MD Dermatology is a highly sought-after three-year postgraduate medical program specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of skin, hair, nail, and mucous membrane disorders. This specialty encompasses both medical and surgical aspects of dermatological conditions, including cosmetic dermatology and dermatopathology. Dermatologists are medical experts who treat a wide range of conditions from common skin problems like acne and eczema to complex autoimmune diseases and skin cancers.
The field of dermatology has witnessed tremendous growth with advancing technologies in laser treatments, aesthetic procedures, and novel therapeutic approaches. MD Dermatology graduates gain expertise in clinical dermatology, dermatosurgery, pediatric dermatology, and cosmetic procedures, making them versatile healthcare professionals with excellent career prospects in both clinical practice and aesthetic medicine.
MD Dermatology Course Highlights
| Course Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | MD Dermatology |
| Course Level | Postgraduate (Master’s Degree) |
| Course Type | MD CLINICAL |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Examination Type | Theory, Practical, Viva, and Dissertation |
| Eligibility | MBBS + Internship + NEET PG Qualification |
| Admission Process | NEET PG Based Counseling |
| Total Colleges/Hospitals | 373 |
| Total Seats | 1422 |
| Course Fee | Government Quota Tuition Fees: ₹ 1150/Year – ₹ 7500000/Year Management Quota Tuition Fees: ₹ 181910/Year – ₹ 8125000/Year NRI Quota Tuition Fees: $ 46000/Year -₹ 13515750/Year |
| Average Starting Salary | ₹10-20 Lakhs per annum |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Hospitals, Aesthetic Clinics, Pharmaceutical Companies |
| Job Positions | Dermatologist, Cosmetic Surgeon, Consultant, Professor |
Why Study MD Dermatology?
- Highly Prestigious Specialty: One of the most competitive and respected medical specialties with excellent social recognition and professional status.
- Excellent Work-Life Balance: Regular working hours with minimal emergency calls, allowing better personal life management compared to other specialties.
- Lucrative Career Opportunities: Among the highest-earning medical specialties with substantial income from cosmetic procedures and private practice.
- Diverse Treatment Modalities: Combines medical treatment, surgical procedures, laser therapy, and aesthetic medicine for comprehensive patient care.
- Growing Aesthetic Medicine Market: Increasing demand for cosmetic and anti-aging treatments creates expanding business opportunities globally.
- Research and Innovation: Continuous developments in dermatological treatments, skincare products, and aesthetic technologies offer research scope.
- Minimal Physical Stress: Less physically demanding compared to surgical specialties while maintaining high professional satisfaction levels.
- Global Practice Opportunities: Skills are internationally recognized with opportunities for practice and collaboration worldwide.
- Technology Integration: Advanced laser systems, imaging devices, and minimally invasive procedures make practice exciting and rewarding.
- Preventive Medicine Focus: Emphasis on skin cancer prevention, skincare education, and cosmetic wellness aligns with modern healthcare trends.
MD Dermatology Admission Process 2025
The MD Dermatology admission process for 2025 is extremely competitive due to limited seats and high demand. The process begins with NEET PG qualification, which serves as the gateway for admission to all postgraduate medical programs. Dermatology typically requires top ranks in NEET PG due to its popularity and limited availability of seats across medical colleges.
Following NEET PG results, candidates participate in counseling conducted by Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota seats and state counseling authorities for state quota seats. The counseling process involves choice filling, where candidates prioritize their preferred colleges and specialties based on their ranks and seat availability.
Document verification is mandatory before final seat allotment, requiring candidates to present all necessary certificates and credentials. Given the high competition for dermatology seats, candidates often need backup options and should be prepared for multiple counseling rounds. The entire admission process typically concludes by August 2025, with classes commencing in the same month.
MD Dermatology Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: MBBS degree from Medical Council of India or National Medical Commission recognized medical college with valid registration.
- Internship Completion: Mandatory completion of one-year rotating internship before applying for MD Dermatology program.
- NEET PG Qualification: Must qualify NEET PG examination with competitive rank suitable for dermatology seat allocation.
- Medical Registration: Valid permanent or provisional registration with Medical Council of India or respective State Medical Council.
- Age Requirement: Maximum age limit of 32 years for general category with relaxations for SC/ST/OBC candidates as per guidelines.
- Academic Performance: Strong academic background in MBBS preferred due to highly competitive nature of dermatology admissions.
- Physical Fitness: Medical fitness certificate ensuring ability to perform clinical duties and surgical procedures effectively.
- Language Proficiency: Adequate English communication skills for academic learning, patient interaction, and research activities.
- Foreign Medical Graduates: FMGE qualification mandatory for candidates with foreign medical degrees seeking admission.
- Character Certificate: Good conduct certificate from previous institution demonstrating professional integrity and ethical behavior.
MD Dermatology Entrance Exams
| Exam | Registration Period | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| NEET PG | April 17, 2025 – May 7, 2025 | August 3rd, 2025 |
| INI CET | March 2025 – April 2025 | January Session: Nov 9, 2025 July Session: May 17th, 2025 |
MD Dermatology Syllabus Semester Wise
First Year (Semester I & II)
Basic Dermatology and Fundamentals
- Applied anatomy and physiology of skin, hair, and nails
- Histopathology and immunopathology of skin diseases
- Basic dermatological examination techniques and diagnostic methods
- Common skin conditions: acne, eczema, psoriasis, and fungal infections
- Dermatological pharmacology and topical medication principles
- Introduction to dermatosurgery and basic procedural techniques
Second Year (Semester III & IV)
Advanced Clinical Dermatology
- Complex inflammatory and autoimmune skin disorders
- Dermatological manifestations of systemic diseases
- Pediatric dermatology and geriatric skin conditions
- Sexually transmitted diseases and genital dermatology
- Occupational and contact dermatitis management
- Advanced diagnostic techniques including dermoscopy and biopsy procedures
Third Year (Semester V & VI)
Specialized Dermatology and Research
- Dermatological oncology and skin cancer management
- Cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic procedures
- Laser therapy and advanced treatment modalities
- Hair disorders and transplantation techniques
- Research methodology, case studies, and dissertation completion
- Clinical rotations in specialized dermatology units and aesthetic centers
Top Ranking MD Dermatology Colleges in India
| Name of Institute | Intake | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | 6 | ₹2,50,000 |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | 4 | ₹4,00,000 |
| JIPMER Puducherry | 3 | ₹3,00,000 |
| LTMMC Mumbai | 5 | ₹3,50,000 |
| MAMC New Delhi | 4 | ₹3,25,000 |
| CMC Vellore | 4 | ₹15,00,000 |
| KEM Hospital Mumbai | 4 | ₹3,75,000 |
| GMCH Chandigarh | 3 | ₹4,25,000 |
| BMCRI Bangalore | 4 | ₹5,00,000 |
| IPGMER Kolkata | 3 | ₹3,50,000 |
Statewise MD Dermatology Seats
| State | Total Colleges | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 48 | 213 |
| Maharashtra | 46 | 160 |
| Tamil Nadu | 33 | 149 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 29 | 123 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 34 | 103 |
| Telangana | 24 | 98 |
| Rajasthan | 14 | 75 |
| Gujarat | 20 | 68 |
| Kerala | 22 | 61 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 13 | 50 |
| Delhi | 8 | 44 |
| West Bengal | 14 | 38 |
| Puducherry | 9 | 38 |
| Bihar | 7 | 28 |
| Odisha | 7 | 27 |
| Punjab | 7 | 24 |
| Haryana | 7 | 19 |
| Uttarakhand | 4 | 18 |
| Chhattisgarh | 6 | 16 |
| JammuKashmir | 5 | 15 |
| Assam | 4 | 14 |
| Chandigarh | 3 | 14 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | 9 |
| Manipur | 2 | 6 |
| Goa | 1 | 5 |
| Jharkhand | 2 | 5 |
| Meghalaya | 1 | 2 |
Quota Wise MD Dermatology 2024 Closing Score Cut off
| Quota | Description | Closing NEET PG 2024 Score | Starting NEET PG 2023 Score | Closing NEET PG 2023 Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIQ | All India Counselling | 706 | 196 | 706 |
| AMU | Aligarh Muslim University Counselling | 587 | 293 | 587 |
| BHQ | Banaras Hindu University PG Counselling | 364 | 255 | 364 |
| DUQ | Delhi University – Internal Counselling | 641 | 592 | 641 |
| IPQ | Indraprastha University Counselling | 620 | 448 | 620 |
| MNQ | Deemed Universities Counselling | 572 | 347 | 572 |
| MQ | Management Quota Counselling | 609 | 224 | 609 |
| NRI | Non Resident Indian (NRI) Counselling | 537 | 45 | 537 |
| OPMQ | Open State Counselling | 604 | 157 | 604 |
| SQ | State Counselling | 700 | 165 | 700 |
What After MD Dermatology?
After completing MD Dermatology, graduates have exceptional career opportunities in both clinical practice and aesthetic medicine. The most immediate option is establishing a private dermatology practice or joining established clinics and hospitals as consultant dermatologists. The growing aesthetic medicine market offers lucrative opportunities in cosmetic procedures, anti-aging treatments, and medical spa services.
Academic careers provide opportunities to join medical colleges as faculty members, with potential progression to senior positions like Professor and Head of Department. Many dermatologists pursue additional certifications in specialized areas like dermatopathology, pediatric dermatology, or advanced aesthetic procedures to enhance their expertise and earning potential.
Entrepreneurial opportunities exist in establishing aesthetic clinics, skincare product development, or dermatological device manufacturing. Some graduates also explore opportunities in pharmaceutical companies for drug development, clinical research, or medical affairs roles related to dermatological products.
MD Dermatology Jobs
| Job Profiles | Job Descriptions | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Consultant Dermatologist | Clinical practice, patient consultation, medical and surgical dermatology | ₹15-35 Lakhs |
| Aesthetic Medicine Specialist | Cosmetic procedures, anti-aging treatments, laser therapy | ₹20-50 Lakhs |
| Senior Resident | Hospital-based practice, emergency dermatology, teaching responsibilities | ₹10-18 Lakhs |
| Assistant Professor | Academic teaching, research, clinical practice in medical colleges | ₹12-22 Lakhs |
| Private Practice Owner | Independent clinic operation, business management, specialized treatments | ₹25-75 Lakhs |
| Dermatopathologist | Skin biopsy interpretation, diagnostic services, and laboratory consultation | ₹18-40 Lakhs |
| Medical Affairs Manager | Pharmaceutical industry, product development, clinical research | ₹20-35 Lakhs |
| Telemedicine Consultant | Online consultations, digital health platforms, remote dermatology | ₹15-30 Lakhs |
MD Dermatology 2025 FAQ’s
A. Candidates must hold an MBBS degree with compulsory internship completion and qualify NEET PG 2025.
A. Direct admission is not allowed in government colleges; however, private and deemed universities may offer seats through management and NRI quota.
A. Dermatology is among the most competitive branches, and top colleges usually close below AIR 700–800 under AIQ.
A. Fees vary widely:
– Government colleges: ₹60,000 – ₹1.5 lakh per year
– Private colleges: ₹25–40 lakh total course fee
– Deemed universities: ₹35–55 lakh total course fee
A. The primary exam is NEET PG 2025. Some institutes also accept INI-CET for AIIMS and central institutes.
A. Graduates can work as dermatologists, cosmetologists, academicians, or pursue super-specialization like DM in Dermatopathology or Aesthetic Medicine.
A. Yes, all PG medical students in government and private colleges (except management quota) receive a monthly stipend, usually ranging from ₹40,000 – ₹90,000 depending on the state/institute.