MS Orthopedics / Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery

MS Orthopedics / Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Birat Medical College is a three-year postgraduate medical program affiliated with Kathmandu University. The specialty focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system.

At Birat Medical College, the program is identified as MS Orthopedics / Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, while the Kathmandu University postgraduate degree is identified as MS in Orthopedics.

The college is located in Tankisinuwari, Biratnagar, Morang, Koshi Province. Admission follows MECEE-PG under the Medical Education Commission, while curriculum, examinations, academic progression, and degree completion operate under Kathmandu University regulations.

Course Overview

The program operates under the postgraduate medical education framework of Kathmandu University.

What is MS Orthopedics?

MS Orthopedics is postgraduate medical education focused on disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

It is a specialist program entered after undergraduate medical education rather than a direct-entry course after Grade 12. Candidates first complete MBBS or an equivalent medical qualification and then move into postgraduate orthopedic training after meeting the applicable registration, experience, entrance, and selection requirements.

The program develops beyond the orthopedic exposure received during MBBS and moves into specialty-level medical and surgical education.

Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery

Birat Medical College identifies the program using the titles Orthopedics and Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery.

The central field remains Orthopedics, with its academic focus on diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal system disorders.

The detailed postgraduate curriculum, clinical rotations, operative requirements, trauma-related training, assessments, and other specialty components follow the academic structure prescribed by Kathmandu University.

Duration

MS Orthopedics has a duration of three years.

The three-year course is conducted after completion of an eligible medical degree and fulfillment of the applicable postgraduate admission requirements.

Students must complete the academic, clinical, and examination requirements prescribed under Kathmandu University's postgraduate framework before becoming eligible for the degree.

Orthopedics as a Clinical Science Program

Orthopedics belongs to the Clinical Science group of postgraduate medical education.

This classification is important because the admission conditions for Clinical Science programs include professional registration and clinical experience.

Other postgraduate Clinical Science programs available within the wider medical education structure include areas such as:

• General Surgery;

• Internal Medicine;

• Paediatrics;

• Anaesthesiology;

• Dermatology;

• Psychiatry;

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology;

• Ophthalmology;

• Otorhinolaryngology; and

• Radiodiagnosis.

Orthopedics remains a separate specialty with its own focus on the musculoskeletal system.

Eligibility for MS Orthopedics

Applicants must meet the postgraduate medical eligibility requirements applicable to the program.

The stated requirements include:

• MBBS or an equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by the Government of Nepal;

• registration with the Nepal Medical Council for applicable Nepali candidates;

• registration with the respective medical council of the applicant's own country for foreign candidates;

• one year of experience; and

• the required qualifying score in the Medical Education Commission entrance examination.

The experience exemption applicable to MDGP and MD/MS programs in Basic Medical Sciences does not apply to MS Orthopedics.

Applicants must therefore meet the academic qualification, professional registration, experience, entrance, and selection requirements.

Medical Council Registration

Professional registration is part of the postgraduate eligibility framework.

For Nepali medical graduates, the relevant professional body is the Nepal Medical Council.

Foreign applicants must meet the corresponding professional registration requirement applicable to their admission category.

Professional registration and postgraduate entrance are separate requirements. Medical Council registration does not replace MECEE-PG, while qualification in MECEE-PG does not replace the applicable professional registration requirement.

MECEE-PG Admission

Admission follows the Medical Education Common Entrance Examination for Postgraduate Level, commonly known as MECEE-PG.

The Medical Education Commission conducts the postgraduate entrance examination, and candidate selection follows MEC procedures.

The admission pathway includes:

• completing an eligible MBBS or equivalent qualification;

• obtaining the required Medical Council registration;

• completing the stated experience requirement;

• appearing in MECEE-PG;

• obtaining the minimum qualifying score;

• entering the postgraduate merit process; and

• receiving selection through the applicable MEC procedure.

Birat Medical College therefore follows the centralized postgraduate medical admission system for MS Orthopedics.

Minimum Entrance Requirement

Candidates must score at least 50 percent in the Medical Education Commission entrance examination to become eligible for inclusion on the merit list.

Reaching the qualifying score does not guarantee admission.

Selection also depends on:

• merit position;

• available seats;

• applicable seat category; and

• the prevailing MEC selection and matching process.

MECEE-PG Examination Format

The postgraduate medical entrance examination follows a single-best-response multiple-choice format.

The stated examination structure includes:

• 200 questions;

• four answer options for each question;

• one best response;

• three hours of examination time; and

• recall, understanding, and application questions in a 30:50:20 ratio.

The entrance examination assesses the broader MBBS knowledge base rather than Orthopedics alone.

MECEE-PG Subject Distribution

Orthopedics carries 10 marks within the Clinical Subjects section of MECEE-PG.

This means candidates preparing for MS Orthopedics admission still need to study the complete postgraduate entrance syllabus.

Clinical Subjects in MECEE-PG

The clinical section includes:

• Medicine — 18 marks;

• Surgery — 18 marks;

• Obstetrics and Gynecology — 12 marks;

• Paediatrics — 12 marks;

• Orthopedics — 10 marks;

• Otorhinolaryngology — 10 marks;

• Ophthalmology — 7 marks;

• Anaesthesiology — 7 marks;

• Psychiatry — 7 marks;

• Radiology — 7 marks; and

• Dermatology — 7 marks.

Together, the clinical subjects account for 115 marks.

Orthopedics is therefore one defined part of a much broader postgraduate medical entrance examination.

Basic Medical Sciences in MECEE-PG

The Basic Medical Sciences section carries 60 marks.

It includes:

• Anatomy — 12 marks;

• Physiology — 12 marks;

• Pathology — 10 marks;

• Pharmacology — 10 marks;

• Biochemistry — 8 marks; and

• Microbiology — 8 marks.

Community Medicine and Research Methodology, Forensic Medicine, and mandatory professional development topics complete the examination.

Professional Development Areas

The postgraduate entrance framework also includes questions from mandatory continuing professional development areas.

These include:

• medical ethics;

• rational use of drugs;

• infection prevention;

• BLS/ACLS; and

• communication skills.

These areas account for 10 marks within the entrance examination.

Seats at Birat Medical College

The stated allocation for MS Orthopedics / Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Birat Medical College is two seats.

Both seats are identified under the open category.

Postgraduate medical seat allocation is determined through the Medical Education Commission and can vary between admission cycles.

Clinical Learning Environment

Birat Medical College conducts postgraduate medical education within the clinical environment associated with Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital.

The teaching hospital provides inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic, surgical, and specialist services.

Orthopedics is part of the clinical academic structure of Birat Medical College, alongside departments such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, and Otorhinolaryngology.

This broader clinical setting supports postgraduate medical education across multiple specialties.

Orthopedics During MBBS and MS

Orthopedics is already included in undergraduate medical education before a doctor enters postgraduate specialty training.

Within MECEE-PG itself, Orthopedics is also assessed as a separate clinical subject carrying 10 marks.

MS Orthopedics represents a further stage of specialization after MBBS.

The pathway can be understood as:

1. complete MBBS or an equivalent eligible qualification;

2. obtain applicable Medical Council registration;

3. complete the required experience;

4. qualify through MECEE-PG;

5. receive selection through the MEC process; and

6. complete the three-year MS Orthopedics program under Kathmandu University.

The undergraduate medical foundation therefore precedes specialist orthopedic training.

Relationship With General Surgery

General Surgery and Orthopedics are separate postgraduate specialties at Birat Medical College.

The college offers both MS General Surgery and MS Orthopedics.

General Surgery covers its own broad surgical field, while MS Orthopedics focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal system disorders.

Applicants should therefore treat them as separate postgraduate choices rather than interchangeable course titles.

Relationship With Physiotherapy

Birat Medical College also offers the Bachelor of Physiotherapy program at undergraduate level.

Physiotherapy and Orthopedics can both involve the musculoskeletal system, but they belong to different academic and professional pathways.

MS Orthopedics is a postgraduate medical program entered after MBBS.

BPT is an undergraduate allied health professional program with a separate entrance, academic structure, professional pathway, and regulatory framework.

Academic Facilities

Postgraduate students study within the wider academic environment of Birat Medical College.

College facilities include:

• academic buildings;

• clinical departments;

• laboratories;

• practical and demonstration spaces;

• a central library;

• administrative facilities; and

• student support infrastructure.

The Central Library includes wired and Wi-Fi internet access, HINARI access, a separate faculty area, photocopying facilities, and seating for more than 150 users.

These facilities serve the wider medical college community rather than MS Orthopedics alone.

Research and Medical Education

Birat Medical College supports research activities among faculty and students and is associated with the Birat Journal of Health Sciences.

The college also has a Health Professions Education Department involved in:

• faculty development;

• curriculum development and review;

• medical education research;

• student-centred learning;

• assessment; and

• feedback systems.

Specific postgraduate academic and research requirements for MS Orthopedics remain governed by the Kathmandu University curriculum.

Academic Regulation

Admission, academic study, and professional regulation operate through separate systems.

MECEE-PG is used for entry into postgraduate medical education.

After admission, students must complete the academic and examination requirements prescribed by Kathmandu University.

Degree Award

Students who successfully complete the required postgraduate curriculum, clinical work, academic requirements, and university examinations receive the MS degree under Kathmandu University.

Admission through MEC is the entry stage rather than the completion stage.

Students must satisfy Kathmandu University requirements before the postgraduate degree is awarded.

Professional Direction After MS Orthopedics

MS Orthopedics provides postgraduate medical specialization in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal system disorders.

After completing the program and meeting the applicable professional requirements, graduates may enter orthopedic medical practice within the scope permitted by their qualification, professional registration, institutional responsibilities, and prevailing regulations.

The degree itself does not guarantee employment, a specific appointment, or a particular professional position.

Professional opportunities depend on Medical Council requirements, institutional criteria, experience, available positions, and any further qualifications.

Who May Consider MS Orthopedics?

MS Orthopedics is intended for qualified medical graduates who want postgraduate education focused on the musculoskeletal system and orthopedic surgical practice.

Candidates should be prepared for a pathway involving:

• prior completion of MBBS or equivalent;

• Medical Council registration;

• clinical experience;

• MECEE-PG preparation;

• merit-based admission;

• specialist postgraduate clinical education; and

• university academic and examination requirements.

It is not a direct-entry course after school-level education.

Key Points About MS Orthopedics

• The program is also identified as Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Birat Medical College.

• Kathmandu University identifies the postgraduate degree as MS in Orthopedics.

• The duration is three years.

• The program focuses on diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal system disorders.

• MS Orthopedics belongs to the Clinical Science group.

• Applicants require MBBS or an equivalent eligible medical qualification.

• Medical Council registration is required.

• One year of experience is required.

• Admission follows MECEE-PG.

• MEC conducts the entrance examination and manages selection.

• Candidates must obtain at least 50 percent to become eligible for the merit list.

• MECEE-PG contains 200 single-best-response questions.

• Orthopedics carries 10 marks in the clinical section of the entrance examination.

• Birat Medical College has a stated allocation of two open seats.

• Seat allocation can change according to MEC determination.

• Curriculum, academic progression, examinations, and degree award follow Kathmandu University regulations.

• Professional medical practice remains subject to Nepal Medical Council requirements.

MS Orthopedics at Birat Medical College at a Glance

MS Orthopedics / Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Birat Medical College is a three-year Kathmandu University postgraduate Clinical Science program. Applicants require an eligible MBBS or equivalent qualification, professional registration, one year of experience, and qualification through MECEE-PG. The stated allocation is two open seats, while curriculum, examinations, academic progression, and degree award follow Kathmandu University regulations.