The Ayurvedic Colleges of India awards the Degree of "Ayurvedacharya" or B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery) at the bachelor level. Duration of B.A.M.S is 51/2 years - 61/2 years including Internship.
Eligibility required to join B.A.M.S (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery) is Higher Secondary/P.U.C. preferably with Sanskrit or an examination equivalent there to, or Intermediate (Ayurvedic group- Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Sanskrit) of any recognised University/Board which confirms to the specifications approved by the Council. Minimum age of joining for B.A.M.S. course is 17 years.
Some institutions also offer certificate courses or pre Ayurvedic courses of 1 year to 2 years. Eligibility criteria for such course is S.S.L.C./ Matriculation preferably with Sanskrit or an examination equivalent.
Main entrance exams for admission to a Bachelors degree in Ayurveda include, 'All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Exam' conducted by Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE), Delhi on a national level to select the candidates at an all India level (except in the states of Jammu & Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh) for admission to roughly 15% of the total seats in the colleges of each state, Pre-med entrance exam conducted by different states on their own for domiciled candidates. Some national level institutions where admission does not hinge on domicile status, give admission on the basis of merit in the 10+2 examination, or conduct their own entrance test for admission to B.A.M.S. courses.
Candidates who have passed B.A.M.S. can apply for post graduate programmes. The Post graduate programmes are conducted by many recognised institutions and has a duration of 3 years leading to degrees of Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda [M.D. (Ayu)] and Master of Surgery in Ayurveda [M.S. (Ayu)]
Skills Required
To be a successful Ayurveda practitioner, one must have:
- strong power of concentration
- self-confidence
- responsibility
- caring nature
- good communication and counseling skills
- ability to make pivotal decisions after weighing up relevant factors