Psychiatrist
Physician specialising in the diagnosis, prevention, study and treatment of mental disorders.
Overview
A Psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry, the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders.
Where they work
- Government and Private hospitals
- Clinics
- University Medical Centres
- Community Agencies
- Courts and Prisons
- Nursing Homes
- Industry
- Government
- Rehabilitation Programs
- Emergency rooms
- Hospice Programs
Work environment
Your work timings will typically be 6 or 7 days a week for 9 or 10 hours per day. Shift system is applicable. Entrepreneurship: you can also set up a private practice.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like to help others
- You are comfortable in communicating with others
- You like to analyse problems/situations
- You are an effective listener
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (M.B.B.S)
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree and then pursue a Master's degree (M.Sc.) in Psychiatry.
- 2For admission into MBBS, you must clear entrance exams such as NEET conducted by NTA, NEET PG conducted by NBE, NEET MDS conducted by NBE, AIAPGET conducted by NTA and so on.
Forms, exams and applications
NEET (conducted by NTA), NEET PG and NEET MDS (conducted by NBE), AIAPGET (conducted by NTA) and similar. Check the official notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by the Department of Psychiatry. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan
- Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam
- Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
- Tirunelveli Medical College, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
- Government Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- M P Shah Government Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat
- Sonajirao Kshirsagar Homoeopathic Medical College, Beed, Maharashtra
- Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
- Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan
- St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar, Telangana
- Smt NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- GSL Medical College and General Hospital, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Intern
- 2Junior Psychiatrist
- 3Psychiatrist
- 4Senior Psychiatrist
- 5Head of Psychiatry Department
Related careers to explore
Clinical Psychologist
Assesses and treats mental, emotional and behavioural disorders through counselling and therapy.
Psychological Counsellor/Counselling Psychologist
Helps people of all ages work through problems and make difficult decisions in their lives.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to helping people.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Dr. M. Sarada Menon — An Indian psychiatrist, social worker, and the founder of Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF). She completed her graduation in medicine from Madras Medical College, after which she completed the Diploma in Psychiatric Medicine at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). An Avvaiyar Award recipient, she was a former Madras Medical Service officer and the first woman psychiatrist in India. The Government of India awarded her the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan in 1992 for her contributions to society.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 409 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Psychiatrist/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The printed pathway offers "a Master's degree (M.Sc.) in Psychiatry" after M.B.B.S.; psychiatry in India is normally an M.D. or D.N.B. specialisation. The wording is kept as printed — verify the qualification on the institute's official website.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.