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

For the B.V.Sc. & A.H. degree at RAJUVAS and its constituent colleges, admission is through NEET UG, so NEET is the standard route. Some 2026 news reports mention veterinary courses after Class 12 without NEET at certain government colleges, but the details were not confirmed here, so check each college's notice before applying.

You need to pass each of English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with at least 50% in the aggregate of these four subjects. Candidates from SC and ST categories need 40%. You must also be at least 17 years old by 31 December of the year you join the first year, and you need to qualify in NEET UG, because seats are filled on NEET merit.

The course typically runs for around five and a half years, which includes a one-year internship. Check the exact duration and internship structure in the college prospectus or admission notification, as the details can vary between universities.

Entry-level veterinary surgeons typically earn in the range of ₹3 to ₹5 lakh a year, and pay rises with experience and specialisation. Pay varies between government posts, private clinics and corporate farm or pharma roles, and government pay follows state scales. These are indicative figures, so check current pay scales and recent salary surveys before deciding.

The regular fee is set in the annual admission notification, which usually appears in March. Beyond the regular fee, RAJUVAS payment seats cost an extra ₹3 lakh a year, and NRI seats cost $10,000 a year plus hostel fees. Private veterinary colleges set their own fee structures, so compare before you apply.

Yes. State governments recruit veterinary surgeons and other veterinary staff through public service commissions and recruitment boards. For example, the Odisha Public Service Commission announced 502 vacancies in veterinary, fisheries and horticulture in July 2026. Eligibility, age limits and exam pattern differ by state, so read the notification for your state.

No. Many work with livestock such as cattle, buffaloes, goats, pigs and poultry, helping farmers with herd health, breeding and disease control. Others work in zoos and wildlife care, government animal health services, veterinary research, teaching and animal health companies.

After graduation, you need to confirm the registration required to practise, as this is handled through state veterinary councils and the wider veterinary council framework. The Veterinary Council of India is a statutory body set up under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984, and it oversees veterinary education. Check with your state council for the current process.