Allied Healthcare vs MBBS: The Ultimate Career Guide for Medical Aspirants in India 2025

The choice of a healthcare career is exciting for many students in India, but the question still comes up: is the usual MBBS the only way, or can you consider options in Allied Health Sciences? Because of the new GAHET exam and changes in the job market, choosing a career path is more crucial than it used to be. Together, we can evaluate the available facts, the latest trends and what real opportunities exist so that you can choose what works for you.

Knowing the Differences: MBBS and Allied Health

MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) 

• MBBS is an undergraduate medical program.
• This medical degree is the most well-regarded and respected in India.
• You must clear the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) for this profession.
• The course covers 5 years of study and includes a 12-month internship.
• Diagnosis, therapy and management of diseases are the focus of a doctor’s role.

Allied Healthcare

• Allied Health Sciences provides training for people who want to work in medicine.
• Covered jobs include physiotherapists, technologists in the lab, radiographers, optometrists and various other professionals like them.
• Getting admission to college is usually done through specialized entrance exams such as GAHET, KCET or directly in some cases.
• The amount of time taken to complete a program can range from 3 to 4.5 years, according to a student’s chosen specialization.
• Supporting doctors in making diagnoses, selecting treatments and looking after the needs of patients is the main role.

NEET and GAHET are Two Main Medical Entrance Exams

Top medical entrance tests are NEET and GAHET. To apply for MBBS programs, NEET is required and hundreds of thousands of students compete for a minimal number of seats each year. On the other hand, GAHET (Global Allied Healthcare Entrance Test) is the latest medical entrance exam for getting into leading Allied Healthcare colleges in India. 

As per the official GAHET website, the test measures skills in science, analysis and communication, so students from any background can attempt the exam (terms and conditions applied). GAHET scores are accepted by the following top colleges in India: 

• Invertis University, Bareilly
• Sahara Paramedical Institute of Science, Meerut
• Saraswati Group of Colleges, Mohali, Punjab
• Swarnim Start-up and Innovation University, Gujarat
• Graphic Era University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
• Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal
• Avadh Institute of Medical Technology & Hospital, Lucknow
• B.N. College of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow
• Mangalayatan University, Jabalpur
• Rai University, Gujarat
• Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur
• Apex University, Rajasthan
• Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, Dehradun
• JECRC University, Jaipur
• PDM University, Bahadurgarh
• And 100 more across India…

Healthcare career options India

MBBS:

• You can become a doctor, surgeon or a specialist in medicine.
• People can make a high income, but there is strong competition for postgraduate spots and government employment.
• People look up to doctors and appreciate their achievements.

Allied Healthcare:

• Some of the careers are physiotherapist, radiographer, lab technologist, optometrist, anaesthetist and others.
• There is a big need for epidemiologists in hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs and research institutes.
• The first salary offered varies between ₹2.5 and 10 lakh per annum, depending on the person’s area of interest and place of work.
• There are many international opportunities, especially for nursing, physiotherapy and medical technologists.

Trends in the Job Market and What’s Coming Ahead

Doctors are always needed, yet getting the chance to study for an MBBS is not easy since seats are few and many aspiring students want to study. Many doctors opt for further training to make themselves different from others.

Experts predict that the need for experienced allied health workers will quickly grow due to new developments in diagnosis, prevention and medical technology. The healthcare sector is recognizing that allied health careers are necessary for its success.

Work-Life Balance in Medical Field

Managing your job and your personal life, as well as being happy with your work, can’t go hand in hand in the medical field. Knowing this before choosing this field is crucial. However, if you are okay with this good-cause career that might demand extra hours from you, then you are on the right path. 

For the first few years, doctors on an MBBS program have to handle long shifts, a lot of stress and being on call whenever needed. On the other hand, generally, Allied Health positions provide regular shifts and better balance between work and personal life, with the chance to focus on a specific area and grow.

Which Direction Should You Take?

Go for MBBS if you want to become a doctor.

• You are committed to becoming a doctor and willing to deal with the tough rivalry in this profession.
• Some students are ready to take on the challenging, lengthy, and costly journey of MBBS.
• You try to get ahead in society and are prepared to work many hours.

Go for Allied Healthcare if it’s appealing to you.

• You seek a job in healthcare that offers many opportunities.
• You are looking for a practical course that does not take a lot of time and won’t cost a lot.
• You want a good balance between work and personal life, and are ready to work in diagnostics, therapy or technology.

MBBS and allied healthcare are paths to fulfilling, respected and significant careers in health services in India. The right path for you will depend on what interests you, your strengths and your plans for the future. As GAHET and allied healthcare careers increase in popularity, today is exactly the right time to check out all the alternatives you have in the medical field in India apart from being a doctor and a nurse. Study the subject well, consult those in the field and pick the stream you feel the most interested in. 

Note: if you aren’t sure which path will help you live a satisfied life, visit the GAHET portal or call us @ 08035018453 for a free career consultation.