Alternative medicine especially ‘Ayurveda’ is gaining popularity with every passing day. After establishing itself as a way of medicine, Ayurveda is gaining global acceptance. With WHO also authorizing the research and application of Ayurvedic products and Yoga incorporated in fitness regime and education, the market share of this alternative branch of medicine is expanding like never before!
With the high increase in stress and lifestyle-related diseases like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, etc., Ayurveda is becoming a household name. BAMS and BNYS graduates are experiencing a new high in their demand. Pandemic times have also contributed very positively to the growth of this sector because when people could not move out of their houses, they took refuge in Ayurveda for their health problems.
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) and Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences (BNYS) are two degrees amongst others available to practice legally in this field. Both the degrees require an applicant to pass 10+2 with mandatory subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English. One needs to score a minimum of 50% in all these science subjects put together.
Both BAMS and BNYS have a duration of 5 years and 6 months to complete the education and obtain the degree bypassing the respective exams.
BAMS vs BNYS- General Understanding & differences
BAMS and BNYS both degrees fall under the AYUSH. Though both these degrees have Ayurveda in their roots, they both have some important differences.
| BAMS | BNYS |
| This stands for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery | This stands for Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences |
| Admission is mostly available based on the NEET score. | Direct admission is available in most universities and institutions. |
| This involves treatments through ayurvedic medicine and different procedures. | This is mainly providing treatment through lifestyle changes and yogic exercises. |
| This claims to cure even chronic diseases and provides a remedy in case of emergency. | This is able to cure chronic diseases with the help of Ayurveda and is not recommended in cases of the emergency requirement of treatment. |
| This has the ability to provide quick relief. | This requires a time span to provide relief. |
| This is somewhat like a conventional medicine system providing drugs and procedures to heal or cure the disease. | It is a drugless, non-invasive, evidence-based system of medicine based on the theory of self-healing. |
| This includes yoga as a part. | This relies on yoga and meditation in a huge way. Flexible body and breathing exercises are an important part of this system. |
| Requires good knowledge of herbs, observation skills, and the ability to diagnose problems. | Requires patience, observation, diagnosis, counseling ability, and concentration skills. |
BAMS vs BNYS- Careers
Though both the qualifications are providing inner strength and cure from diseases by following principles of Ayurveda by balancing the Vata, Pita, and Kapha, the careers available after both these qualifications are not the same. There is no dearth of opportunities in India and even abroad for qualified doctors having these degrees. Apart from the listed careers, these doctors can even have a flourishing private practice. Many corporate houses and spas are also hiring these doctors to provide better health alternatives to their employees and customers respectively.
BAMS graduates are hired by many ayurvedic drugs manufacturing companies. This opportunity is not there for the BNYS graduates.
Some of the well-known careers for both the degrees are as follows:
| Careers after BAMS | Careers after BNYS |
| Lecturer | Naturopathic Physician / Consultant |
| Scientist | Medical Researcher / Scientist |
| Therapist | Holistic Physician in Medi-Spas / Cruise ships |
| Ayurvedic doctor | Academician In Naturopathic Medical Institutions |
| Medical representative | Yoga Consultant / Therapist |
| Assistant claim manager health | Corporate / Wellness Consultant |
Top Recruiters:
BAMS graduates are able to get jobs in the private sector more easily as compared to BNYS graduates. Patanjali Ayurveda Limited, Dabur, The Himalaya Drug Company, Baidyanath, and Zandu Pharmaceuticals Works are some big names hiring BAMS doctors.
Whereas BNYS is more in demand within government organizations like the Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy, Morarji Desai National Institute in Yoga and the National Institute of Naturopathy. Jindal Natural and Yoga care center in Bangalore is one of the largest private institutes hiring BNYS graduates.
BAMS vs BNYS- Earnings or Salaries
Ayurvedic doctors are able to get a stipend ranging from INR 40 – 50 thousand in some of the good universities. There are paid internships available in ayurvedic clinics and hospitals. Once the qualified doctors get into the market, they are able to earn anything between INR 20,000 to INR 80,000 per month depending on the city, place, and work of placement.
Whereas a BNYS qualified doctor is able to get starting salary somewhere between INR 30-50 thousand per month. These doctors are able to get jobs in hospitals, gyms, spas, and even some luxury hotels.
With the onset of the AYUSH ministry, there are several government job opportunities for these doctors practicing alternative medicine.
BAMS or BNYS: Which is better?
It is always a difficult question to answer – Which particular degree or area of alternative medicine is better.
Truly speaking, from the monetary perspective BAMS has a wider scope. A qualified doctor is able to prescribe medicines and conduct procedures that provide relief and cure from chronic diseases. Consuming medicines sounds easy as compared to making lifestyle changes and attaining slow results.
On the other hand, BNYS is purely providing therapy through food, lifestyle changes, and yogic exercises with natural herbs and organic products being used for the treatment. The only argument against it is the slow recovery rate as compared to BAMS.
Dieticians with a BNYS degree are able to help millions of people with food and lifestyle changes without a single side effect.
The arguments hold validity in their own streams and it is very difficult to vote for one. Now both the degrees are recognized by the Ministry of AYUSH, providing equal government-supported opportunities also. Still, BAMS definitely has a scope with ayurvedic drug manufacturers, hospitals, government institutions, research houses, clinics, and others associated with this system of alternative systems and scores a bit higher than BNYS.
