What is Unani medicine and what does BUMS cover?

Unani medicine is a traditional Islamic system of medicine based on the teachings of Hippocrates and Galen, developed in Persia and adopted in the Indian subcontinent. BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery) is a 5.5-year program including a 1-year internship that covers Unani concepts of health (Mizam al-Tibb), Kulliyat (Unani principles), Ilmul Advia (Materia Medica), Ilmul Saidala (Pharmacy), Moalajat (Therapeutics), Ilmul Jarrahat (Surgery), modern biomedical sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry), Pathology, Microbiology, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. Urdu proficiency is preferred as classical texts are in Arabic/Urdu.

What are the top Unani medical colleges in India?

Top Unani medical colleges include the Jamia Hamdard (Faculty of Unani Medicine) New Delhi, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Tibbiya College, National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) Bengaluru, Government Nizamia General Hospital and Unani Medical College Hyderabad, State Unani Medical College Allahabad, and state Unani colleges in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. NIUM Bengaluru, being a central government institute, offers the highest quality education with advanced research facilities and admits through AIAPGET for PG programs.

Are government jobs available for BUMS graduates?

Yes, government employment for BUMS graduates exists through AYUSH dispensaries and hospitals under the National AYUSH Mission, state AYUSH departments, ESIC Unani OPDs, and central government Unani hospitals. States with significant Muslim populations (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra) have more Unani government positions. The pay scale for government Unani Medical Officers is at Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission (Rs. 56,100 per month basic). Central government opportunities exist at CCRUM (Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine) for research positions.

What is the MD Unani program?

MD Unani is a 3-year postgraduate program in specializations like Kulliyat (Principles), Ilmul Advia, Ilmul Saidala, Moalajat (Internal Medicine), Amraz-e-Jild (Dermatology), Amraz-e-Atfal (Pediatrics), Amraz-e-Niswan (Gynecology), and Ilmul Jarrahat (Surgery). Admission to MD Unani programs is through AIAPGET. NIUM Bengaluru and Jamia Hamdard are the premier institutions for MD Unani. The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) also recruits MD Unani candidates for research positions. MD Unani graduates can teach in Unani medical colleges and work in Unani pharmaceutical companies.

Is Urdu compulsory for BUMS?

Urdu proficiency is highly beneficial for BUMS because classical Unani texts and many standard references are in Arabic or Urdu. Some institutions require Urdu as a qualifying language or teach certain subjects in Urdu. At AMU Tibbiya College, Urdu is integral to the curriculum. However, many modern BUMS colleges, especially in South India and Maharashtra, teach primarily in English and Hindi, making Urdu less critical for daily learning. Nonetheless, reading classical Unani texts in their original language deepens understanding, and Urdu-reading students often have an advantage in examinations and research.