Career in Cardiology Course in India: Cardiology is one of the most sought-after and highly respected specialties in the medical field. As heart-related diseases continue to rise in India, the demand for skilled cardiologists is growing rapidly. A career in cardiology not only offers immense prestige and financial stability but also gives professionals a chance to make a life-saving impact.
In this blog, we will explore the complete pathway to building a successful career in cardiology in India, from course details and eligibility to top colleges and salary prospects.
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What is Cardiology?
Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to the heart and blood vessels. Cardiologists are trained to manage conditions like coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
Who is a Cardiologist?
Cardiologists are doctors who are trained to treat diseases, disorders, and injuries related to the heart and the blood vessels surrounding it. The cardiologist must help their patients keep their hearts healthy and functioning. Sometimes cardiologists have to give people the necessary education about what they should eat to keep their hearts away from diseases.
A Career in Cardiology has lots of sub-disciplines within it and job descriptions of a Cardiologist may change as the discipline varies.
Noninvasive Cardiologist | Such Cardiologists are not permitted to conduct surgeries and they are only supposed to treat the disease by some other means. |
Cardiovascular Surgeons | They conduct operations on the heart, vessels, and arteries. |
Interventional Cardiologist | They perform invasive tests and procedures to diagnose the disease |
Invasive non-interventional Cardiologist | They conduct cardiac catheterizations by placing a tube inside a blood vessel to take a picture of the portion where an operation is to be done |
Nuclear Cardiology | With the help of nuclear imaging techniques to study and diagnose heart diseases |
Various Cardiology Courses in India
To work as a Cardiologist or to make a career in Cardiology, one can earn a degree in following a Cardiology course.
Types of Cardiology Courses in India
Course Type | Name | Duration |
UG Course | MBBS | 5.5 years |
PG Course | MD General Medicine / Pediatrics | 3 years |
Super-Specialty | DM Cardiology | 3 years |
Fellowship | Fellowship in Non-Invasive/Interventional Cardiology | 1–2 years |
Eligibility Roadmap to Become a Cardiologist in India
Level | Eligibility |
Undergraduate (UG) | You must complete MBBS, which requires qualifying NEET-UG. The course duration is 5.5 years including a 1-year internship. |
Postgraduate (PG) | After MBBS, you must pursue MD in General Medicine or Pediatrics by qualifying NEET-PG. This course takes 3 years to complete. |
Super Specialization | The final step is to pursue DM or DNB in Cardiology, which requires NEET-SS qualification and is a 3-year program. |
Admission Process (Table in Sentence Form)
Courses | Admission Process |
MBBS (UG) | Admission in MBBS, you must qualify NEET-UG and participate in AIQ or State Quota counselling. |
MD (PG) | For PG courses like MD in Medicine or Pediatrics, qualify NEET-PG and take part in AIQ/State counselling. |
DM (Cardiology) | To pursue DM Cardiology, qualify NEET-SS and apply through MCC/NBE super-specialty counselling. |
Top Colleges in India for Career in Cardiology
Some of the best MD/MS colleges in India offering Careers in Cardiology:
Top Colleges for Cardiology in India
College Name | Location | Course Offered |
AIIMS Delhi | New Delhi | DM Cardiology |
PGIMER Chandigarh | Chandigarh | DM Cardiology |
Christian Medical College | Vellore | DM Cardiology |
JIPMER Puducherry | Puducherry | DM Cardiology |
KEM Hospital | Mumbai | DM Cardiology |
SCTIMST | Trivandrum | DM Cardiology |
Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) | Pune | DM Cardiology |
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences | Kochi | DM Cardiology |
Jobs Opportunities for Cardiologists
A Cardiologist can do single practice or group practice at their convenience after a degree in Cardiology is obtained. Most skilled and experienced Cardiologists may get a chance to work for the military or other such armed forces. Some may go for research and patient care duties in hospitals and organizations.
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Those who are passionate about teaching can also find teaching positions in the cardiology department in colleges and universities. There are many job opportunities for cardiologists in both the government and private sectors. Due to the constant increase in heart-related diseases, cardiologists find it easy to get a job. Most doctors start their career by working in a hospital on a weekly, monthly or daily basis and eventually open their healthcare clinic after gaining enough experience.
Roles of a Cardiologist
Some important Cardiologist roles are listed below:
- Give education to patients about diet, exercise and other things to have a healthy heart
- Meet patients and try to find out and analyze their medical histories
- Determine the cause and nature of the disease and proceed to conduct tests, examinations, and surgeries based on that.
- Try to mingle with patients and make them feel comfortable in emergencies
- Try to improve your knowledge and be aware of the latest diseases and treatments
Skills of a Cardiologist
- Calm in stressful situations and able to make effective decisions
- Attention to detail
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced and pressurised environment
- Problem-solving with diagnostic and analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Confident in your skills, knowledge and ability
- Time management skills
- Flexibility and adaptability
Average Salary
The salary of cardiologists depends upon several factors that include experience, subspecialty, location, ability and the type of hospital you are working for. The salary in a government hospital is different from that of a private one.
Particulars | Average Salary (Expected) |
Private Sector | Rs. 1 Lac (Monthly) |
Reputed Cardiology Surgeon | Rs. 1.5 Lac (Monthly) |
US Specialties | $461,000 Lac (Monthly) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the eligibility criteria for cardiology courses in India?
You must complete MBBS (5.5 years) and MD/MS in General Medicine or Pediatrics (3 years) before applying for a DM or DNB in Cardiology.
What is the duration of a cardiology specialization course?
The DM/DNB in Cardiology typically takes 3 years after completing an MD/MS degree.
How much does it cost to pursue cardiology in India?
The fees range from ₹10-40 lakhs in private colleges, while government colleges charge much less, around ₹1-3 lakhs for the entire course.
What is the average salary of a cardiologist in India?
A fresh cardiologist can earn ₹10–18 LPA, and with experience, it can go beyond ₹30–50 LPA depending on the hospital and location.
What career opportunities are available after a cardiology degree?
You can work as an Interventional Cardiologist, Non-invasive Cardiologist, Cardiac Surgeon, Researcher, or Lecturer in top hospitals, heart institutes, and medical colleges.