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Student Journey Blueprint

How to become an Orthopaedic Surgeon — your road, class by class

Class 8 to working life·15 student doubts answered ·Last checked 25 Oct 2026

The one-line route: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology → NEET (UG) → MBBS with a 12-month internship → NEET-PG → a 3-year M.S. (Orthopaedics). M.Ch. courses such as Hand Surgery or Paediatric Orthopaedics take M.S. (Orthopaedics) as the feeder. [1] [2] [3]

Pick your class and the road below starts where you stand.

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00 The job

What the work really is

An orthopaedic surgeon is a doctor who treats bones, joints, muscles and injuries, medically and by operation. M.S. (Orthopaedics) is a recognised broad-speciality degree under the National Medical Commission's PG regulations. [3]

A normal working day

  • Treat fractures, sports injuries and joint disease in clinics and emergency.
  • Operate — fixing fractures, replacing joints, repairing ligaments.
  • Follow patients through plaster, physiotherapy and recovery.

Pay

Pay
LevelPay (official)
Specialist Grade III (Orthopaedics), Central Health Service — UPSC 2026Level 11 of the Pay Matrix plus NPA [4]

Private salaries are not officially published.

Main routes

MBBS → NEET-PG → M.S. (Orthopaedics)

NEET-PG is the single entrance for M.D. / M.S. / PG Diploma seats: All India 50% quota, state quota, private and deemed universities and Armed Forces medical institutions. [2]

Institutes outside NEET-PG

AIIMS New Delhi and the other AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS and SCTIMST are not filled through NEET-PG. [2]

Central Health Service

UPSC Advt 07/2026: 4 Specialist Grade III (Orthopaedics) posts and 2 Assistant Professor (Orthopaedics) posts at the Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital — MBBS plus M.S. / DNB / diploma in Orthopaedics and 3 years' experience after the PG degree (5 after a diploma). [4]

Super-speciality

M.S. / DNB (Orthopaedics) is the feeder for M.Ch. (Hand Surgery) and M.Ch. (Paediatric Orthopaedics). [3]

Time and cost

Time after Class 12
MBBS with internship, then 3 years of M.S.; an M.Ch. adds 3 years [3]
NEET-PG 2026 fee
₹3,500 General / OBC / EWS · ₹2,500 SC / ST / PwBD [2]

College fees for MBBS and M.S. differ by college and state, so none are printed.

Hidden challenges

  • Central specialist posts ask for experience too: 3 years after the PG degree for Specialist Grade III. [4]
  • Every M.S. student does a compulsory 3-month District Residency in a district hospital. [3]
  • NEET-PG has negative marking: +4 for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong one. [2]

Who should not choose it

  • You dislike long hours in operation theatres and emergency.
  • You cannot commit to MBBS plus 3 more years of surgical residency.
  • You want a job straight after Class 12.
01 Your road, stage by stage

What to do at each stage — and the doubts on the way

  1. You are here Class 8 · Class 9

    Science and stamina

    • NEET (UG) tests Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany & Zoology) — 180 compulsory questions in 180 minutes. [1]

    Doubt What does an orthopaedic surgeon treat?

    Bones, joints, muscles and injuries. It is a surgical speciality: after MBBS a doctor takes M.S. (Orthopaedics), a degree recognised under NMC's PG regulations. [3]

    Next: Plan the medical route: Biology in Class 11–12, then NEET (UG).

  2. You are here Class 10

    Choose PCB in Class 11

    • NEET (UG) needs Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Class 12. [1]

    Stream / subjects: Science with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB).

    Doubt Which stream do I need to become an orthopaedic surgeon?

    Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. MBBS admission is through NEET (UG), which tests those subjects. [1]

    Next: Pick PCB after Class 10.

  3. You are here Class 11 · Class 12

    Prepare for NEET (UG)

    • NEET (UG) 2026: 180 questions, 720 marks, +4 for correct, −1 for wrong. [1]

    Money help at this stage

    Lower NEET (UG) fee

    Doubt Is there an upper age limit for NEET (UG)?

    No. You must be 17 by 31 December of the admission year, and the NEET (UG) 2026 bulletin says there is no upper age limit. [1]

    Next: Check the lower age rule against your date of birth.

    Doubt How many questions are in NEET (UG)?

    180 compulsory questions in 180 minutes, for 720 marks, with +4 for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong one. [1]

    Next: Take timed full-length mocks.

  4. You are here In college

    MBBS and internship

    • NEET-PG 2026 counted internship finished on or before 30 September 2026 for eligibility. [2]

    Money help at this stage

    MBBS internship stipend

    Doubt Can I choose orthopaedics during MBBS?

    No. You choose the speciality after MBBS, when you take an M.S. (Orthopaedics) seat through NEET-PG counselling. [2] [3]

    Next: Focus on finishing MBBS and the internship.

    Doubt Do I need to finish internship before NEET-PG?

    Yes, by the cut-off date in that year's bulletin. For NEET-PG 2026 it was 30 September 2026. [2]

    Next: Plan your internship dates around the NEET-PG cut-off.

  5. You are here Graduated

    NEET-PG and M.S. (Orthopaedics)

    • NEET-PG 2026: 180 MCQs in 3 hours 30 minutes, English only, +4 / −1; exam on 30 August 2026, result by 30 September 2026. [2]
    • M.S. courses run 3 years and include a compulsory 3-month District Residency. [3]

    Exams that open here

    • NEET-PG 2026 — 30 Aug 2026 · result by 30 Sep 2026 [2]

    Money help at this stage

    Lower NEET-PG feePG resident stipend

    Doubt What is the NEET-PG qualifying percentile?

    50th percentile for General and EWS, 45th for UR PwBD, and 40th for SC, ST and OBC candidates. [2]

    Next: A good rank, not just qualifying, decides an orthopaedics seat.

    Doubt Can I write NEET-PG in Hindi?

    No. The NEET-PG 2026 questions were in English only — 180 multiple-choice questions with four options each. [2]

    Next: Practise medical MCQs in English.

    Doubt Can a state college hold its own entrance for M.S. Orthopaedics?

    No. The NEET-PG 2026 bulletin says no state government, private college or university may hold a separate entrance for its M.D. / M.S. / PG Diploma seats for 2026-27. [2]

    Next: Prepare only for NEET-PG (or INI-CET for the AIIMS group).

    Doubt How long is M.S. Orthopaedics?

    Three years under NMC's PGMER 2023, including a 3-month District Residency Programme in the 3rd, 4th or 5th semester. [3]

    Next: Plan for three years of residency.

    Doubt Is a diploma in orthopaedics still available?

    Orthopaedics (D.Ortho.) is still on NMC's list of PG diplomas, but colleges may convert diploma seats to degree seats and no new diploma programmes are being permitted. [3]

    Next: Aim for M.S. seats in counselling.

    Doubt Are PG residents paid?

    Yes. PGMER 2023 says PG students are paid a stipend at par with PG students of government medical colleges in that state. [3]

    Next: Ask your college for the current rate.

  6. You are here Working / switching career

    Government posts and super-speciality

    • UPSC's Specialist Grade III (Orthopaedics) posts in 2026 paid Level 11 plus NPA, with an upper age of 40 (UR), 43 (OBC) and 45 (ST). [4]

    Doubt How do I get a central government orthopaedic surgeon job?

    Through UPSC selections for the Central Health Service. Advt 07/2026 had 4 Specialist Grade III (Orthopaedics) posts needing MBBS, M.S. / DNB / diploma in Orthopaedics and 3 years' experience after the PG degree. [4]

    Next: Watch UPSC recruitment advertisements after you gain experience.

    Doubt Is there a government post in sports injury?

    Yes. UPSC Advt 07/2026 had 2 Assistant Professor (Orthopaedics) posts at the Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, needing M.S. or DNB (Orthopaedics). [4]

    Next: Build experience in sports injury or sports medicine.

    Doubt What can I study after M.S. Orthopaedics?

    M.Ch. courses that take M.S. / DNB (Orthopaedics) as feeder, such as M.Ch. (Hand Surgery) and M.Ch. (Paediatric Orthopaedics). [3]

    Next: Sit the super-speciality entrance after M.S.

Your school board

Any board. NEET (UG) needs Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Class 12. [1]

CBSE, CISCE and state-board certificates count the same for every national exam on this page. Notes for particular state boards are under State rules below.

02 Exam anatomy

The exam, stage by stage

NEET (UG) → MBBS → NEET-PG → M.S. (Orthopaedics) · NTA (NEET-UG), NBEMS (NEET-PG), National Medical Commission

NEET-PG
180 MCQs · 3 h 30 min · +4 / −1 [2]
Qualifying
50th percentile (40th SC / ST / OBC) [2]
M.S. length
3 years incl. 3-month District Residency [3]
UPSC specialist
Level 11 + NPA · 3 years after PG [4]
NEET (UG) → MBBS → NEET-PG → M.S. (Orthopaedics) stages
StageWhat it isRule
NEET (UG)Entrance for MBBSPCB in Class 12; age 17 by 31 Dec
MBBS + internshipBasic medical degreeInternship done by NEET-PG cut-off
NEET-PGEntrance for M.D. / M.S.50th percentile (40th reserved)
M.S. (Orthopaedics)3-year residencyThen M.Ch. or specialist posts

Stage table source [1] [2] [3]

Open the full exam guide
03 State rules

Rules for all of India — and your state

  • National route: NEET-PG fills the All India 50% quota and state quota seats, while each state runs its own counselling for state quota seats. [2]

National route applies. This career follows the same rules in every state and UT.

04 Career multiverse

Where this path can take you next

Doctor (MBBS)

The first half of this road.

Explore →

Physiotherapist

Rehabilitation without MBBS.

Explore →

INI-CET

AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER seats.

Explore →

Gynaecologist

Another NEET-PG surgical speciality.

Explore →
05 Money help

Scholarships, stipends and fee help

Government schemes, professional-body scholarships and paid training on this path. Pick your class above and schemes you have already passed are hidden.

Scholarship Open to you now From Class 8

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)

Ministry of Education, through your state

₹1,000 a month, Class 9 to 12 [5]

Who
Class 8 students of government schools who passed Class 7 with 55% (50% SC/ST, as in Nagaland's notice) and clear the state's NMMSS test. Family income limit: see the scheme rules on the National Scholarship Portal.
How
Your state's SCERT announces the test in Class 8; renewals are on scholarships.gov.in.
Scholarship Open to you now From Class 11

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (PM-USP CSSS)

Ministry of Education

₹12,000 a year for the first 3 years of a degree; ₹20,000 a year in years 4–5 of a 5-year integrated course (and in PG) [6]

Who
Above the 80th percentile of your board's Class 12 pass-outs in your stream, in a regular degree course (not diploma or distance), family income up to ₹4.5 lakh, and not taking any other scholarship — including state schemes.
How
On the National Scholarship Portal after Class 12; renewal needs 50% marks and 75% attendance each year.
Fee help Open to you now From Class 11

Lower NEET (UG) fee

National Testing Agency

₹1,000 instead of ₹1,700 (₹1,600 for EWS / OBC-NCL) [1]

Who
SC, ST, PwBD / PwD and third-gender candidates, for an exam centre in India.
How
Choose your category in the NEET (UG) form on neet.nta.nic.in.
Stipend Open to you now From In college

MBBS internship stipend

Your medical college / state, under NMC's internship regulations

Who
Every MBBS intern, for the 12-month internship. It is not paid during extensions, except approved medical, maternity or paternity leave. The rate is fixed by the authority that runs your college, so it differs between states and colleges. [7]
How
Nothing to apply for — ask your college for the current rate.
Fee help Open to you now From Graduated

Lower NEET-PG fee

NBEMS

₹2,500 instead of ₹3,500 [2]

Who
SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
How
Choose your category in the NEET-PG form on the NBEMS portal; the fee is not refunded or carried forward.
Stipend Open to you now From Graduated

PG resident stipend

Your medical college, under NMC's PGMER 2023

Who
Every MD / MS / DNB-equivalent PG student in any institution — at par with the stipend of PG students in state or central government medical colleges of that state, including during the District Residency. [3]
How
Nothing to apply for — ask your college for the current rate.
06 Official sources & verification

Where these facts come from

Every number on this page comes from the official files below. Lines with no number are Margdarshan guidance. Rules change every year — open the current notice before you apply.

  1. NTA — NEET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin (opens in a new tab) pattern, marking, age, subjects, additional-subject rule, qualifying percentiles, reservation, fees, 13 languages, MCC seats; chapter on BAMS / BSMS / BUMS / BHMS (eligibility, AACCC, AIQ reservation, percentiles); VCI 15% B.V.Sc quota · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  2. NBEMS — NEET-PG 2026 Information Bulletin (linked from natboard.edu.in) (opens in a new tab) single entrance for MD / MS / PG Diploma, institutes outside NEET-PG, 30 Aug 2026 exam, internship cut-off 30 Sep 2026, 180 MCQs in 3 h 30 min, +4 / −1, five timed sections, qualifying percentiles, MCC / state counselling, fees ₹3,500 / ₹2,500 · Last checked 15 Oct 2026
  3. National Medical Commission — Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (Gazette, 29 Dec 2023) (opens in a new tab) course durations (3-year MD / MS, 2-year diploma, 3-year super-speciality), District Residency Programme, stipend at par, leave rules, MS (OBG) and D.G.O. lists, M.Ch. feeder qualifications · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
  4. UPSC — Advertisement No. 07/2026 (25 Jun 2026) (opens in a new tab) Specialist Grade III (Orthopaedics), CHS: 4 posts, Level 11 + NPA, age 40 UR / 43 OBC / 45 ST, MBBS + M.S. / DNB / diploma (Orthopaedics), 3 years after PG degree or 5 after diploma; Assistant Professor (Orthopaedics), Sports Injury Centre, VMMC & Safdarjung: 2 posts; Library and Information Officer, CGWB: 1 post, Level 11, age 40, Master's in Library Science + 5 years; Deputy Superintending Archaeologist, ASI: 2 posts, Level 10, age 35 UR / 40 ST, Master's in Archaeology / Ancient or Medieval Indian History / Anthropology (stone-age archaeology) / Geology (Pleistocene) + either a doctorate or a 1-year PG Diploma in Archaeology and 3 years' field experience including excavation, duties, Group A, 2-year probation; Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Cardiology): 9 posts, (Neurology): 21 posts, Level 11 + NPA, age 40 UR / EWS, 43 OBC, 45 SC / ST, MBBS + D.M. / DNB in the subject + 3 years' teaching experience after the first PG degree (a 3-year D.M. counts); closing date 17 Jul 2026 · Last checked 28 Oct 2026
  5. SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
  6. Ministry of Education — PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships guidelines (2022-23 onwards), copy hosted by NIT Kurukshetra (opens in a new tab) 80th percentile, ₹4.5 lakh income, regular degree only, no other scholarship, ₹12,000 / ₹20,000 rates, renewal rules · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
  7. National Medical Commission — Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship Regulations, 2021 (18 Nov 2021) (opens in a new tab) internship of at least 12 months after final MBBS, stipend fixed by the appropriate authority for 52 weeks, NExT whenever in force · Last checked 25 Oct 2026

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