Armed Forces Medical College - [AFMC], Pune

Firstly you need to be sure of your decision to join AFMC Pune because you can never perform well if you are in a dilemma. You need to portray your genuine self during the interview, that is the key to getting selected. Your interview shouldn’t seem forced. 

• When you come for the interview, you will go through certificate deposition, wherein a file about you is initiated. You will score extra marks for the certificates you already have.
• This will be followed by ToELR, a Test of English Language and Reasoning. It’s an 80-mark test consisting of 40 marks for English and 40 for Mathematics and logical abilities.
• For English, all you need is basic knowledge of the language. For this, you can just take some short online English tests consisting of comprehension synonyms and antonyms.
• For Mathematics, you need to be the origin of your concepts and also have a strong presence of mind. 
• The psychological test will evaluate your real self and I don’t think there is any right way to prepare for this.
• This is followed by a preliminary interview with the Brigadier(Adm). During this round, your file is updated for the final round. 
• Lastly, the most crucial round is the panel interview. This interview is conducted by a panel of psychologists, the Dean, and several other intelligent and prestigious members of AMC. They will evaluate your basic knowledge about your area, your interests, and your hobbies. 

The key to ace these institutes is to stay confident and genuine! 

The level of hecticness at AFMC Pune or any medical college actually depends on the kind of crowd you are surrounded with. While most believe that your life becomes peaceful once the first term is over, I negate this opinion because, in reality, you will experience the most hectic life during those initial days. Once again, here, I answer what I have experienced.

A close friend shared his experience of the initial days at AFMC. 

• On the first evening, he along with his batchmates were summoned by the fresher NCO. He informed everyone about the rules and regulations they were required to follow. 
• The first day began with early morning PT before which everyone had shaved off their face and worn the PT uniform. A headcount confirmed the attendance and they were asked to run from U block to Otilia Mascarenhas Sports Ground. 
• They were then required to change and assemble to go to Central Cadets Mess in just 15 minutes. After that, they headed to their lectures.
• After classes were over, they went back to U block and were called for evening games an hour later. Games were followed by dinner. 
• After dinner, the students assembled for the last task of the day, orientation. 
• After the orientation, their mess warden addressed them and they were finally dismissed.

Overall, the fresher term is the most hectic time at AFMC also because you haven't adjusted to the environment. But slowly the burden is reduced and you start enjoying your college life.

AFMC Pune has a beautiful campus and you will create a lot of unforgettable memories here. My friend was a student and shared a lot of pictures of his college days. I am attaching a few for reference:

His batchmates in uniform

Practice for the college fest Silhouettes

Lohri Celebration

Last day of college celebration

Classroom sessions

Front of the building that has lecture halls

Freshers Orientation

The Inter-floor cricket competition

Lush green campus

Hope these pictures were enough to get an idea about the beauty of the campus.

To get into AFMC Pune, one must sign either of these bonds

• SSC : The SSC or the short service commission is for a duration of 7 years and you will have to pay a penalty of around INR 28 Lakhs if you break the bond or quit. If you opt for this bond, you can apply for PG only after you complete 7 years. However, you can do your DNB after 4 years.
• PC : The PC or the permanent commission requires you to serve in the armed forces till you retire, that is for 20 years. If you opt for this bond in the armed forces after completing your MBBS, you can do your PG after 4 years.

Hope this helps you!

The schedule is quite busy, especially for final year cadets. But if you learn time management during your faccha term, you’ll manage everything with grace.

All the batches have two theory classes from 8 AM to 10:30 AM, followed by clinics ( during the first year, you’ll have practicals instead). 10:30 AM -11:00 AM is break time. Clinical Postings take place between 11 to 12:50 PM. You will have to reach the Command Hospital (CH) for clinical postings.

After Lunch, you’ll have DH/practicals/tutorials between 2-4 pm. You’ll get free by 4 pm. But on Wednesdays and Saturdays, no academic sessions are held post lunch. Between 5 - 8 PM, you can go swimming, to the gym, to the library, etc. During the final year, you’ll have evening clinics between 6-8 PM. You can visit the reading room to study at night. On Fridays, you’ll get to watch a movie in the Dhanvantari Auditorium.

This is the basic routine of a cadet at AFMC Pune. Also, there is a requirement of 75%+ attendance in theory classes, and 80%+ attendance in clinical postings.

To start, girls are very safe at AFMC Pune. The administration is very supportive of females. Here are a few things your daughter can expect from AFMC-

1. AFMC Pune allows mobile phones, and the students are provided with a sim of Maharashtra. You can call your daughter anytime you want, and vice versa.
2. She’ll get a vacation twice a year, for 15 days each time. But she’ll love AFMC so much that even these 15 days will seem like a lot.
3. The hostel washrooms are cleaned every day, and provided with basic facilities like tissues, geysers, etc.
4. The uniform consists of a shirt, tie, and trousers of light brown color. She will get two sets of it, along with one full-sleeve set, a blazer, and a sweater. The laundry person visits twice a week to wash and iron the uniform.
5. She’ll get a lot of voluntary tours and outings. There are events around Pune about twice every week, and she can attend independently or on behalf of the college. After the first 6 months, she can go for outings by herself, without any restrictions.
6. With a good NEET score and a command of Maths and English, she’ll get into AFMC. But the interview matters the most. If she is confident and expressive, the interview will go well too. As far as medical is concerned, she shouldn't be obese or suffering from a serious medical abnormality.
7. Morning PT stops after the third term (1.5 years). NCC drill also continues for the same time. PT will make her active and inculcate the habit of waking up early. 

It is great that your daughter plans to join AFMC. She will love her journey throughout.

As an alumnus of AFMC Pune, I will be providing you some basic information regarding the same-

1. AFMC stands for the Armed Forces Medical College. It is a highly reputed medical college in India.
2. It offers UG medical education to qualifying applicants. Post graduation, these highly trained doctors are commissioned into the Indian Armed Forces.
3. AFMC is commanded by a Lieutenant General of the Indian Army Medical Corps (or equivalent from the Navy or Air Force).
4. The faculty consists of highly skilled specialists in the Army Medical Corps. There are some skilled civilian faculty members as well.
5. AFMC also imparts PG training to medical officers of the three services.
6. A separate Nursing college awards BSc. Nursing degrees. These individuals join the Military Nursing Service.
7. AFMC grooms its cadets for a career in the Armed forces. As a result, sports, games, and extracurriculars are a part of life at AFMC.
8. Hostel residency is compulsory for all the medical cadets.

These are some basic details about AFMC Pune. If you want a successful medical career in the Indian Army, you will have to work hard and get into this prestigious college.

Medical students from all these colleges are quite decent. They are normal people studying at reputed institutions. I have good friends in MAMC and LHMC.

It is in fact society that puts an extra burden on these people. They are expected to be social all the time. But this expectation is very unrealistic.

It is not right to put labels on these individuals. Their busy schedule should not be confused with egoistic behavior.

The life of a female student at AFMC Pune depends on whichever semester you are in. During the initial years, you receive training from your seniors regarding the rules and regulations of the colleges. Moreover, the female population is very less so you might face issues adjusting and adapting to the new system. Specifically for females, the following points should be considered 

• The hostel rules are relatively more strict for girls than boys to ensure minimal opposite-gender interaction. 
• You will be highly cheered on if you are a good athlete as females being involved in sports is a rare scenario.
• You will be expected to be good culturally meaning all the decorations during Silhouettes, the annual fest will be your responsibility solely. Moreover, your participation in Dance, drama, music, debate, and quizzing activities is highly expected.

However, there is no discrimination whatsoever in terms of academics. This is what the daily schedule of a female medical student at AFMC Pune looks like

• Morning PT--6 am-7 am
• Classes—8 am-1 pm and 2 pm-4 pm
• Lunch—1pm-2pm
• Sports—5 pm-7 pm
• Dinner—7 pm-8 pm
• Joint Sensitisation Program—8 pm-9 pm

So the day of a female student at AFMC Pune typically begins around 6 in the morning and lasts till 9 at night.