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Student Journey Blueprint

How to become an Unani Physician — 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 (or Biotechnology) → NEET (UG) → BUMS (Kamile Tib o Jarahat), 5½ years with a 12-month internship → registration in the Central or a State Register of Indian Medicine. MD / MS (Unani) is through AIAPGET. [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

A Unani physician practises the Unani system of medicine after the degree Kamile Tib o Jarahat (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery, BUMS). The course is regulated by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM). [1]

A normal working day

  • Examine patients and treat them with Unani medicines and regimens.
  • Work in Unani hospitals, CGHS wellness centres, dispensaries or your own clinic.
  • Do research in Unani research institutes.

Pay

Pay
LevelPay (official)
Medical Officer / Research Officer (Unani), Ministry of Ayush — UPSC 2026Level 10 of the Pay Matrix plus NPA [4]

Private and state pay is not officially published.

Main routes

NEET (UG) → BUMS

All BAMS, BSMS, BUMS and BHMS seats are filled through NEET (UG), with 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology. [2]

Pre-Tib route

Up to 10% of BUMS seats may be filled through a one-year Pre-Tib programme for students with oriental qualifications in Arabic / Persian equivalent to 10+2; NEET does not apply to Pre-Tib candidates. [1]

MD / MS (Unani)

AIAPGET, run by NTA, is the entrance for MD / MS in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy; the Unani paper is in Urdu and English. [3]

Central government

UPSC Advt 09/2026 had 4 Medical Officer / Research Officer (Unani) posts in the Ministry of Ayush, needing a Unani degree and enrolment on the Central or a State Register of Indian Medicine. [4]

Time and cost

BUMS length
5½ years: three 18-month professional years + 12-month internship [1]
AIAPGET 2026 fee
₹2,700 General · ₹2,450 EWS / OBC-NCL · ₹1,800 SC / ST / PwBD / third gender [3]

BUMS college fees differ by college and state, so none are printed.

Hidden challenges

  • Urdu matters: students who did not pass Urdu, Arabic or Persian in Class 10 or 12 must study Urdu along with Arabic and Mantiq wa Falsafa in the First Professional year. [1]
  • Admission is only through NEET (UG) and counselling — there is no separate BUMS entrance. [2]
  • Rules have changed recently: NCISM's 14 July 2025 letter dropped the 50% PCB condition, so check the current year's NEET (UG) bulletin. [5] [2]

Who should not choose it

  • You want to prescribe modern (allopathic) medicine — that is MBBS.
  • You do not want to learn Urdu and classical Unani texts.
  • You want a short course — BUMS takes 5½ years.
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

    Biology and languages

    • Passing Urdu, Arabic or Persian in Class 10 or 12 saves you an extra Urdu subject in BUMS. [1]

    Doubt What degree does a Unani doctor get?

    Kamile Tib o Jarahat — Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS), awarded after the course and a 12-month compulsory rotatory internship. [1]

    Next: Plan for NEET (UG) after Class 12.

    Doubt Do I need to know Urdu for BUMS?

    It helps. If you did not pass Urdu, Arabic or Persian in Class 10 or 12, you must study Urdu along with Arabic and Mantiq wa Falsafa (logic and philosophy) in the First Professional BUMS year. [1]

    Next: Take Urdu as a subject in school if you can.

  2. You are here Class 10

    Choose PCB in Class 11

    • BUMS needs 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology. [2]

    Stream / subjects: Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (or Biotechnology).

    Doubt Can I take Biotechnology instead of Biology for BUMS?

    Yes. The NEET (UG) 2026 bulletin's AYUSH chapter accepts 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology, and NCISM's July 2025 amendment says the same. [2] [5]

    Next: Make sure your school offers PCB or PC-Biotech.

  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, 3 hours. [2]

    Money help at this stage

    Lower NEET (UG) fee

    Doubt Is NEET compulsory for BUMS?

    Yes. All BAMS, BSMS, BUMS and BHMS seats are filled through NEET (UG). Only the Pre-Tib route for oriental-qualification students is outside NEET. [2] [1]

    Next: Register for NEET (UG) in your Class 12 year.

    Doubt Do I need 50% in PCB for BUMS?

    Not any more. NCISM's 2022 regulations asked for 50% (40% reserved), but NCISM's letter of 14 July 2025 changed the rule to a pass in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology, and the NEET (UG) 2026 bulletin prints no percentage. [1] [5] [2]

    Next: Still check the bulletin of your admission year.

    Doubt Is there an upper age limit for BUMS?

    NCISM's 2022 regulations printed an upper limit of 25 (30 for SC / ST / OBC / disabled), but the NEET (UG) 2026 bulletin's AYUSH chapter asks only that you are 17 by 31 December of the admission year. [1] [2]

    Next: Follow the bulletin of your admission year and confirm with the counselling body.

    Doubt What NEET percentile do I need for BUMS?

    NCISM's regulations ask for the 50th percentile (40th for SC, ST and OBC; 45th for General PwBD). [1]

    Next: Qualifying is the minimum — counselling goes by rank.

  4. You are here In college

    BUMS: 5½ years

    • Three professional years of 18 months each, then a 12-month compulsory rotatory internship. [1]

    Doubt How long is BUMS?

    Five years and six months: First, Second and Third Professional BUMS of 18 months each and a 12-month compulsory rotatory internship. [1]

    Next: Plan for 5½ years before you can practise.

    Doubt Do BUMS interns get a stipend?

    In central, state and union territory institutions, NCISM says interns get a stipend at par with other medical systems under that government. [1]

    Next: Ask your college about the current rate.

    Doubt In which language is BUMS taught?

    Urdu, Hindi, any recognised regional language or English. [1]

    Next: Ask each college which medium it uses.

    Doubt What do I need before starting the BUMS internship?

    You must pass all subjects of the First to Third (Final) Professional exams, including nine electives, and get a provisional degree certificate from your university and a provisional registration certificate from your State Board or Council. [1]

    Next: Apply for provisional registration as soon as results are out.

  5. You are here Graduated

    Register, practise or study further

    • AIAPGET 2026 was held on 22 August 2026 for MD / MS in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy. [3]

    Exams that open here

    • AIAPGET 2026 — 22 Aug 2026 [3]

    Doubt How do I do MD in Unani?

    Through AIAPGET, the NTA entrance for MD / MS seats in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy. The Unani paper is set in Urdu and English. [3]

    Next: Finish the internship and register before applying.

    Doubt Can a BUMS graduate get a central government job?

    Yes. UPSC Advt 09/2026 had 4 Medical Officer / Research Officer (Unani) posts in the Ministry of Ayush at Level 10 plus NPA, for candidates with a Unani degree enrolled on the Central or a State Register of Indian Medicine. [4]

    Next: Get registered, then watch UPSC advertisements.

    Doubt What is the age limit for UPSC Unani Medical Officer posts?

    In Advt 09/2026 it was 35 for UR and EWS, 38 for OBC and 40 for SC, with up to 10 more years for PwBD. [4]

    Next: Apply early in your career.

  6. You are here Working / switching career

    Medical Officer work

    • UPSC's Unani Medical Officers work in CGHS dispensaries / wellness centres or as Research Officers. [4]

    Doubt What does a Unani Medical Officer do in CGHS?

    UPSC's 2026 advertisement lists the duties as working as Medical Officer at CGHS dispensaries / wellness centres and as Research Officer. [4]

    Next: Read the full duties in each UPSC advertisement.

Your school board

Any board. BUMS needs Physics, Chemistry and Biology (or Biotechnology) in Class 12; Urdu, Arabic or Persian in Class 10 or 12 helps. [2] [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) → BUMS → AIAPGET (MD / MS Unani) · NTA, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine

Entrance
NEET (UG) — 180 Qs · 720 marks [2]
BUMS
5½ years incl. 12-month internship [1]
NEET cut-off
50th percentile (40th SC / ST / OBC) [1]
PG entrance
AIAPGET · Unani paper in Urdu & English [3]
NEET (UG) → BUMS → AIAPGET (MD / MS Unani) stages
StageWhat it isRule
NEET (UG)Entrance for BUMSPCB or PC-Biotech in 10+2
BUMS3 × 18-month professional yearsUrdu if not studied in school
Internship12 monthsProvisional registration first
AIAPGETMD / MS (Unani)After degree and internship

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

Open the full exam guide
03 State rules

Rules for all of India — and your state

  • National route: BUMS rules are set by NCISM for the whole country; All India quota seats follow central reservation and state quota seats follow the state's policy. [1] [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

Ayurveda doctor (BAMS)

Another AYUSH degree through NEET.

Explore →

Homoeopathy doctor

BHMS through NEET.

Explore →

NEET (UG)

The entrance for all medical and AYUSH degrees.

Explore →

Doctor (MBBS)

Modern medicine.

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 [6]

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) [7]

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.
Scholarship Open to you now From Class 11

Post-Matric Scholarship for SC students

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, through your state

Compulsory non-refundable fees (tuition included) plus a yearly academic allowance — the college cannot ask you to pay the fee first [8]

Who
SC students after Class 10 (ITI, diploma, degree and CA/CMA/CS courses count), family income up to ₹2.5 lakh. Separate post-matric schemes exist for ST, OBC and minority students on the same portal.
How
Your state scholarship portal or scholarships.gov.in. The printed guidelines cover 2020-21 to 2025-26; check the 2026-27 rules on the portal.
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) [2]

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.
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. NCISM — Minimum Standards of Undergraduate Unani Education Regulations, 2022 (Gazette, 28 Feb 2022) (opens in a new tab) BUMS eligibility (PCB 50% / 40% / 45% as printed in 2022), Urdu / Arabic / Persian rule, Pre-Tib route and 10% seats, age 17 and upper limit 25 (+5), NEET percentiles, 5½-year duration, 12-month internship, intern stipend at par, medium of instruction · Last checked 28 Oct 2026
  2. 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
  3. NTA — AIAPGET 2026 Information Bulletin (July 2026) (opens in a new tab) applications 10–30 July 2026, exam 22 Aug 2026, fees ₹2,700 / ₹2,450 / ₹1,800, 120 MCQs / 480 marks / 2 hours / +4 −1, languages, eligibility (degree, registration, internship cut-off) · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
  4. UPSC — Advertisement No. 09/2026 (24 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Medical Officer / Research Officer (Unani), Ministry of Ayush: 4 vacancies, Level 10 + NPA, age 35 UR / EWS, 38 OBC, 40 SC, Unani degree + Central / State Register of Indian Medicine, CGHS duties; closing date 14 Aug 2026 · Last checked 28 Oct 2026
  5. Jamia Hamdard — Corrigendum on NCISM's amended BUMS eligibility (29 Aug 2025), quoting NCISM letter F.No. 11-76/2021-BUSS of 14 Jul 2025 (opens in a new tab) from 2025-26, BUMS eligibility = pass in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology (no percentage) · Last checked 28 Oct 2026
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment — Post Matric Scholarship for SC students, guidelines 2020-21 to 2025-26 (copy hosted by Goa Social Welfare) (opens in a new tab) ₹2.5 lakh income limit, fees + academic allowance, no pre-payment of fees, CA/ICWA/CS students covered · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.