Psychiatrist Course Details, MBBS Requirements and Duration
Admission is strictly through NEET UG for MBBS and NEET PG or INI CET for postgraduate residency.
Below is a complete overview of eligibility criteria, entrance examinations, course duration, fees across government and private institutions, top medical colleges, and pay scales under the 7th Central Pay Commission.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 8.5 Years minimum (4.5 yrs MBBS + 1 yr Internship + 3 yrs MD Psychiatry) |
| Eligibility | Pass Class 12 with PCB for NEET UG; MBBS degree + 1-year internship + State Medical Council registration for MD Psychiatry |
| Entrance Exams | NEET UG (for MBBS entry) and NEET PG / INI CET (for MD/DPM admission) |
| Course Levels | Postgraduate Degree (MD Psychiatry / DNB Psychiatry – 3 years) & Postgraduate Diploma (DPM – 2 years) |
| Starting Resident Pay | Rs. 56,100 per month (Level 10 basic pay) + 20% Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) |
| Govt vs Private Annual Fees | Govt Seats: INR 38,900 to INR 2,63,900/yr; Private Seats: INR 1,58,000 to INR 40,00,000/yr |
What is Psychiatry
Psychiatry is a specialized branch of medicine dedicated to the clinical diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and therapeutic management of mental health conditions. In India, a psychiatrist is a qualified medical doctor holding an MBBS degree followed by a postgraduate medical qualification such as MD (Psychiatry), DNB (Psychiatry), or DPM.
Unlike non-medical mental health practitioners, psychiatrists are recognized medical practitioners. They possess full legal authority to prescribe psychiatric medications, conduct medical evaluations, order physical and neurodiagnostic tests, and manage hospital admissions for psychiatric patients.
| Feature | Psychiatrist | Psychologist |
|---|---|---|
| Entry after Class 12 | MBBS via NEET UG | BA/BSc Psychology via University Admission |
| Core Qualification | MBBS + MD/DNB/DPM in Psychiatry | Bachelor’s + Master’s / M.Phil in Psychology |
| Medical Degree | Yes | No |
| Prescribe Medicine | Yes (Registered Medical Practitioner) | No |
| Hospital Admission | Yes | No |
| Primary Work | Medical diagnosis, drug therapy, clinical management | Psychological testing, assessment, psychotherapy |
Psychiatry Admission Process
Admission to postgraduate psychiatry programs is determined strictly through national competitive medical entrance examinations followed by centralized counselling. Candidates who complete MBBS appear for NEET PG for general medical colleges and deemed universities, or INI CET for premier national institutes such as AIIMS.
| Qualification | Course Level | Duration | Entrance Exam | Prescribing Rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD (Psychiatry) | Postgraduate Degree | 3 Years | NEET PG / INI CET | Yes |
| DNB (Psychiatry) | Postgraduate Degree (Hospital Route) | 3 Years | NEET PG | Yes |
| DPM (Psychiatry) | Postgraduate Diploma | 2 Years | NEET PG | Yes |
Psychiatry Syllabus and Subjects
- Basic Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology applied to psychiatry.
- Clinical Subjects & Subspecialties: Management of psychotic, mood, anxiety, cognitive (delirium and dementia), and substance-related disorders, alongside child, adolescent, and geriatric psychiatry.
- Practical & Therapeutic Domains: Bedside diagnostic procedures, psychotropic drug therapy, psychotherapeutic interventions, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), and research methodology.
- Course Structure & Eligibility: MD Psychiatry runs for 3 years (6 terms) with a dissertation carrying 5% of final marks, DPM runs for 2 years (4 terms), and 80% annual attendance is mandatory for exams.
MD candidates must complete and submit an accepted dissertation carrying 5% of final marks prior to university examinations. Postgraduate medical trainees are also required to maintain at least 80% attendance in each academic year to remain exam-eligible.
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Psychiatry Fees
At least 454 colleges offer Psychiatry in India, including 131 government colleges and 149 private colleges. Tuition fees vary substantially based on institutional ownership and seat category.
For government medical colleges, the median total course fee is ₹1.42 lakh, with the middle half ranging between ₹75,000 and ₹3.70 lakh (calculated from 119 colleges with fee data). For private medical colleges, the median total course fee is ₹23.85 lakh, with the middle half ranging between ₹15.35 lakh and ₹62.42 lakh (calculated from 127 colleges with fee data).
| Seat Quota Category | Institution Type | Annual Fee Range |
|---|---|---|
| Government Seats (G) | Government Medical Colleges | INR 38,900 – INR 2,63,900 per annum |
| Govt Private Seats (G) | Private Medical Colleges | INR 1,02,786 – INR 7,13,780 per annum |
| Open/Private Seats (GMP/OPN) | Private Medical Colleges | INR 1,58,000 – INR 40,00,000 per annum |
| NRI / Management Quota (Q) | Private / Deemed Universities | INR 1,02,785 – INR 90,15,500 per annum |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi | Delhi | Government | ₹6,050 |
| Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research | Chandigarh | Government | ₹8,510 |
| Sardar Patel Medical College | Bikaner | Government | ₹11,235 |
| Regional Institute of Medical Sciences | Imphal | Government | ₹13,830 |
| Nalanda Medical College | Patna | Government | ₹15,000 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Ajmer | Ajmer | Government | ₹18,150 |
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Government | ₹20,850 |
| Government Medical College Kota | Kota | Government | ₹26,250 |
| Siddhartha Medical College | Vijayawada | Government | ₹30,000 |
| RNT Medical College | Udaipur | Government | ₹35,873 |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi | Delhi | Government | ₹6,050 | 1 (Medical, 2025) |
| Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research | Chandigarh | Government | ₹8,510 | 2 (Medical, 2025) |
| Christian Medical College Vellore | Vellore | Private | — | 3 (Medical, 2025) |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research | Pondicherry | Government | ₹1.03 lakh | 4 (Medical, 2025) |
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Government | ₹20,850 | 6 (Medical, 2025) |
| Kasturba Medical College Manipal | Manipal | Private | ₹70.33 lakh | 10 (Medical, 2025) |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | Average package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Father Muller Medical College | Mangalore | Private | ₹23.49 lakh | 30 LPA |
| Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital | Jaipur | Private | ₹1.38 crore | 15.25 LPA |
| Kasturba Medical College Mangalore | Mangalore | Private | ₹68.94 lakh | 13 LPA |
| St. John’s Medical College | Bangalore | Private | ₹35.10 lakh | 12 LPA |
| Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College | Kolar | Private | ₹91.50 lakh | 11.15 LPA |
| Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences | Bangalore | Private | ₹23.49 lakh | 8.53 LPA |
| JJM Medical College | Davanagere | Private | ₹21.42 lakh | 8 LPA |
| Yenepoya Medical College | Mangalore | Private | ₹1.11 crore | 7.91 LPA |
| Dayanand Medical College and Hospital | Ludhiana | Private | ₹19.89 lakh | 7.88 LPA |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College | Belagavi | Private | — | 7.34 LPA |
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 20 | ₹70,800 – ₹1.97 crore | Madras Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences |
| Bangalore | 18 | ₹2.51 lakh – ₹90.00 lakh | National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences |
| Mangalore | 12 | ₹7.50 lakh – ₹1.11 crore | Nitte University, Yenepoya University Mangalore |
| Pune | 10 | ₹4.31 lakh – ₹1.32 crore | Armed Forces Medical College, Dr. DY Patil Vidyapeeth |
| Jaipur | 10 | ₹51,535 – ₹1.38 crore | SMS Medical College, Jaipur National University |
| Delhi | 9 | ₹6,050 – ₹1.52 lakh | All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, Maulana Azad Medical College |
| Pondicherry | 8 | ₹1.03 lakh – ₹1.17 crore | Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute |
| Kolkata | 8 | ₹36,000 – ₹22.50 lakh | West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Calcutta National Medical College |
Psychiatry Career Scope and Salary
Psychiatrists find career opportunities in government medical colleges, autonomous research institutes, private hospitals, and private practice. Across 41 colleges providing placement data, the median average placement package is 12.0 LPA.
In government health services and medical institutions, salaries are structured under the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) pay matrix. Government medical officers receive Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) at 20% of basic pay, with basic pay plus NPA capped at Rs. 2,37,500 per month. Under Rule 13 of the Central Health Service Rules 2014, medical officers in government service receiving NPA are strictly barred from private practice of any kind.
| Post / Designation | Pay Level | Monthly Basic Pay Range |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Resident (MD Trainee) | Level 10 | Rs. 56,100 |
| Senior Resident (Post-MD) | Level 11 | Rs. 67,700 |
| Assistant Professor | Level 12 | Rs. 1,01,500 – Rs. 1,67,400 |
| Associate Professor | Level 13-A1+ | Rs. 1,38,300 – Rs. 2,09,200 |
| Professor | Level 14-A | Rs. 1,68,900 – Rs. 2,20,400 |
How to Apply for Psychiatry Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Complete Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology: Secure eligible marks in Class 12 PCB to qualify for medical entrance examinations. School psychology cannot replace Biology.
- Clear NEET UG Entrance Examination: Appear for NEET UG conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to get allotted an MBBS seat.
- Complete 4.5 Years of MBBS Degree Coursework: Undergo 4.5 years of undergraduate medical study under the NMC Competency Based Medical Education curriculum.
- Complete 1-Year Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship: Finish 12 months of mandatory rotating internship in a recognized teaching hospital and obtain permanent State Medical Council registration.
- Clear NEET PG Entrance Exam: Appear for NEET PG conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to qualify for postgraduate seat selection.
- Register for PG Counselling via MCC or State Portal: Participate in central counselling via Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for Deemed seats or state counselling bodies like KEA in Karnataka.
- Obtain University Eligibility Certificate and Complete Admission: Submit MBBS degree certificate, marksheets, internship completion certificate, and state registration to join MD or DPM Psychiatry.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Psychiatry colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
The minimum compulsory timeline to become a psychiatrist is 8.5 years, though most students plan for 9 to 10 years including preparation. Candidates must obtain an official university eligibility certificate prior to postgraduate admission.
FAQs
Can I become a therapist or psychiatrist without NEET?
You cannot become a psychiatrist without NEET UG and NEET PG in India because psychiatry requires an MBBS degree. However, you can become a non-medical therapist or clinical psychologist by studying psychology without NEET.
Which is better, MD or DPM in psychiatry?
MD (Psychiatry) is a 3-year postgraduate degree divided into 6 terms and requires a research dissertation carrying 5% of final marks. Postgraduate Diploma in Psychiatry (DPM) spans 2 years divided into 4 terms.
Do psychiatrists earn good money in India?
Yes. Central government Junior Residents earn Rs. 56,100 basic pay, Senior Residents earn Rs. 67,700, and Professors earn up to Rs. 2,20,400 per month, plus 20% Non-Practising Allowance.
Is a psychiatrist required to have an MBBS degree?
Yes. In India, psychiatry is a medical broad speciality. You must hold an MBBS degree and state medical council registration before pursuing an MD or DPM in Psychiatry.
Can a psychologist prescribe medicine in India?
No. Only registered medical practitioners with an MBBS degree and medical council registration, such as psychiatrists, can legally prescribe medications in India.
