Inspiring Job: How to Become a Veterinary Doctor in India

By Pankhuri Kumar

Veterinarians are the best doctors in the world. They can’t ask their patients what the matter is. They just have to know. 

A “vet”, short for veterinarian, is a qualified medical practitioner who has the ability to diagnose, treat and cure the diverse types of diseases in birds and animals.

What do vets actually do?

A veterinarian’s job includes not only taking care of animal health, but also scientific breeding and handling of livestock. Besides giving medicinal and oral treatment, administrating vaccinations and giving advice on care of pets and farm animals, vets also perform surgery. The job profile of a vet also includes animal husbandry and research on animals in order to control the spread of diseases transmitted through animals. A vet may also work in the fields of wildlife conservation, poultry management and health care, livestock insurance and rural development. In a broader sense, a veterinary doctor has a major role in the conservation of livestock and domestic animal wealth.

                   There are many different aspects to the job of a vet (Photo by Indian Express)

How to become a veterinary doctor in India? 

To become a veterinarian, one should possess any of the following degrees:

• Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science
• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS)
• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine or Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry

In order to be eligible for joining any of the above given courses, the aspiring candidates should have passed their 10 + 2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) as main subjects with at least 60% marks.

Admission is on the basis of entrance tests conducted by the concerned universities. The Veterinary Council of India conducts an ‘All India Common Entrance examination’ for admission to the first year usually held in the month of May each year.

One popular book that you can consult for the All India PVT (Pre Veterinary Test) is the highly rated ‘Self Study Guide for PVT’ by Arihant Experts.

For admission to Master’s degree programmes, an All India Entrance Examination is conducted by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). After getting Bachelors degree one can go for post graduation, namely a Masters in Veterinary Science which is a 2 year course. Once you complete any of these courses, you have to undergo a three months internship, usually at the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Service Complex (TVCSC). Besides this, you have to finish a  one-month practical training in livestock production and management, poultry production and management and in livestock products’ technology etc. Apart from learning to treat animals, training is also provided in dairying and poultry sciences.

Top Colleges to become a Veterinary Doctor in India

• Indian Veterinary Research Institute – [IVRI], Bareilly
• National Dairy Research Institute – [NDRI], Karnal
• College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences – [CVAS], Bikaner
• Banaras Hindu University – [BHU], Varanasi

Career Prospects and Job Opportunities for Vets in India

There is very wide scope for veterinarians in the near future. Latest statistics have shown that keeping pets is becoming a fashion now. Therefore, the demand for private veterinary clinics is on the rise in both small towns as well as metropolitan cities. Increased demand for vets has led to a sharp increase in their salary. As per the data provided by the website, Payscale, the present scenario the average salary for a Veterinarian is Rs 520,294 per year.
There is a lot of money in private practice as well and it only gets better for candidates as they win the trust of the animals owners.

Apart from book learning, there are certain qualities that a good vet must have

One should have genuine love and compassion for animals. As animals cannot speak,  a good vet must read the signs from the animal’s behaviour and diagnose the ailment. Vets must also be able to handle emergencies and work in physically disagreeable conditions, or in rural areas where working hours may be long and irregular. Working with large animals requires physical stamina and quick body reflexes to tackle the animal’s moody behaviour and thus vets should be able to instinctively gauge the animal’s condition.

A vet should have the ability to put the animals at ease, to do teamwork, have powers of observation and self- reliance. S/he should be adaptable, sensitive and patient.

To become a veterinary doctor in India requires a lot of hard work, dedication and spirit to serve the animal kingdom. A little carelessness on your part can take a precious life.

If you are able to do all the required study and have the essential qualities, you are all set to take up this profession. This is one of the most satisfying jobs & it requires a whole new level of compassion. It is a job full of responsibility but the feeling of being around animals and serving them is one of a kind.

Editor’s Note: If you’re facing difficulties in choosing your career path, we are happy to help you out. Do write to us at editorial@indspireme.in 🙂

About the Author

Pankhuri Kumar is a student of Economics (Honours) at Hindu College, University of Delhi. Pankhuri is a big believer in the power of positivity and plans to do her MBA in the future.  In her free time, she can be found checking out new places to eat and shop at.