Career in Pathology Course in India: Pathology is defined as the science of abnormalities in the body. Accordingly, the three important types of pathology are clinical pathology, anatomic pathology, and forensic pathology. Clinical pathology includes bone marrow biopsies and peripheral smears. Anatomic pathology focuses on tissue development as a sample taken in surgery. Forensic pathology is aimed at medico-legal autopsies and investigating the causes of deaths that occur outside the hospital.
In fact, pathology is one of the most interesting and stimulating careers at the same time. The following article will give you a brief idea about careers in pathology in India. Every aspect related to pathology will be discussed in this article. Read in-depth information about various pathology jobs available after doing pathology course in India.
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What is Pathology?
Pathology is a medical discipline that deals with the study of the causes and effects of various diseases. Also, a person trained in pathology is called a pathologist. Pathologists examine body fluids and tissues to study the cause and behavior of a disease in order to diagnose it completely. When a person or a living organism is affected by a disease, it may lead to certain functional and structural changes in the body.
The study of such changes in the body can be called pathology. Pathology is a broad field that can be further classified into several branches. Neuropathology, hematopathology, cytopathology, renal pathology and dermatopathology are some of the popular ones among them.
Various Pathology Courses in India
To work as a pathologist or pursue a career in pathology, one can pursue a degree in the following pathology courses:
| Course Name | Eligibility Criteria | Duration |
| Master of Science in Medical Technology (M.Sc. Med.Tech.) in Pathology | Graduation | 2 Years |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pathology | Post Graduation | 3 Years |
| Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in Pathology | MBBS | 2 Years |
| Certificate Courses in Pathology | Graduation | 1 Year |
Admission Procedure
- The candidates must complete 10+2 to opt for UG courses in pathology.
- The aspirants who wish to apply for diploma or MD courses in pathology need to complete the MBBS program. The admission to MBBS will be via NEET UG.
Eligibility Criteria
The following are the eligibility criteria for the Pathology course:
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Qualification | 10+2 with science stream for UG courses in pathology |
| Qualifying Degree | To become a Pathologist, one needs to graduate with an MBBS degree and then pursue Diploma or MD in Pathology. |
Top Colleges in India for Pathology
Many colleges in India offer Pathology courses. Some of the best Pathology colleges in India offering careers in Pathology are as follows:
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Maulana Azad Medical College | Delhi |
| Lady Hardinge Medical College | Vellore |
| Christian Medical College | Tamil Nadu |
| University College of Medical Sciences | New Delhi |
| Pariyaram Medical College | Kannur |
| Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences | Jharkhand |
Job Opportunities of Pathology Course
As the population grows around the world, healthcare needs also increase. With a huge increase in sensitive diseases like cancer, the demand for pathologists is very high. After obtaining a degree in pathology, pathologists can do solo practice or group practice as per their convenience. Those who are interested in teaching can also find teaching departments in colleges and universities by studying pathology.
Many private and government hospitals provide job opportunities for pathologists. A pathologist can work as a pathologist supervisor or research partner in healthcare or medical clinics. Being a pathologist, since the chances of emergencies are very less, their life will be somewhat stress-free compared to other physicians.
Job Profile
| Job Profile | Description |
|---|---|
| Medical Examiner | Medical Examiners are responsible for performing autopsies and external examinations in hospitals and medicals. They examine the causes of death of a person. They have to complete the procedures after the death of a person, like, compiling a death certificate and all findings and then making a report on this. |
| Mortuary Attendant | Mortuary Attendants are related to the process of the post-mortem examination of a dead person. They have to assist the forensic pathologist to do an examination of the body, and other than that maintain mortuary rooms and equipment. |
| Cytotechnologist | Cytotechnologists have to work with the pathologist to evaluate patients’ cell samples in order to notice subtle changes to detect infectious conditions. |
| Medical Lab Technician | Medical lab technicians work in a lab to test, examine and analyse collected samples. They have to do tests on body fluids and tissue to assist the physicians. And on the basis of this, physicians diagnose and treat the diseases of patients. |
Roles of a Pathologist
- Record data from autopsies, laboratory results and investigation reports
- Manage medical laboratories
- Analyse various methods to cure a disease after the disease has been studied thoroughly
- Develop new tools and instruments for the proper diagnosis of a disease
- Participate in conferences, group talks, seminars etc to gain knowledge
- Educate laboratory technicians, students and staff about the latest medical technologies
Skills of a Pathologist
- excellent knowledge of the scientific processes behind changes in the body’s cells and tissue, which can cause disease
- Problem-solving Skills
- Clinical decision-making skills
- Organisational skills
- Time management
- scientific curiosity and an analytical, enquiring mind
- Leadership quality.
Average Salary
Many private and government hospitals offer high paying jobs to pathologists. As a fresher and new person in this field, your starting salary can be around 10k to 15k. But as you grow and learn to do things properly, you can start your pathology lab. After gaining experience, the salary increases, and it can go up to Rs 50,000 per month in very few years.
Join NEET PG News 2025 | Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Examiner | INR 17 LPA |
| Mortuary Attendant | INR 3.62 LPA |
| Cytotechnologist | INR 5.26 LPA |
| Medical Lab Technician | INR 2.42 LPA |
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I have done msc mlt and want to do phd in pathology…. what are the scope in future? Can i become pathologist ?can i open my own lab after phd? And can i work as pathologist in any hospital? Pls guide….
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