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How do I prepare for the NIMHANS MCh neurosurgery entrance exam?
According to the new updated pattern from 2018, there are separate papers for DM neurology, Mch Neurosurgery, and MD psychiatry courses.
The 70 marks paper continues. The questions are asked from all 19 subjects. The questions are asked randomly. The weightage of any subject is increased at any time. No fixed weightage from the subjects can be expected. Don’t leave out any topics from the 19 subjects. Each mark counts and can be the reason for selection and non-selection. Only 4 seats for DM and 4 for MCh.
For 30 marks separate papers-
Neurology: Neuro medicine is asked mainly. So it's important to read Harrison's neurology portion. You should have good concepts of Neurophysiology, neuropathology, CNS pharmacology, Neuro-ophthalmology, and a few neuroanatomia. Ketzung for CNS pharma part and CNS pathology from Robbins is recommended.
Neurosurgery: Mostly basic questions are asked. Good concepts of Neuroanatomy is a must. Snell and Neuro medicine from Harrison is equally important for neurosurgery. A head injury from Bailey/ Sabiston is recommended.
Psychiatry: Kaplan and Saddok is a standard book. Cover Schizophrenia and depression topics from it with the psychological examination. Praveen Tripathi's psychiatry reference book as a whole is helpful. Understand concepts well. Watch Caplan videos on behavioral science for a good understanding.
Follow crash courses from DAMS, DBMCI, and Positive classes. You can also join the Telegram channel for NIMHANS preparation.
What is the difference in doing a six year MCh neurology course in NIMHANS and in other colleges in India?
It won't be right to talk about other institutions that offer Neurosurgery, but as one of my friends studied at NIMHANS, I will be able to share some details about it, analyzing which you can make your choice.
- Being a referral centre, NIMHANS receives lots of patients.
- The OPD’s will run up to modest hours in the evening and with cases ranging from PIVD to brainstem gliomas.
- The casualty will have a dedicated trauma team that receives 100–150 trauma cases per day, ranging from mild concussions to SAH.
- OT will run on all working days or all days in case of emergencies.
- The surgeries include aneurysmal clipping to functional surgeries such as DBS or functional hemispherectomy.
- There will be academic programs throughout the week including general classes to journal clubs.
- The main focus falls on clinical work, so you will get a lot of raw material to work with to gain clinical knowledge.
- If your interest lies in research, there are competing people there also, to encourage and guide you.
Ultimately, it is your duty to gather information from the cases, and what you learn from each of them after completing the clinical work. Always be ready to face any situation and work a hectic schedule.
What is the difference in doing a six-year MCh neurology course in NIMHANS and in other colleges in India?
I am not aware of other colleges but since my cousin is currently pursuing a six-year MCh neurology course in NIMHANS, I have better knowledge in that regard.
- NIMHANS has a huge patient load and the OPDs are open till late hours in the evening. The cases entertained are very diverse ranging from PIVD to brainstem gliomas.
- There is a dedicated trauma team that receives around 100–150 trauma cases every day from mild concussions to SAH. The OT runs on all working days and every day in case of emergency.
- Some of the most common surgeries conducted here are aneurysmal clipping to functional surgeries such as DBS or functional hemispherectomy.
- The academics aren’t compromised and general classes are conducted throughout the week. Here, primary importance is given to clinical exposure so students get a lot of raw material to work with to gain clinical knowledge.
- You will also have enough research facilities to satiate your research thirst.
Overall, you will have a lot of opportunities and your schedule will be extremely busy while pursuing the 6-year MCh neurology course.
What are the courses available in NIMHANS for an MBBS doctor?
One of my cousins graduated from NIMHANS and according to him, here are the courses available for an MBBS doctor in NIMHANS.
- MCh in Neurosurgery
- DM in Neurology
- MD in Psychiatry
- Fellowship in Psychiatric Rehabilitation
- Ph.D. in Clinical Neurosciences
- M.Phil in Neurosciences
- Ph.D. in Neurophysiology
- M.Phil in Neurophysiology
- M.Phil in Biophysics
If you are interested in research you can choose Ph.D. in Clinical Neurosciences or Ph.D. in Psychiatry. There is a direct entry after MBBS for MCh in Neurosurgery apart from DM in Neurology and MD in Psychiatry.
What's it like to be a postgraduate student in NIMHANS?
One of my friends was a student from an electronics engineering background who took Neuroscience for M.Phil. A lot of people have questioned his choice, but he said that it was a good decision and enjoyed learning about the course. Let me share his experience.
- He, including all other students, was posted in a new department every month. His first posting was in Human Genetics.
- They used to have a lecture series, starting with the History of Genetics, Basic Readings, Hot Research Topics, etc. This was followed by practicals with hands-on training.
- They attended all the seminars, journal club, viva, or thesis defenses happening in the department.
- Towards the end of their one-month posting; they have to present a seminar, submit an assignment, and take an internal exam.
- They also interact with the Ph.D. students to get an overview of research carried out in each department.
- The course was designed in such a way that full freedom is given to learning.
If you do not study and follow properly, it becomes difficult. He was content with his choice, stating that it is hard work that only matters. Except for the MD courses and nursing specialties all the courses here at NIMHANS are super specialties and research degrees (Ph.D./MPhil).
Which one is better for doing PG in neurology; NIMHANS or AIIMS?
Both AIIMS and NIMHANS are excellent options for pursuing a PG in neurology. While choosing one between the two, you might want to consider the following simple differences
- Courses: DM Neurology is offered at both AIIMS and NIMHANS. Both the colleges offer this course after PG in General Medicine for which you will have to pass the exams conducted by respective institutes.
- Courses after MBBS : NIMHANS offers a direct 5 years of DM neurology course after MBBS while AIIMS does not offer any direct DM neurology course after MBBS. So If you choose NIMHANS, you will not have to take an entrance exam for admission to DM after PG in general medicine. NIMHANS certainly gives a huge edge in this aspect.
- Practice: AIIMS has a huge patient load most of which is dealt with by senior citizens. So, you will not get much clinical exposure and will be entrusted with trivial tasks only. NIMHANS on the other hand is a national-level neuro institute where you will get to deal with all types of patients right from the first year.
- Location: AIIMS Delhi has a clear advantage over NIKHANS in terms of location.
So choose wisely!
Can somebody provide information regarding accommodation facility in and around NIMHANS Bangalore?
Let us assume that the question is framed for the accommodation for the patient's relatives, as it is not specified.
NIMHANS provides accommodation at subsidized tariff at 2 places within its hospital campus:
Infosys Foundation Dharmashala -
- Room Tariff: INR 400 per day.
- Deposit: INR 4000.
Lakshmi Mittal Rest Home -
- Room Tariff: INR 200 per day.
- Deposit: INR 2000 for ‘A’ Category.
- Room Tariff: INR 125 per day.
- Deposit: INR 1250 for ‘B’ Category.
Both the places take in people on a First-Come-First-Served basis.
How is the post-MBBS MCh Neurosurgery course in NIMHANS? Will you acquire a good skill set and have a good learning curve there?
NIMHANS is an excellent choice for those who are only interested in neurosurgery and are certain of pursuing a career in the same. However, you won’t be learning anything about general surgery. You’d do a craniotomy for EDH evacuation in a trice but will have a major problem putting your finger on an offending appendix.
Ultimately, if you are making this choice just because you want to pursue MCh directly, it’s better to reconsider your decision. 5-years is a long time to waste on something you aren’t sure of. So choose wisely after considering all options.
I am studying an MBBS in my third year. I want to study my postgraduation at NIMHANS. How should I prepare for the entrance exam? How different is NIMHANS exam compared to the other PG entrance exam?
After doing some research online, I gathered some information regarding your question. Let me mention these which you can later analyze and check if it is useful or not.
- It is an online MCQ-based Post Graduate entrance exam for direct MCh Neurosurgery, DM neurology, and MD Psychiatry courses.
- The exams are usually held in the last week of March.
- It is a 2-hour long exam and comprises 150 MCQ-based questions.
- 1 mark is given for every correct answer and ¼ mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.
- 90-100 questions generally come from the routine subjects studied during MBBS. These are similar to the ones asked in other entrance exams like AIIMS and JIPMER.
- 50-60 MCQs are related to Neurology sections of all other subjects like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, ophthalmology, medicine, surgery, psychiatry, radiology, and anesthesia.
For preparing Neurology you can take help from the following books:
- Harrison for Neurology
- Ganong for Neuro-Physiology
- Snell's Neuro-Anatomy
- Neuro-Biochemistry from Harper
- Neuro-Microbiology from Paniker
- Neuro-Pharmacology from KDT
- Neuro-Pathology from Robbins
Try solving the previous 4 to 5 years of any NIMHANS MCQ guide. Also, try to score 120-130, this will secure your place among the top rankers.
If an MBBS graduate is having an option of choosing between AIIMS NIMHANS MCh neurosurgery 6yr course then which institute is the best to opt to? What is the advantage of one over the other?
This is a choice that can vary from individual to individual. It is each student’s unique preference of certain things like location, curriculum, alumni, crowd, etc. that influence their choices.
One of my friends cleared both the entrance exams at the same time but opted for AIIMS over NIMHANS, due to its location. Being a North Indian he felt it would be easier to blend in rather than getting accustomed to a new culture, food or place.
Also, he mentioned that the Neurosurgery course will only provide an McH degree and no MS degree. This was also another concern for him and why he in the end went for AIIMS.
Therefore, you should think clearly and point out all the pros and cons of these institutions. Check which one is satisfying all your requirements and then go for it. Both AIIMS and NIMHANS are reputed institutions, graduating from any of them will prove to be great for your career. If you are North Indian go for AIIMS, if South Indian opt for NIMHANS.
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