Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) is an undergraduate-level 5.5-year degree that integrates the traditional system of Unani with the modern medical education. The course consists of 4.5 years of classroom teaching and a further 1-year mandatory internship, thereby making the candidates eligible for the practice of being Unani practitioners, research work, or teachers.
For the 2025 session, Indian BUMS admission takes place on the basis of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) rank, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates who want to take admission in BUMS courses need to clear NEET-UG to qualify for admission. Upon qualification, admissions are done through centralised counselling by the Ayush Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC) for All India Quota seats and the concerned state counselling authorities for state quota seats.
A few rounds of counselling, including mop-up rounds, are used to fill seats based on NEET scores, candidate preference, and availability of seats. Candidates need to remain current with official announcements made by AACCC and state counselling authorities to trace back timelines and guidelines.
Quick Summary of BUMS Admission
Let us take a summarize facts about BUMS Admission
| Component | Details |
| Entrance Exam | NEET UG (conducted by NTA) |
| Counselling Authorities | AACCC for 15% AIQ (Govt.) + 100% seats in Central/Deemed Universities; State bodies for 85% state-quota Govt. seats & all private seats |
| Registration | Online registration on AACCC portal or respective state counselling portal |
| Seat Types | 15% All-India Quota; 85% State Quota; 100% Central Univ.; 100% Deemed Univ.; 100% Private (state) |
| Counselling Rounds | Typically Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up; Stray Vacancy if seats remain |
| Fee Components | NEET application; counselling registration (varies by authority); security deposit (refundable); tuition & hostel fees |
| Seat Allotment Basis | NEET rank, category reservation, choices filled, seat availability |
| Types of Seats | Government, Government-Aided, Deemed University, Private |
| Reporting to College | Mandatory after allotment with documents and fee payment |
| Total No. Of BUMS Colleges | 56 Colleges |
| Total No. Of Government BUMS Colleges | 19 Colleges |
| Total No. Of Private BUMS Colleges | 37 Colleges |
Eligibility Criteria for BUMS Admission
To be eligible for admission into the BUMS course in India, candidates must fulfil the following criteria:
| Criteria | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Must have passed 10+2 (Class 12) or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English |
| Minimum Marks (General) | 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) |
| Minimum Marks (SC/ST/OBC) | 40% aggregate marks in PCB |
| Minimum Marks (PwBD) | 45% aggregate marks in PCB (for General PwBD category) |
| NEET Qualification | Must qualify NEET UG Exam conducted by NTA |
| Age Limit | Minimum 17 years as on 31st December of the admission year |
| Upper Age Limit | No upper age limit (subject to NTA/Ministry guidelines) |
| Nationality | Indian Nationals; NRIs/OCIs/PIOs eligible under specific quotas |
What are the Entrance Examinations for BUMS Admission?
Admission to all AYUSH undergraduate courses such as BUMS, now solely depends on the NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates), which is held every year by the National Testing Agency (NTA). There are no independent state-level or institution-specific entrance exams for Unani medicine, NEET UG is the only gateway. Only NEET-qualified candidates are allowed to register for AACCC (for AIQ, Central and Deemed seats) or state-level counselling (for state-quota and private seats).
Types of Seats and Reservation Policies for BUMS Admission
Admission to the BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine & Surgery) program is offered under several distinct seat categories, each governed by its own counselling authority and reservation rules:
15% All-India Quota (AIQ) Seats in Government Colleges
These seats are open to candidates from any state and filled through AACCC counselling. Within this 15% pool, reservations are government-mandated as follows: usually 15% of the AIQ seats are reserved for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC-NCL, 10% for EWS, and a horizontal reservation of 5% for PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability).
85% State Quota Seats in Government Colleges
Reserved for the candidates residing within the concerned state, these seats are filled through the state counselling authority. Reservation percentages mirror central norms—SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwBD—but some states grant additional benefits to local or rural candidates (e.g., “home university” preference or tribal area quotas).
100% Seats in Central Universities & National Institutes
Institutes like BHU and NIA fill all their Unani seats centrally via AACCC. Although these seats are technically “open” to all India, the same central reservation roster is used (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD).
100% Seats in Deemed Universities
Deemed-to-be universities conduct 100% of their BUMS admissions through AACCC. While fee structures tend to be higher, the reservation policy typically follows the central government’s mandate (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwBD).
100% Seats in Private (Unaided) BUMS Colleges
All seats in purely private Unani colleges are filled by the state counselling authority. Private colleges must adhere to state reservation norms even for management and NRI quotas with the same roster percentages for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwBD. Some states also cap management-quota seats (e.g., 15% of total intake).
What is the Admission Process for the BUMS Course?
Admission into the BUMS course follows a merit-based process. Below are the key steps:
Qualify NEET-UG
- All students must appear and qualify the NEET UG exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- Your NEET score and All-India Rank determine eligibility for subsequent counselling.
Verify Eligibility
- Academic: 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English.
- Marks: Minimum 50% aggregate in PCB for General category (40% for SC/ST/OBC; 45% for General-PwBD).
- Age: Must be at least 17 years old as of December 31 of the admission year.
Choose Counselling Authority
Central (AACCC):
- 15% All-India Quota seats in government colleges
- 100% seats in Central Universities and National Institutes
- 100% seats in Deemed Universities
State-Level:
- 85% State Quota seats in government colleges
- 100% seats in private (unaided) Unani colleges
Online Registration
AACCC Portal: Sign up for an account, upload NEET credentials, pay a non-refundable registration fee, and submit a refundable security deposit.
State Portal: Go to your state’s official counselling/admission website for online form filling.
Choice Filling & Locking
Choose your desired colleges and courses according to your preference.
Once options are set, they cannot be changed, so check thoroughly prior to the deadline.
Seat Allotment
Based on NEET rank, reservation category, and available seats, the system allocates seats in each round.
Results are published online; download the allotment letter immediately.
Document Verification & Fee Payment
Report to the designated verification centre or the allotted college with original documents (NEET scorecard, 10th/12th marksheets, ID and category/domicile certificates, etc.).
Pay first-year tuition and other fees where due to secure your seat.
Reporting to the College
Upon verification, officially join the college by filling in admission formalities and receiving the college joining report or admission order.
Subsequent Rounds & Upgradation
In case you want to improve your allotment, attend Round 2 or Mop-up Round by re-registering and re-locking options (if permitted).
A Stray Vacancy Round can be used to complete any unfilled seats.
BUMS Admission Process in Government Colleges
Admission to BUMS seats in government‐run Unani colleges follows a strictly merit-based, centralized procedure governed by NEET-UG performance and subsequent counseling. There are two streams:
All-India Quota (15% of seats)
- Eligibility & Exam
Every aspiring candidate must have qualified NEET-UG and fulfilled the basic academic requirements (10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology & English, as per category-wise minimum marks).
- Registration & Counselling
Candidates aiming for the 15% AIQ must register on the AACCC portal once NEET results are out. They pay the non-refundable registration fee (Rs.1,000 for UR/OBC/EWS, Rs.500 for SC/ST/PwBD) and the refundable security deposit (Rs.20,000).
- Choice Filling & Seat Allotment
Through the AACCC online system, applicants rank their preferred government Unani colleges. Seats are reserved in different rounds purely on the basis of NEET rank, reservation category, and availability.
- Verification & Joining
Candidates download their allotment letter after every round, appear at the verification center with originals of all documents necessary (NEET scorecard, 10th/12th certificates, category/domicile proofs, etc.), pay institutional dues, and confirm their seat.
State Quota (85% of seats)
- Eligibility & Exam
State-quota aspirants likewise need a valid NEET-UG score and must meet the state’s specified domicile and academic criteria.
- State-Level Registration
Each state has its own portal and schedule. Candidates register, pay whatever registration/security fees the state authority prescribes, and upload the necessary documents.
- Preference Entry & Allotment
On their state counseling website, the candidates select government Unani colleges in the order they are preferred. Seat allocation is based on NEET rank within the state, local rules of reservation (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD and any sub-quotas), and filled choices.
- Document Verification & Admission
On provisional allotment, the candidate has to go to the assigned help-center or the college itself to get their original documents verified, pay the first-year fee (which is usually nominal in government colleges), and complete the formality of admission.
What are the documents required for BUMS Admission?
For admission into the BUMS course in India, candidates are required to present a set of documents during the counseling and admission process. The following is a consolidated list of commonly required documents:
- NEET UG 2025 Admit Card.
- NEET UG 2025 Scorecard/Rank Letter.
- Class 10 (SSC) Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate.
- Class 12 (HSC) Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate.
- HSC Provisional Certificate issued by the school principal.
- Aadhaar Card (Photocopy).
- PAN Card (Photocopy).
- Nationality Certificate or Valid Passport endorsed with nationality.
- Domicile Certificate.
- School/College Leaving Certificate or Transfer Certificate.
- Migration Certificate, if applicable.
- Caste Certificate (State and/or Central, as required).
- Caste Validity Certificate.
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate for OBC/VJ/NT/SBC categories (valid up to March 31, 2025).
- EWS Certificate, if applicable.
- Recent passport-sized photographs (usually 8 copies).
- Online Application Form printout from the respective counseling authority (e.g., AACCC or state counseling portal).
- Selection/Allotment Letter from the competent authority.
FAQs: BUMS Admission Process
Q: What is BUMS?
A: BUMS is a 5½-year undergraduate degree (4½ years academics + 1 year internship) in Unani medicine, blending ancient Greco-Arabic practices with modern medical science.
Q: Is NEET UG required for BUMS admission?
A: Yes. Qualifying NEET UG 2025 is mandatory for all BUMS seats in government, private, central and deemed universities.
Q: What are the basic eligibility criteria for BUMS admission?
A: Completion of 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English, securing at least 50% in PCB (40% for reserved categories) and age ≥17 years by December 31, 2025.
Q: Who conducts BUMS counseling?
A: AACCC for 15% All-India Quota in government colleges, 100% of central university seats and 100% of deemed-university seats. State authorities for 85% state-quota government seats and all private (unaided) college seats.
Q: Can foreign nationals apply for BUMS Admission?
A: Yes. Foreigners/OCI/PIO candidates must hold a valid NEET score and obtain equivalence for their 10+2 qualification from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Q: Can NRI or management quota seats bypass NEET?
A: No. Even NRI, management, and institutional-quota seats require a valid NEET-UG score.
Q: What is the fee range for government colleges?
A: Annual tuition typically ranges from Rs.10,000 to Rs.50,000, plus nominal hostel and other charges.
Q: How are seats allotted?
A: Allocation is based on NEET rank, reservation category, choices filled, and seat availability in each round.
My name is Rajesh Mishra. For the past 18 years, I have been helping students get admission into the right colleges. I believe that even students with average or low ranks deserve admission in good colleges—without chasing agents, falling for false promises, or paying donations.
To share my experience and guidance with more students, I write blogs on NEET, Engineering, and AYUSH counselling.
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