Master of Clinical Psychology in India: Courses, Colleges, Fees, and Career Paths

The Master of Clinical Psychology is a 2-year postgraduate program that prepares students for careers in mental health through clinical training, psychological assessment, research, and therapeutic interventions.

The demand for mental health professionals is steadily increasing in India, making a Master of Clinical Psychology a highly relevant and rewarding career choice. This 2-year postgraduate program equips students with the knowledge and practical skills required to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders. Admission typically requires a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field with at least 50% marks, and selection may be based on merit or entrance exams. The curriculum covers key areas such as psychopathology, cognitive psychology, counseling techniques, and research methods. Graduates can work as clinical psychologists, counselors, or researchers, with growing opportunities across hospitals, NGOs, and private practice settings in India.

Master of Clinical Psychology Overview

Master of Clinical Psychology is a 2-year postgraduate program focused on psychological assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and mental health intervention. The course combines theoretical foundations with supervised clinical training in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and mental health clinics. Eligibility typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (preferably with Psychology as a major subject) with a minimum of 50–55% marks, though criteria may vary by university. Annual fees generally range between INR 50,000 and INR 5,00,000 depending on whether the institution is government or private. Admission is based on merit or entrance examinations, followed by interviews in some institutions. It is essential to pursue the program from a recognized university to ensure academic validity and professional credibility in India.

Feature	Description	Details
Duration	Course Length	2 Years (4 Semesters)
Eligibility	Educational Qualification	Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or related discipline with minimum 50–55% marks
Average Fees	Annual Tuition Fees	INR 50,000 – INR 5,00,000 (varies by institution)
Admission Process	Selection Criteria	Merit-based or entrance exam + interview
Entrance Exams	Common Exams	CUET PG, University-level entrance tests
Core Subjects	Major Areas of Study	Psychopathology, Cognitive Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Research Methods, Psychotherapy
Practical Training	Clinical Exposure	Supervised internships, case studies, hospital training
Salary Range	Entry-Level Salary	INR 3 LPA – 8 LPA (varies by sector and experience)
Career Options	Job Roles	Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, Mental Health Counselor, Research Assistant
Further Studies	Higher Education	M.Phil. Clinical Psychology (RCI-approved), Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Recognition	Regulatory Approval	University must be recognized by UGC; RCI approval required for licensed clinical practice
Specializations	Available Focus Areas	Health Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Child & Adolescent Psychology

Master of Clinical Psychology Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Master of Clinical Psychology in India, candidates must typically hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (preferably with Psychology as a core subject). The minimum percentage requirement generally ranges between 50% and 60%, depending on the university. Some institutions may also require candidates to have studied specific papers such as abnormal psychology, statistics, or research methodology. There is usually no upper age limit, although minimum age requirements (17–21 years) may apply as per university norms. Relevant internships, research experience, or counseling certifications can strengthen the application.

Qualification	Minimum Percentage	Relevant Background	Age Limit	Additional Requirements
BA/BSc in Psychology	50–60%	Psychology as a major subject	Usually 17+ years	May require entrance exam + interview
BA/BSc (Hons.) Psychology	55–65%	Core Psychology papers	No upper age limit	Research project/dissertation preferred
MA/MSc in Psychology (for second Master’s or specialization)	55–60%	Psychology specialization	As per university norms	Thesis/dissertation background may be required
Related Degrees (Sociology, Social Work, Education)	50–55%	Psychology papers studied as electives	Varies	Bridge courses may be required
PG Diploma in Psychology	50%	Psychology-related subjects	Varies	Entrance test/interview

Master of Clinical Psychology Admission Process

Admission for the Master in Clinical Psychology program in India is typically merit-based or entrance-based, depending on the institution. The process may vary slightly across universities but generally follows structured academic evaluation and screening.

Step-by-Step Admission Process

Check Eligibility:
- Verify academic qualifications and minimum percentage requirements.
- Ensure the university is recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC).
Entrance Examination:
- Appear for exams such as CUET PG or university-level entrance tests.
- Some private universities conduct their own admission tests.
Application Submission:
- Fill out the application form (online/offline).
- Submit required documents: mark sheets, ID proof, entrance scorecard, and category certificate (if applicable).
Interview / Counseling Round:
- Shortlisted candidates may be called for a personal interview.
- Some universities assess research aptitude and subject knowledge.
Merit List & Admission Confirmation:
- Universities release merit lists based on entrance scores and academic performance.
- Selected candidates must pay the admission fee to confirm their seat.
Document Verification:
- Final verification of original certificates at the time of enrollment.

Top Government Colleges for Masters in Clinical Psychology in India

Several reputed government universities in India offer the Masters in Clinical Psychology or closely related Psychology postgraduate programs. Admission is typically based on entrance examinations such as CUET PG or university-specific tests. Annual tuition fees in government institutions generally range between INR 10,000 and INR 1,50,000. Candidates should verify whether the program is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). NIRF rankings mentioned are overall university rankings and may vary each year.

University	Location	Approx. Annual Fees (INR)	Admission Mode	NIRF Ranking (Overall Category)
University of Delhi	Delhi	10,000 – 25,000	CUET PG / Merit	Top-ranked central university
Banaras Hindu University	Varanasi	15,000 – 30,000	CUET PG	Highly ranked central university
Aligarh Muslim University	Aligarh	12,000 – 25,000	University Entrance Test	Ranked central university
Jamia Millia Islamia	New Delhi	15,000 – 40,000	University Entrance Test	Top central university
University of Hyderabad	Hyderabad	20,000 – 40,000	University Entrance Test	Highly ranked public university
University of Calcutta	Kolkata	20,000 – 35,000	Merit / Entrance	State public university
University of Mumbai	Mumbai	25,000 – 50,000	Merit / CET	State public university

Top Private Colleges for Masters in Clinical Psychology in India

Private universities in India also offer postgraduate programs in Clinical Psychology or Applied Psychology with clinical specialization. Fees are generally higher than government institutions and may range between INR 1,40,000 and INR 3,00,000 per year. Admission is usually based on university-level entrance exams, merit, and personal interviews. Hostel and additional charges are not always included in tuition fees.

University	Location	Approx. Annual Fees (INR)	Admission Mode	NIRF Ranking (Overall Category)
Christ University	Bengaluru	2,00,000 – 2,80,000	Entrance Test + Interview	Ranked private university
Amity University	Noida	2,00,000 – 2,50,000	University Entrance Test	Ranked private university
Lovely Professional University	Phagwara	1,50,000 – 2,00,000	LPUNEST / Merit	Ranked private university
Symbiosis International University	Pune	2,50,000 – 3,00,000	University Entrance Test	Ranked private university
ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education	Hyderabad	2,00,000 – 2,60,000	University Entrance	Ranked private university
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies	Faridabad	1,80,000 – 2,20,000	University Entrance	Ranked private university
Garden City University	Bengaluru	1,50,000 – 2,00,000	Merit / Interview	Private university

Students are advised to confirm program specialization (Clinical Psychology vs Applied Psychology), recognition status, internship opportunities, and regulatory approvals before applying.

Masters in Clinical Psychology: Subjects and Syllabus

The Master of Clinical Psychology is a 2-year postgraduate program divided into four semesters. The curriculum blends theoretical foundations, psychological assessment training, psychotherapy techniques, supervised internships, and research work. The first year focuses on core psychological theories and assessment methods, while the second year emphasizes clinical practice, specialization papers, and dissertation work.

Semester	Core Subjects	Electives / Practical Components
Semester I	Psychopathology, Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Statistics for Behavioral Sciences	Basic Counseling Skills Lab
Semester II	Psychological Assessment, Personality Theories, Neuropsychology, Psychotherapy (CBT, Psychoanalysis, Humanistic Therapy)	Child & Adolescent Psychology / Health Psychology
Semester III	Clinical Interventions, Community Mental Health, Rehabilitation Psychology, Ethics in Clinical Practice	Organizational Behavior / Positive Psychology / Forensic Psychology
Semester IV	Advanced Psychotherapy, Case Formulation & Diagnosis, Clinical Supervision	Dissertation, Extended Internship (Hospital/Clinic-based)

Practical Training Components

Supervised Clinical Internship (minimum 8–12 weeks)
Case study presentations
Psychological testing and report writing
Dissertation / Research Project

Check out the Masters in Clinical Psychology Syllabus.

Masters in Clinical Psychology Fee Structure

The fee structure for the Master of Clinical Psychology varies significantly between government and private institutions. Government universities generally offer more affordable education, while private universities charge higher tuition fees but may provide enhanced infrastructure and industry exposure. Fees mentioned are approximate and subject to change.

General Fee Comparison

College Type	Average Annual Tuition Fees (INR)	Hostel Fees (INR)	Other Costs (INR)	Scholarship Availability
Government Colleges	10,000 – 50,000	5,000 – 25,000	5,000 – 30,000	Merit-based / Category-based
Private Colleges	1,00,000 – 3,00,000	40,000 – 1,00,000	20,000 – 70,000	Merit & Need-based

Examples of Institutions

University	Approx. Annual Fees (INR)	Scholarship Support
University of Delhi	15,000 – 25,000	Category & merit scholarships
Jamia Millia Islamia	10,000 – 20,000	Merit-based scholarships
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi	12,000 – 20,000	Government scholarships
University of Mumbai	15,000 – 30,000	Merit scholarships
Christ University	2,50,000 – 3,00,000	Institutional scholarships

Entrance Exams for Masters in Clinical Psychology in India

Admission to the Master of Clinical Psychology is typically based on national-level or university-level entrance examinations. Eligibility generally requires a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with 50–55% marks.

Exam Name	Conducting Body	Exam Mode	Basic Eligibility
CUET PG	National Testing Agency	Computer-Based Test	Bachelor’s degree with required percentage
University of Delhi PG Entrance (via CUET PG)	University of Delhi	CBT	Psychology background required
TISS Entrance (Discontinued; admissions via CUET PG for many programs)	Tata Institute of Social Sciences	CBT	Bachelor’s degree
Ambedkar University Entrance	Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi	University Test	50% (45% for reserved categories)
Christ University Entrance Test	Christ University	University-level CBT	Psychology/related degree
JMI Entrance Exam	Jamia Millia Islamia	University-level Test	Bachelor’s degree in Psychology
BHU Admission (via CUET PG)	Banaras Hindu University	CBT	Relevant Bachelor’s degree
AMU Entrance Exam	Aligarh Muslim University	University-level Test	Psychology background preferred
University of Hyderabad Entrance	University of Hyderabad	University-level Test	Minimum 55% marks

Masters in Clinical Psychology Career Opportunities and Job Prospects in India

Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology can work across healthcare, education, research, and community development sectors. However, independent clinical practice in India requires further qualification such as an RCI-approved M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology.

Popular Job Roles

Job Role	Average Salary (INR per annum)	Work Setting
Clinical Psychologist	3 – 8 LPA	Hospitals, Mental Health Clinics
Counseling Psychologist	3 – 6 LPA	Schools, NGOs, Private Clinics
Rehabilitation Psychologist	4 – 7 LPA	Rehab Centers, NGOs
Research Assistant	3 – 5 LPA	Universities, Research Institutions
Mental Health Counselor	3 – 6 LPA	Community Health Centers

Employment Sectors

Government & Private Hospitals
Mental Health Clinics
Schools & Universities
NGOs & Community Organizations
Corporate Wellness Programs
Research Institutions

With increasing awareness of mental health in India, career prospects in clinical psychology are expanding steadily, offering stable employment and opportunities for specialization and higher studies such as M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the duration of a masters in Clinical Psychology course in India?

The duration of a masters in Clinical Psychology course in India is typically 2 years, divided into four semesters.

Q2. What are the eligibility criteria for a masters in Clinical Psychology in India?

To be eligible for a masters in Clinical Psychology in India, you need a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related field with a minimum of 50%. Some colleges may also require relevant work experience or a personal interview.

Q3. What is the average annual fee for a masters in Clinical Psychology in Government colleges in India?

The average annual fee for a masters in Clinical Psychology in Government colleges in India is generally lower than that of private colleges. The exact fee amount varies by college.

Q4. What are the key subjects covered in a masters in Clinical Psychology course in India?

Key subjects covered in a masters in Clinical Psychology course in India include Psychopathology, Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods, Therapeutic Interventions, and Psychological Assessment, as well as Statistics, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and Health Psychology.

Q5. What are the career prospects after completing a masters in Clinical Psychology in India?

After completing a masters in Clinical Psychology in India, you can pursue careers as a Clinical Psychologist, Counselor, or Researcher. The expected salary range is between INR 3 LPA and 8 LPA, depending on experience and role. You can also opt for further studies, such as a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Written by Shreoshree Chakrabarty

Shreoshree Chakrabarty is an experienced content writer with over five years of professional expertise in creating engaging and impactful content across diverse formats. Over the course of her career, she has collaborated with well-known brands such as Myntra and Justdial, contributing high-quality content that aligns with brand voice and audience expectations. Academically, Shreoshree holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, and outside of her professional pursuits, she is an avid reader and a passionate traveller who enjoys exploring new places and cultures. She also loves watching movies, finding inspiration in cinema and literature that often reflects in her writing style.

View all posts →