Medical Officer
Also known as: Duty Medical Officer · Casualty Medical Officer
Provides medical care in a hospital, health centre or organisation in a salaried post.
What you’d do
A medical officer is a doctor in a salaried post who sees patients, handles emergencies and runs health programmes. State health departments, central government health services, hospitals, the armed forces, railways and companies hire them. A day may include outpatient clinics, ward rounds, emergency duty and public-health work.
- Treats outpatients and inpatients
- Handles emergencies and referrals
- Runs health programmes and checkups
- Maintains patient and duty records
How you get in
After MBBS and the compulsory internship, doctors register with the National Medical Commission or a State Medical Council. Government posts are filled through state public service commission or health-department recruitment, and the UPSC Combined Medical Services exam for central services. Private hospitals recruit directly.
Salary in India
Fresher salary over the years
middle of the 0–1 yr range, ₹ lakh a year
Fewer than two years of fresher data so far — the trend shows once there are two.
Skills you’ll use
From our guide · a curated list is coming
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment
- Emergency and trauma care
- Prescribing and patient counselling
- Running national health programmes and records
- Working with nurses and paramedical staff
About this field · for freshers
Job openings by year
Is demand growing?
Not added yet.
Competition3
How many graduates enter each year?
MBBS graduates in 2023-24 at institutions that reported to AISHE — everyone finishing that degree, not only those entering this role.
Who hires
IT firms, banks, government, startups?
Not added yet.
Where the jobs are
Which cities?
Not added yet.
Women in the field3
Is it diverse?
Share of women among MBBS graduates in 2023-24 — the entry degree, not people already working in this role.
At a glance
- Rural service may be required or rewarded in some states, for example through bonds or PG entrance weightage.
- Many medical officers prepare for PG entrance exams alongside the job.
- Common next steps: a specialist degree (MD/MS/DNB) or senior medical officer posts in government service.
Stay safe
No legitimate employer ever asks you to pay to get a job.