Career as a Plastic Surgeon in India: Salary, Courses and How to Begin

Updated 11 Nov 2026

At a glance

A plastic surgeon repairs, reconstructs and reshapes body parts, from burns and cleft lip to cosmetic procedures; in India it takes an MBBS, a surgery postgraduate degree and an MCh.

A plastic surgeon is a medical specialist who repairs, reconstructs and reshapes the body, from burns, injuries and birth conditions such as cleft lip to cosmetic procedures that change appearance. In India the route is an MBBS, a surgery postgraduate degree (MS or DNB General Surgery) and a three-year MCh in Plastic Surgery.

Entry at each stage depends on national exams: NEET-UG for MBBS, NEET-PG for postgraduate degrees and NEET-SS for super-specialities such as MCh. Students who want this path usually plan from Class 11 or 12, and should expect roughly 11 to 12 years of study after Class 12.

This page covers the work, the qualifications and exams needed, colleges to look at, indicative salary ranges and the trade-offs. Exam dates, eligibility percentages and salary figures should be checked against the latest official notices before you act on them.

Minimum Qualification: Class 12 PCB + NEET-UG for MBBS
Typical Degree: MBBS, then MS/DNB Surgery and MCh
Expected Entry Salary: Around ₹10 - ₹20 Lakh/annum
Entry-level to Senior: Around ₹10 L rising to ₹60 L+ a year
Job Demand Growth: Steady; demand rising for reconstructive care
Work Hours: Long and irregular; surgeries and on-call duty
Places of Work: Hospitals, clinics, medical colleges, trauma centres

What Does a Plastic Surgeon Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Assess patients before surgery, review medical history, imaging and photographs, and explain options, risks and recovery honestly
Plan and perform reconstructive procedures such as skin grafts, flaps, and repair after burns, injuries or cancer surgery
Perform aesthetic procedures such as rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty or body contouring where clinically appropriate
Treat congenital conditions such as cleft lip and palate, often working with paediatric, ENT and dental teams
Manage post-operative care, wound healing, dressings and complications, and review patients at follow-up
Take informed consent, keep detailed records and follow medical council rules on advertising and patient conduct
Train residents and junior doctors, and in academic posts, take part in teaching and research

Where They Work

Plastic surgeons in India work mainly in government medical colleges and tertiary hospitals, where burns, trauma and cleft care are common, and in large private hospitals with dedicated plastic surgery departments.

Many also run private clinics for aesthetic and elective work, or join multi-specialty hospitals. Some combine hospital duties with teaching in a medical college, and a few work in military hospitals or in research roles.

How to Become a Plastic Surgeon in India?

After Class 10

Choose the Science stream in Class 11 and 12. Build a strong base in biology, physics and chemistry, and read about medicine and surgery to test your interest.

After Class 12

Clear NEET-UG with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, then secure an MBBS seat through central or state counselling in an NMC-recognised college.

Undergraduate

Complete the MBBS (about 4.5 years of study) and the one-year compulsory rotating internship. Use early postings in surgery, wards and operation theatres to test your interest.

Postgraduate

Clear NEET-PG and join an MS or DNB programme in General Surgery, typically three years. This surgical base is required before plastic surgery training.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

Clear NEET-SS for an MCh in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, typically three years. Training covers burns, cleft and craniofacial care, hand and microsurgery, and aesthetic work.

Licence / Certification and First Job

Register to practise with the State Medical Council or as required by current NMC rules, then take up a junior consultant, faculty or fellowship post. Fellowships in microsurgery or aesthetic surgery are common but optional.

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

Class 12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) is required for MBBS.
NEET-UG qualification is required for MBBS admission; the exam is conducted by NTA.
For MCh, you need an MS or DNB in General Surgery (or an approved equivalent) before you appear for NEET-SS.
Typical minimum marks for NEET-UG are around 50% in PCB for the General category, with relaxation for reserved categories; check the current NTA and NMC rules.

Minimum Qualification

MBBS from an NMC-recognised college, with the internship completed.
Registration with a State Medical Council or the National Medical Register to practise medicine in India.
MS or DNB General Surgery, then MCh Plastic Surgery, for consultant-level plastic surgery roles in India.

Courses and Degrees for Plastic Surgeon

Undergraduate Degrees	Postgraduate Degrees	Super-specialisation	Fellowships & Certifications
MBBS (about 4.5 years of study plus 1 year compulsory internship) BDS (4 years plus 1 year internship); a related route into oral and maxillofacial surgery, not the same as plastic surgery	MS General Surgery (3 years) DNB General Surgery (3 years, National Board of Examinations)	MCh Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (3 years) DNB Plastic Surgery (3 years, after DNB General Surgery; check current availability)	Fellowship in Microsurgery (duration varies by institute, often 6 to 12 months) Fellowship in Aesthetic Surgery (duration varies by institute) Burns Care or Wound Management short courses (duration varies)

Undergraduate Degrees
- MBBS (about 4.5 years of study plus 1 year compulsory internship)
- BDS (4 years plus 1 year internship); a related route into oral and maxillofacial surgery, not the same as plastic surgery
Postgraduate Degrees
- MS General Surgery (3 years)
- DNB General Surgery (3 years, National Board of Examinations)
Super-specialisation
- MCh Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (3 years)
- DNB Plastic Surgery (3 years, after DNB General Surgery; check current availability)
Fellowships & Certifications
- Fellowship in Microsurgery (duration varies by institute, often 6 to 12 months)
- Fellowship in Aesthetic Surgery (duration varies by institute)
- Burns Care or Wound Management short courses (duration varies)

Entrance Exams for Plastic Surgeon

Exam	Level	Held	For Course
NEET-UG	Undergraduate, national	Once a year	MBBS and BDS
NEET-PG	Postgraduate, national	Typically once a year	MD, MS and DNB postgraduate courses, including General Surgery
NEET-SS	Super-speciality, national	Check the latest NBE notice for the current schedule	MCh, DM and other super-speciality courses, including Plastic Surgery

Exam
NEET-UG
Level
Undergraduate, national
Held
Once a year
For Course
MBBS and BDS
Exam
NEET-PG
Level
Postgraduate, national
Held
Typically once a year
For Course
MD, MS and DNB postgraduate courses, including General Surgery
Exam
NEET-SS
Level
Super-speciality, national
Held
Check the latest NBE notice for the current schedule
For Course
MCh, DM and other super-speciality courses, including Plastic Surgery

Top Colleges for Plastic Surgeon

Government Institutes

College	Location
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi	New Delhi, Delhi
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)	Chandigarh
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER)	Puducherry
Madras Medical College	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS)	Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

College
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
Location
New Delhi, Delhi
College
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)
Location
Chandigarh
College
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER)
Location
Puducherry
College
Madras Medical College
Location
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
College
Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital
Location
Mumbai, Maharashtra
College
Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS)
Location
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Private Institutes

College	Location
Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore	Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal	Manipal, Karnataka
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences	Kochi, Kerala

College
Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
Location
Vellore, Tamil Nadu
College
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
Location
Manipal, Karnataka
College
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences
Location
Kochi, Kerala

Skills Required to Become a Plastic Surgeon

Technical Skills

Surgical anatomy knowledge of skin, muscle, nerve and blood supply
Microsurgery and fine suturing
Reconstructive techniques such as flaps and skin grafts
Aesthetic surgical techniques and surgical planning
Burn and wound management
Interpreting clinical imaging and photographs for planning
Post-operative care and complication management

Soft Skills

Clear communication with patients and families
Empathy and sensitivity around appearance and identity
Steady hands and sustained concentration
Decision-making under pressure
Teamwork with anaesthetists, nurses and other specialists
Ethical judgement, including managing unrealistic expectations

Plastic Surgeon Salary in India

0 to 3 years after MCh

Entry Level

₹10 - ₹20 Lakh/annum

Typical job titles: Junior Consultant, Assistant Professor, Fellow
Work: assisting senior surgeons, managing ward cases, dressings and minor procedures while building surgical experience

4 to 10 years

Mid Level

₹25 - ₹60 Lakh/annum

Typical job titles: Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Associate Professor, Unit Head
Work: leading surgeries independently, building a patient base and teaching residents

10+ years

Senior Level

₹60 Lakh+/annum (varies widely)

Typical job titles: Senior Consultant, Professor and Head of Department, owner of a private surgical practice
Work: complex reconstruction, leadership, training and research; private practice earnings can be well above salaried roles

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Leads reconstructive and aesthetic surgery in a hospital or clinic, managing patients from consultation to recovery.

Burns and Trauma Surgeon

Treats burns, injuries and wounds in government and trauma hospitals, including skin grafting and limb reconstruction.

Cleft and Craniofacial Surgeon

Corrects cleft lip and palate and other facial and skull conditions, often in long-term care with other specialists.

Microsurgeon

Performs fine surgery to reattach or reconstruct hands, fingers and limbs, using operating microscopes.

Aesthetic Surgeon

Works in private practice on cosmetic procedures, with a strong focus on safety, consent and realistic outcomes.

Faculty in Plastic Surgery

Teaches and trains MBBS and postgraduate students in a medical college, and may lead research and clinical trials.

Scope and Future of Plastic Surgeon in India

Demand for plastic surgery in India comes from several directions: trauma and burns care, reconstruction after cancer surgery, congenital conditions such as cleft lip and palate, and a growing cosmetic market in cities. Public hospitals rely on plastic surgeons for burns and trauma wards, while private hospitals and clinics serve elective and aesthetic patients.

Growth areas include microsurgery for hand and limb injuries, breast reconstruction after cancer, craniofacial care, and minimally invasive aesthetic treatments. Advances in surgical technology and imaging are changing how surgeons plan operations, which rewards doctors who keep learning throughout their career.

MCh seats are limited compared with the number of MBBS graduates, so entry to this specialty is competitive. Some Indian surgeons work abroad after clearing that country's licensing exams and registration rules, which vary by country. Surgeons must also follow medical council guidelines on advertising and patient consent, particularly in aesthetic work.

Is Plastic Surgeon
the Right Career for You?

Plastic Surgeon can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?

Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

See how well this career fits you

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Plastic Surgeon: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a plastic surgeon directly after MBBS?

No. After MBBS you need a postgraduate surgery degree such as MS or DNB General Surgery, which is entered through NEET-PG. You then need an MCh in Plastic Surgery, entered through NEET-SS, to practise as a plastic surgeon at consultant level. Plan for these stages as separate exams and separate years of training.

How many years does it take to become a plastic surgeon in India?

As a rough guide, MBBS takes about 5.5 years including the compulsory internship, MS or DNB General Surgery takes about 3 years, and MCh takes about 3 years. That adds up to around 11.5 years after Class 12, plus time for exam preparation and any gap between courses. Timelines can vary by college and course rules.

Is NEET-UG enough to get into a plastic surgery course?

NEET-UG gets you into MBBS, not into plastic surgery. Plastic surgery entry comes after several further stages: NEET-PG for a General Surgery postgraduate seat, then NEET-SS for an MCh seat. Strong performance at each stage matters, because seats at the later levels are limited.

What is the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery?

Plastic surgery is a broad specialty that includes reconstructive surgery, such as repairing burns, injuries and birth conditions, and aesthetic surgery, which changes appearance for cosmetic reasons. Most plastic surgeons train in both, but many focus their practice on one area. Reconstructive work is usually done in hospitals, while aesthetic work is often done in clinics.

How much does a plastic surgeon earn in India?

Earnings vary widely by experience, setting and whether the surgeon works in government service, a hospital or a private practice. As a rough guide, entry-level salaried roles are often in the range of ₹10 to ₹20 lakh a year, while senior surgeons and private practitioners can earn much more. Check current salary surveys before making decisions.

How competitive is it to get an MCh in Plastic Surgery?

It is highly competitive. MCh seats are limited across India, and entry depends on your NEET-SS rank, your General Surgery background and your choice of college. Many candidates prepare for more than one attempt, so plan a backup route, such as general surgery practice or another specialty, from the start.

Do I need Biology in Class 12 to become a plastic surgeon?

Yes. Biology is required for the NEET-UG route into MBBS, so you need Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Class 12. Strong biology knowledge also helps later in anatomy-heavy surgical training. Students from other streams can take a different path, but the medical route requires PCB.