Subject
Phase
Phase 1
Theory
Yes
Practical Components
Dissection, Osteology, Histology, Surface Anatomy, Viva
Syllabus1st YearAll UniversitiesAll Subjects
MBBS 1st Year Syllabus 2026 (Subject-wise)
MBBS 1st Year covers Phase 1 of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum: three subjects, each with theory and practical components. This page gives you a complete, subject-wise breakdown of what the 1st Year MBBS syllabus covers, how exams are structured, and where to find question papers and notes for each subject. This syllabus applies to all NMC-affiliated medical colleges in India. Individual universities may have minor variations in paper structure and internal assessment format -- refer to your university-specific syllabus page for binding details.
Based on NMC CBME guidelines and Updated 2026.
Download the GeckoMed app to access Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry notes, PYQs, and viva prepSyllabus at a Glance -- MBBS Phase 1 (1st Year)
| Subject | Phase | Theory | Practical Components |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomy | Phase 1 | Yes | Dissection, Osteology, Histology, Surface Anatomy, Viva |
| Physiology | Phase 1 | Yes | Experiments, Haematology, Instruments, Viva |
| Biochemistry | Phase 1 | Yes | Qualitative Experiments, Clinical Cases, Viva |
Subject
Phase
Phase 1
Theory
Yes
Practical Components
Experiments, Haematology, Instruments, Viva
Subject
Phase
Phase 1
Theory
Yes
Practical Components
Qualitative Experiments, Clinical Cases, Viva
All three subjects are assessed through a combination of university theory examinations and university practical examinations, alongside Internal Assessment (IA) conducted by the college throughout the year.
Anatomy Syllabus -- MBBS 1st Year
Anatomy is the largest and most time-intensive subject of MBBS Phase 1. The NMC CBME Anatomy syllabus is divided into five broad areas that are studied together across the academic year.
General Anatomy Introduction to anatomical terminology, planes and regions of the body, basic structure of bones, joints, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics. Microscopic anatomy is introduced through the study of tissue types: epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissue.
Gross Anatomy (Systemic and Regional) Systematic study of the musculoskeletal system, neurovascular supply, and applied anatomy across all body regions: upper limb, lower limb, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and perineum, head and neck, and back. Examinations frequently test clinical applications of gross anatomy, including nerve injuries, compartments, and surface projections.
Histology Microscopic anatomy of all major organ systems. Spotting of histological slides is a core component of the practical examination. Students are expected to identify slides and describe their distinguishing features.
Embryology General embryology covering fertilisation, cleavage, and implantation, followed by development of each organ system. Embryological basis of congenital anomalies is regularly tested in both theory and viva.
Neuroanatomy Structure and function of the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, and autonomic nervous system. Neuroanatomy bridges with Physiology in the teaching of motor and sensory pathways.
Resources:
Physiology Syllabus -- MBBS 1st Year
Physiology covers normal body function across all organ systems. Under NMC CBME, the emphasis is on understanding mechanisms, clinical correlations, and application to disease states rather than rote recall.
General and Cell Physiology Structure and function of the cell, transport mechanisms across membranes, body fluid compartments, and homeostatic mechanisms.
Blood Composition of blood, haemopoiesis, structure and function of haemoglobin, blood groups (ABO and Rh systems), haemostasis and coagulation, blood transfusion, and immunity (innate and adaptive). The ECG, haematology practicals, and blood grouping are assessed in the practical examination.
Cardiovascular Physiology Properties of cardiac muscle, cardiac cycle, heart sounds, regulation of cardiac output, blood pressure regulation, electrocardiogram, and regional circulations. The ECG is a core practical skill in the Physiology examination.
Respiratory Physiology Mechanics of breathing, lung volumes and capacities, gas exchange, transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide, regulation of respiration, and hypoxia.
Renal Physiology Glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption and secretion, concentration and dilution of urine, micturition, and acid-base balance.
Gastrointestinal Physiology Motility, secretion, digestion, and absorption across the GI tract from oral cavity to large intestine. Liver function in metabolism and bile secretion.
Endocrine Physiology Mechanisms of hormone action, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal cortex and medulla, pancreatic hormones, and parathyroid/calcium homeostasis.
Neurophysiology Nerve and muscle physiology, synaptic transmission, reflexes, sensory and motor pathways, higher brain functions, electroencephalogram (EEG), sleep, and special senses.
Reproductive Physiology Male and female reproductive physiology, menstrual cycle, fertilisation, and lactation.
Resources:
Biochemistry Syllabus -- MBBS 1st Year
Biochemistry introduces the chemical basis of body function. NMC CBME Biochemistry integrates clinical biochemistry throughout, requiring students to connect metabolic pathways to disease states.
Carbohydrate Metabolism Glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, TCA cycle (Krebs cycle), glycogenesis and glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt, and blood glucose regulation. Disorders such as glycogen storage diseases and diabetes mellitus are integrated here.
Lipid Metabolism Structure and classification of lipids, fatty acid synthesis and beta-oxidation, ketogenesis, cholesterol metabolism, and lipoproteins. Clinical correlations include hyperlipidaemias and fatty liver.
Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism Nitrogen balance, transamination, deamination, urea cycle, and metabolism of individual amino acids. Disorders of amino acid metabolism (phenylketonuria, alkaptonuria) are regularly tested.
Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology Structure of DNA and RNA, DNA replication, transcription, translation, gene expression, recombinant DNA technology, and mutation. This section has grown in importance under NMC CBME.
Enzymes Classification and nomenclature, enzyme kinetics (Michaelis-Menten), enzyme inhibition, regulation, and clinical applications of serum enzymes.
Vitamins and Minerals Classification, sources, daily requirements, biochemical functions, and deficiency states for all fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Minerals including calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, zinc, and fluoride.
Hormones Biochemical classification of hormones, mechanism of action at the receptor level, and second messengers.
Clinical Biochemistry Liver function tests, kidney function tests, interpretation of common biochemical investigations. This is assessed in the practical examination alongside qualitative experiments.
Resources:
Exam Pattern -- MBBS 1st Year
MBBS 1st Year examinations follow the NMC CBME assessment framework. The structure below applies to all NMC-affiliated universities; your university may have specific variations in question paper design.
Theory Examination University theory papers consist of Long Answer Questions (Essays, typically 10 marks each) and Short Answer Questions (typically 5 marks each). External theory marks are assessed by the university; Internal Assessment marks are awarded by the college throughout the year. Total marks per subject combine IA and external theory marks.
Practical Examination Each subject has a separate university practical examination conducted at the end of the year. Practical components are subject-specific:
- Anatomy practical: dissection spot questions, osteology, histology slide identification, radiograph identification, viva
- Physiology practical: haematological experiments, blood grouping, instruments, ECG identification, clinical physiology viva
- Biochemistry practical: qualitative experiments, clinical case interpretation, viva
Internal Assessment (IA) Colleges conduct periodic written tests (usually two or three per subject per year), practical assessments, and records evaluation under the IA component. A minimum IA score is required to be eligible to appear in the university examination. Check your college-specific IA schedule at the beginning of the academic year.
Pass Criteria Under NMC CBME, students must pass separately in theory and practical components. Passing only one component does not constitute a pass for the subject.
Recommended Books for MBBS 1st Year
The standard reference textbooks for Phase 1 MBBS are widely recognised across all Indian medical colleges. Editions change; check the current recommended edition with your department at the start of the year.
- For Anatomy: BD Chaurasia's Handbook of General Anatomy is widely used for exam preparation alongside a systematic anatomy reference. Gray's Anatomy for Students is commonly used in English-medium colleges.
- For Physiology: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology and Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology are the standard references. Many students use a shorter review text for revision.
- For Biochemistry: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry and Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry are the most widely used. Biochemistry for the NMC CBME pattern tends to emphasise clinical correlation, which these texts cover well.
For a complete, subject-wise book list with notes and PDF resources: MBBS 1st Year Books List
1st Year Question Papers
Previous year question papers are the most effective way to understand what KUHS, RGUHS, KNRUHS, and other universities actually test from this syllabus. Use PYQs to identify high-frequency topics and practice structured written answers.
MBBS Syllabus by Year
- MBBS 1st Year Syllabus (current page -- Phase 1)
- MBBS 2nd Year Syllabus (Phase 2: Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine)
- MBBS 3rd Year Syllabus (Phase 3 Part 1: Community Medicine, ENT, Ophthalmology)
- MBBS Final Year Syllabus (Phase 3 Part 2: General Medicine, General Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics)
Frequently Asked Questions
What subjects are in MBBS 1st Year under the NMC CBME curriculum?
MBBS 1st Year covers three subjects under Phase 1 of the NMC CBME curriculum: Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry. Each subject has theory and practical components assessed through university examinations at the end of the year, along with Internal Assessment conducted by the college throughout the year.
How is the MBBS 1st Year syllabus different from the old MCI curriculum?
The NMC CBME curriculum, which replaced the MCI curriculum, introduced competency-based learning objectives for each subject. The key change is a greater emphasis on clinical application, integration between subjects, and formative assessment throughout the year, rather than purely summative end-of-year examinations. The core subject content remains broadly similar, but the framing and assessed competencies are more explicitly defined.
Is the MBBS 1st Year syllabus the same across all Indian universities?
The broad syllabus follows the NMC CBME framework and applies to all NMC-affiliated medical colleges. However, individual universities (RGUHS, KNRUHS, TNMGRMU, KUHS, and others) may have variations in internal paper design, the number of IA tests conducted, and practical examination formats. Use the question papers from your specific university to understand how this syllabus is examined at your institution.
When does MBBS 1st Year end and 2nd Year begin?
Phase 1 (1st Year) is typically completed in 12 months, after which students who have cleared the Phase 1 university examinations move to Phase 2 (2nd Year). The exact academic schedule varies by university and batch. Check your university's official examination calendar for the current batch schedule.
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