BMLT Course 2026: Duration, Colleges, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus & Career Scope in India

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) is a 3-year undergraduate paramedical degree that trains students in clinical diagnostics, pathology, microbiology, hematology, biochemistry, and blood banking. It prepares skilled professionals who play a crucial role in disease detection and patient care behind the scenes. The course is known for its affordability, with government colleges charging ₹20,000–₹1 lakh in total, and reputed private institutes ranging from ₹1.5–6 lakhs. Some of India’s renowned educational institutions like AIIMS Delhi, JIPMER Puducherry, CMC Vellore, Manipal University, and PGIMER Chandigarh offer BMLT education.

This course guide delves into the scope of BMLT course, popular job options and expected salary packages. Read more to find the course’s eligibility criteria, admission process, top college options, total fees and much more.

What is BMLT?

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) is a 3-4 year undergraduate degree program for aspiring medical lab professionals. This course develops skills in blood testing, microbiology, biochemistry, pathology, and histopathology, essential for the healthcare sector. Here is a quick overview of the course:

BMLT Eligibility

To be eligible for the BMLT course in India, candidates must meet specific criteria.  While these criteria vary from one institute to another, typically a candidate must:

• Have passed Class 12 (10+2) from a recognized board in the Science stream.
• Have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB); some colleges accept PCM or PCB.
• Have secured minimum aggregate marks: Usually 45–50% (relaxation of 5% for reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC).
• Be a minimum of 17 years by December 31 of the admission year.
• Have studied English as a subject is often mandatory in 12th.

Admission is based on 12th class marks or institute-level entrance exams. Candidates must have a minimum of 50% in their 10+2 exams with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as mandatory subjects.

• Some institutions use entrance exams like NEET UG, KEAM, MET, and IPU CET for BMLT admissions.
• Some colleges consider state CET exam scores for admissions.
• Some universities conduct institute-level entrance exams for BMLT admissions.
• Some colleges offer direct admissions based on 12th class marks.
• Candidates with a diploma in medical lab technology can apply for lateral entry into the BMLT course.
• Some colleges may require a minimum percentage in PCB subjects.

The following table provides a detailed overview of the BMLT eligibility criteria:

Top BMLT Colleges

The top BMLT colleges in India offer a comprehensive curriculum and modern infrastructure. Colleges with NAAC and NABH accreditation are preferred, as they ensure high educational and training standards. Government colleges like AIIMS Delhi and JIPMER offer more affordable options, while private colleges like Manipal and Amity have higher fees.

The table below lists top BMLT colleges in India, including fees, internship hospitals, and placement information. Fees listed are for the entire course, and internship hospitals have formal affiliations with the colleges.

BMLT Syllabus

The BMLT syllabus provides a comprehensive understanding of medical laboratory technology through theoretical and practical training. The course is typically divided into three years, each focusing on different core subjects and electives. The first year covers the basics of human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and microbiology. The second year explores clinical biochemistry, pathology, hematology, and blood banking. The third year covers advanced topics like microbiology, histopathology, immunology, and medical imaging, and culminates in a 6-12 month internship.

Here is a detailed overview of the syllabus of BMLT course along with core subjects and electives in the table below:

BMLT Fees

BMLT course fees in India vary significantly based on the institution type. Government colleges are the most affordable, with annual fees ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000, totaling ₹1-2 lakhs for the entire course. Private institutions can charge from ₹80,000 to ₹2 lakhs per year, totaling ₹3-6 lakhs.

Hostel fees, ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹1 lakh per year, are an additional consideration. Scholarships are available for eligible students, including those from SC/ST backgrounds, merit-based scholarships, and state health department scholarships.

• Ganesh Paramedical College, Delhi, offers BMLT courses with varying fee structures.
• Career College, Bhopal, provides BMLT programs with fees around ₹1-2 lakhs per year.
• Sunrise University, Rajasthan, NCR, charges approximately ₹1.5-2.5 lakhs annually for BMLT.
• AIIMS charges roughly ₹1.5 lakhs for the BMLT course.
• Private colleges like Apollo and Fortis offer BMLT courses with fees ranging from ₹2-6 lakhs.
• BMLT course fees can vary based on location; metro cities tend to be more expensive.

Career & Jobs After BMLT

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) course provides diverse career opportunities in hospitals, diagnostics centers, government institutions, research organizations, and educational institutions. BMLT graduates can work as laboratory technicians, medical laboratory technologists, research analysts, lecturers, and healthcare administrators. Salaries range from ₹2.4 to ₹9.8 LPA, depending on the job role, experience, and sector. Top recruiters include Dr. Lal PathLabs, SRL Diagnostics, Metropolis Healthcare, and government hospitals like ESIC and Indian Railways.

The table below provides a detailed overview of job sectors, job roles, and salary ranges for BMLT graduates in India.

BMLT Salary

Salaries for BMLT professionals in India vary based on experience, job role, and location. Freshers can expect ₹15,000-25,000 per month (₹1.8-3 lakhs per annum). With 3-5 years of experience, salaries increase to ₹25,000-40,000 per month. Here’s a broad salary progression for various job roles with increasing work experience:

• Lab Technician: ₹2-2.5 LPA (fresher), ₹3-4 LPA (3 years), ₹4-5 LPA (5 years)
• Lab Manager: ₹3-4 LPA (fresher), ₹4-6 LPA (3 years), ₹6-8 LPA (5 years)
• Research Analyst: ₹2.4-3 LPA (fresher), ₹3-4.5 LPA (3 years), ₹4.5-6 LPA (5 years)
• Research Scientist: ₹3-3.6 LPA (fresher), ₹4-5 LPA (3 years), ₹5-7 LPA (5 years)
• Lecturer: ₹2.4-3 LPA (fresher), ₹3-4 LPA (3 years), ₹4-6 LPA (5 years)
• Data Analyst: ₹3-4 LPA (fresher), ₹4-6 LPA (3 years), ₹6-8 LPA (5 years)
• Statistician: ₹3-4 LPA (fresher), ₹4-6 LPA (3 years), ₹6-8 LPA (5 years)
• Teacher: ₹2.4-3 LPA (fresher), ₹3-4 LPA (3 years), ₹4-6 LPA (5 years)

Higher Studies After BMLT

After completing the BMLT course, students can pursue higher studies to improve their career prospects. Options include MSc MLT, MSc Microbiology, MSc Biochemistry, and MBA Hospital Management. These 2-year courses offer specialization. Students can also pursue PhD programs for research. Additionally, students can prepare for government exams like UPSC Medical Officer and State PSC, requiring council registration. Specialized courses like Molecular diagnostics and Histopathology are also available.

The table below provides an overview of higher studies options after BMLT, including duration and outcomes.

BMLT Comparison with Other Courses

Aspirants looking to train themselves in medical lab technology also have diploma and BSc options. While the 2-year DMLT provides quick job entry at the basic technician level, the 3-year BMLT (and similarly BSc MLT) delivers deeper knowledge, advanced diagnostic skills, and stronger long-term career growth with better salaries and higher roles.  Here is a quick comparison:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In Delhi, BMLT fees range from ₹20,000–₹50,000 total in government colleges (e.g., DSEU-affiliated) to ₹1.5–4 lakhs total in private institutes, depending on the college and category

Q7. What is better, BMLT or DMLT?

BMLT (3-year degree) is better for long-term growth, higher salaries, advanced roles, and further studies (MSc/PhD), while DMLT (2-year diploma) suits quicker job entry at basic technician level.

Q8. What is the scope of BMLT?

BMLT offers strong scope in hospitals, diagnostic labs, blood banks, research centers, and public health; starting salary ₹3–5 LPA, with growth to senior technologist, lab manager, or teaching roles.

Written by Aayush Kukreja

Aayush is a writer and content strategist who turns personal stories into brand narratives. With an experience spanning diverse industries, rely on his writing for simplifying complex subjects & get in-depth insights - always with sharp wit.

View all posts →