Doctor of Medicine (MD, from the Latin Medicine Doctor meaning "Teacher of Medicine") is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools. It is a professional doctorate / first professional degree (qualifying degree) in some countries, including the United States and Canada, although training is entered after obtaining from 90 to 120 credit hours of university level work and in most cases after having obtained a Bachelors Degree. The MD is an advanced academic research degree similar to a PhD or a higher doctorate. The MBBS degree represents the level of training required to be licensed as a physicians, and the MD degree is a higher postgraduate degree, representative of specialty training. Eligibility for the MD course is restricted to medical graduates holding the MBBS degree (which has duration of five and a half years), and training is obtained in medical disciplines which are non-surgical in nature (e.g.: Internal Medicine, Radiology, Pathology, etc.). After three years of study and the successful completion of an examination which includes both theoretical and practical elements, in a pre-clinical or clinical subject of a non-surgical nature, the candidate receives an MD degree.

After obtaining the first postgraduate degree, that is MD/MS/DNB, one can go for further specialization in medical or surgical fields. This requires three years of additional training and study and then passing an examination, both theory and practical, and the degree awarded is DM (Doctorate in Medicine), like M.D. in Cardiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, etc. For surgical subspecialties the degree awarded is MCh (Magister Chirurgiae), like MCh in Cardiac Surgery, Neurosurgery, etc. A third qualification in subspecialties is DNB (super specialties), offered by National Board of Examinations, like DNB in Cardiology, Neurology, Cardiac Surgery, Neurosurgery, etc.

The DM and MCh degrees or DNB in super-specialties are equivalent to the Fellowship training in the US and are considered "postdoctoral" degrees in India, similar to the PhD.