Surgeon
Doctor who treats conditions by operating — as a general surgeon or in a surgical speciality.
Overview
A Surgeon is a doctor who specializes in treating conditions by performing surgery or operation on patients. Surgeries can be done to diagnose or treat a disease or an injury. A Surgeon can be a general surgeon, performing surgeries on different parts of the body or a specialized Surgeon such as cardiac surgeon, neurosurgeon etc.
Where they work
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Government primary healthcare centres
Work environment
It is not a desk job. As a Surgeon, you will need to handle a team of nurses and other medical staff. Local travelling is not a part of this job role and part-time work and contractual jobs are available. Hospitals usually work for 6 to 7 days a week and 8 to 9 hours everyday. This may vary from hospital to hospital.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You can undertake long hours of hard work
- You pay attention to minute details
- You like to solve problems
- You have excellent motor skills and eye-hand coordination
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
- 2Pursue a Bachelor's degree (MBBS)
- 3Opt for a 1 year internship before graduation, register with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or the State Medical Council.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree (MS) in Surgery.
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete Bachelor's (MBBS) and Masters (MS) followed by an MCh degree for a sub-specialization such as plastic surgery, cardiothoracic, and urology.
- 2For admissions in the MBBS course, a candidate has to appear for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET-UG). Entrance exams are also conducted by states and independent bodies. For MD/MS, a candidate has to appear for NEET-PG (Post Graduate Medical Entrance after MBBS).
Forms, exams and applications
NEET-UG for MBBS (state and independent entrance exams also exist); NEET-PG for MD/MS. Check the official notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Surgery. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
- S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
- College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- GS Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
- St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka
- Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi
- Integral Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- SGT Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana
- KPC Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Intern
- 2Junior Surgeon
- 3Surgeon
- 4Senior Surgeon
- 5Head of the Department
- 6Medical Director/Superintendent
Expected income
₹36,000 – ₹1,60,000 per month
These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
General Physician
Qualified doctor who examines patients, diagnoses illness, prescribes medicine and refers to specialists.
Orthopaedist
Treats disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system — bones, muscles, joints and soft tissue.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to helping people.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Dr Devi Prasad Shetty — A renowned cardiac surgeon with over 34 years of experience. He is the founder of the Bangalore based hospital chain called Narayana Health.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 435 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3WbCgcd
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru is printed in both the government and private lists on this card; it appears once here, under private. The card also places SGT Medical College, Gurugram in Uttar Pradesh — Gurugram is in Haryana, and the state is corrected here.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.