NIMHANS conducts an online MCQ based entrance test for Mch/DM Neurology and MD Psychiatry. A common exam is held for all these courses, and later on, a separate merit list is published for each. You have to select your course while applying, and can’t change it later on. You can apply for all three courses or one/two of them. 

Here is some information on the entrance exam:

1. It is a one-hour test with 150 MCQs.
2. 1 mark is awarded for each correct answer, and ¼ mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
3. 90-100 questions are asked from 19 MBBS subjects. These questions are not related to CNS. With good preparation for other PGMEE, you can answer them.
4. Regular one-liner guidebook questions are asked.
5. 50-60 MCQs are directly/indirectly related to CNS. For these, read the neuro aspect of all major subjects- Anatomy, Physio, Medicine, Psychiatry, Surgery, Patho, Micro, Pharma, Radio, and Anaesthesia. These questions are solvable given that you prepare well in the last 10-15 days before the exam.

The entrance is overall easy. However, the number of seats is very low, so the margin of error for silly mistakes is very low. 

Read all subjects before the last 10 days. Then, focus on the Neurology part in the last 10 days. By following these tips, you’ll successfully crack the NIMHANS entrance test.

I’ll be sharing with you my opinion on both.

As a 6-year MCh candidate, you’ll rotate through 10 months of general surgery. However, general surgery skills aren’t of much use in Neurosurgery, except the very basic knot-tying and suturing skills. You can also acquire those from dedicated lab practice. The other techniques followed in Neurosurgery are very different from those followed in general surgery. 

Neurosurgeons generally use access surgeons (thoracic surgeons or urologists) to perform unconventional approaches to the spine. It is much safer for the patient. Also, opting for a 6-year course after MBBS means one less entrance exam.

So it isn’t very beneficial for you to take up 3 years of MS general surgery. I would recommend you choose the direct 6 year Mh Neurosurgery course at AIIMS or NIMHANS instead.

Well, it depends on your goals and priorities. BITS Pilani MS is a great option if you just want to improve your profile and maintain a good status in society. But if you are taking this program to uplift your career then you will be regretting it big.

My uncle who works for an MNC often is entrusted with the job of hiring freshers from well-Reuter colleges and claims that MS students aren’t given any special attention unless they are from IIT or NIT. 

The MS program offered by WIPRO is a scheme to mislead employees to believe that a useless degree is better than anything. They will use this degree as a lash on you to ensure you stay committed to the company and work at a discounted rate. It's better to not fall for such schemes and look at the bigger picture. Your salary will never increase if you stick to these companies.

So, if you are looking for some certifications, then go for some niche skills that are more valuable than a BITS Masters Degree.

Here is the routine of a Neurosurgery resident at NIMHANS.

The department is subdivided into 6 units, each of which is headed by an internationally acclaimed faculty member. The day of a resident starts at around 6 AM with a routine assessment of patients in all the wards under one’s respective unit for the month. 

This is followed by academics which start at 8 AM. It runs for 1-1 ½ hours. During this time, the cases posted for surgery are presented by senior residents. These are then discussed among faculty members and residents to reach a decision for the optimal treatment of that case.

After this, the senior residents head to the OT complex, and junior residents present rounds to the faculty. Decisions on further treatment/discharge are made during the rounds.

Junior residents then perform ward procedures like External Ventricular Drain Insertion, Lumbar drains, Lumbar Punctures, Shunt Taps, Fontanelle Tap, Tracheostomies, etc. under supervision. This is followed by evening rounds by the faculty/ senior residents. After these, any leftover work is completed. The evening ends with a post-op call to the respective consultant, and the duty ends at 9 PM when the night duty resident takes over. 

The OPD for a particular unit is held on a fixed day. It is also a casualty call day for the unit. Life as a neurosurgery resident is so busy that even having meals is like a luxury. 

NIMHANS will train you to practice evidence-based medicine and keep updated with all the recent developments in your field. It is one of the best places in India to practice Neurosurgery residency.