eligible for the BAMS admission counseling process.
Another important eligibility criterion is the age of the candidate. Age limits are set to ensure that candidates are at the appropriate stage in their educational journey to begin studying Ayurveda and medicine.
Minimum Age:
As of 31st December 2024, the candidate must have completed a minimum of 17 years of age to be eligible for BAMS admission. This ensures that the candidate is mature enough to handle the rigorous academic and practical demands of the course.
Maximum Age:
General Category: The upper age limit for General category candidates is 25 years at the time of admission.
SC/ST/OBC/PwD Candidates: A relaxation of 5 years is granted for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and PwD categories, meaning that the maximum age limit for them is 30 years.
Documents to Prove Age:
Candidates need to submit a birth certificate, Aadhaar card, or Class 10 mark sheet as proof of their age during the admission process.
Indian Citizens: Indian nationals are eligible to apply for BAMS courses across all states and union territories.
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs): These candidates are also eligible for BAMS admission, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements.
Foreign Nationals: Some universities may also allow foreign nationals to apply for BAMS, but they must follow the specific guidelines set by the university and relevant government bodies.
There are two primary types of seats for BAMS admissions:
All India Quota (AIQ): This accounts for 15% of the total seats available across Ayurvedic colleges in India.
State Quota: This accounts for 85% of the seats reserved for candidates belonging to the respective state where the Ayurvedic college is located.
Eligibility for All India Quota (AIQ):
Candidates from any state in India can apply for the AIQ seats in any Ayurvedic college in the country.
Admissions are based on the NEET score and counseling process conducted by the AYUSH Admissions Central Counseling Committee (AACCC).
Eligibility for State Quota:
Candidates are eligible to apply for State Quota seats only in their home state, provided they meet the domicile requirements.
States often have specific rules regarding the domicile certificate, which must be provided at the time of admission.
Reservations are provided to various categories to ensure equal opportunities for candidates from all sections of society. The percentage of seats reserved for different categories varies according to state policies and individual institution norms.
Reservation Categories:
Scheduled Castes (SC): 15% of seats are reserved for candidates belonging to the SC category.
Scheduled Tribes (ST): 7.5% of seats are reserved for candidates from the ST category.
Other Backward Classes (OBC): 27% of seats are reserved for candidates belonging to the OBC category (non-creamy layer).
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): Up to 10% of seats are reserved for candidates from the EWS category.
Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 5% of seats are reserved for candidates with disabilities.
Documents Required for Reservation:
Candidates applying for admission under reserved categories must provide valid supporting documents such as:
Caste Certificate (for SC/ST/OBC candidates)
Income Certificate (for EWS candidates)
Disability Certificate (for PwD candidates)
The certificate should be issued by the relevant government authority and should be valid at the time of admission.
A candidate must be medically fit to pursue the BAMS course, as it requires considerable physical and mental effort. The medical fitness certificate must be issued by a certified medical practitioner.
For candidates applying under the state quota, a domicile certificate is mandatory to prove their eligibility to apply for seats in the state of their residence.
Documents Required:
Domicile Certificate: Issued by the relevant state authorities, proving that the candidate has resided in the state for a specified period.
Residence Proof: Aadhaar card, voter ID, or other acceptable documents may be required to prove residence in a particular state.
The eligibility criteria for BAMS admission in 2024 are comprehensive and designed to ensure that candidates possess the necessary academic background, physical and mental fitness, and entrance exam scores to succeed in this field. By fulfilling these eligibility conditions, aspiring students can move forward in their journey to study Ayurveda and become future Ayurvedic practitioners. Ensuring timely completion of NEET, gathering all required documents, and meeting the necessary educational qualifications will make the BAMS admission process smooth and successful.