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MBBS CBME Curriculum: Phase-Wise Distribution of Hours

Ever wondered how your five-and-a-half-year MBBS journey is broken down in the new CBME curriculum? You're not alone. Many students enter medical college with only a vague idea of how their time will be structured. So, what is the MBBS CBME distribution of hours phase wise, and how does it shape the learning experience?


In this blog post, we’ll walk through each phase of the CBME curriculum, showing how hours are allocated for subjects, clinical skills, AETCOM, electives, and internship. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how your MBBS years are designed—not just to help you pass exams, but to become a competent, compassionate doctor.


CBME distribution of hours phase wise

Phase I (First Professional Year) – 13 Months

Subjects: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry Hours Distribution:

  • Total teaching hours: Approximately 650–700 hours per subject (varies slightly by university)

  • Foundation Course: 175 hours (first month)

  • Early Clinical Exposure: 30 hours

  • AETCOM Module 1: 8–10 hours


This phase is all about building basic knowledge while getting a taste of clinical practice through Early Clinical Exposure and basic skills training.


Phase II (Second Professional Year) – 11 Months

Subjects: Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine (Part I)Hours Distribution:

  • Pathology: ~300 hours

  • Microbiology: ~250 hours

  • Pharmacology: ~300 hours

  • Forensic Medicine: ~100–120 hours

  • Community Medicine: ~100 hours

  • AETCOM Modules 2 & 3: ~20–25 hours combined

  • Integration and clinical application: ~100 hours


This phase shifts the focus toward understanding disease processes, drugs, microbes, and legal aspects—all woven with practical lab work and case discussions.


Phase III Part I (Third Professional Year) – 12 Months

Subjects: ENT, Ophthalmology, Community Medicine (Part II)Hours Distribution:

  • ENT: ~70–80 hours

  • Ophthalmology: ~100–120 hours

  • Community Medicine: ~120–150 hours

  • Clinical postings and ward-based learning: ~300+ hours

  • AETCOM Module 4: ~10–15 hours


Students deepen their clinical exposure through daily ward visits, OPD sessions, and diagnostic demonstrations. Community health concepts also come to life through field visits and surveys.


Phase III Part II (Final Professional Year) – 17 Months

Subjects: Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, OrthopedicsHours Distribution:

  • Medicine: ~400 hours

  • Surgery: ~350 hours

  • OBGY: ~300 hours

  • Pediatrics: ~200 hours

  • Others (Psychiatry, Derm, Ortho): ~100–150 hours combined

  • Clinical rotations and case presentations: ~400+ hours

  • Electives: 2 months (optional modules)

  • AETCOM Modules 5–7: ~30+ hours


The final academic phase prepares students for independent practice, team-based care, and high-pressure clinical decisions.


Internship (CRRI) – 12 Months

Rotations: Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OBGY, Orthopedics, Emergency, Community Medicine, and othersHours Distribution:

  • Weekly duty: ~48 hours x 52 weeks = ~2500 hours

  • Hands-on experience: managing real patients, procedures, documentation, counseling


Internship bridges the gap between student and professional, helping learners build confidence and apply everything they've learned.





 
 
 

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