MD Psychiatry is a comprehensive three-year postgraduate medical program specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. This specialty focuses on understanding the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors that influence mental health. Psychiatrists are medical doctors trained to provide comprehensive mental healthcare, including psychotherapy, medication management, and various therapeutic interventions for patients across all age groups.
The field of psychiatry has evolved significantly with advances in neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and therapeutic approaches. MD Psychiatry graduates gain expertise in treating conditions ranging from common disorders like depression and anxiety to complex conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. They play a crucial role in addressing the growing mental health crisis and promoting psychological well-being in society.
MD Psychiatry Course Highlights
| Course Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | MD Psychiatry |
| Course Level | Postgraduate (Master’s Degree) |
| Course Type | MD CLINICAL |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Examination Type | Theory, Clinical, Case Presentations, and Dissertation |
| Eligibility | MBBS + Internship + NEET PG Qualification |
| Admission Process | NEET PG Based Counseling |
| Total Colleges/Hospitals | 340 |
| Total Seats | 1364 |
| Course Fee | Government Quota Tuition Fees: ₹ 1150/Year – ₹ 3300000/Year Management Quota Tuition Fees: ₹ 181910/Year – ₹ 7728000/Year NRI Quota Tuition Fees: $ 26317/Year -₹ 9660000/Year |
| Average Starting Salary | ₹8-18 Lakhs per annum |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Hospitals, Mental Health Centers, Rehabilitation Centers |
| Job Positions | Psychiatrist, Consultant, Therapist, Professor |
Why Study MD Psychiatry?
- Growing Mental Health Awareness: Increasing recognition of mental health importance creates expanding career opportunities and social impact.
- Diverse Treatment Modalities: Combination of medical treatment, psychotherapy, and behavioral interventions provides comprehensive patient care approaches.
- High Patient Satisfaction: Helping patients overcome mental health challenges and improve quality of life offers immense professional fulfillment.
- Flexible Practice Options: Opportunities for private practice, hospital employment, research, and various therapeutic settings.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working with psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other healthcare professionals in team-based care.
- Research Opportunities: Extensive scope for research in neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and innovative therapeutic approaches.
- Subspecialty Development: Emerging subspecialties like addiction psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and child psychiatry offer specialized career paths.
- Work-Life Balance: Generally regular working hours with scheduled appointments, though emergency situations may arise.
- Global Recognition: Skills are internationally recognized with opportunities for practice and collaboration worldwide.
- Preventive Mental Healthcare: Focus on early intervention and prevention of mental health disorders benefits communities long-term.
MD Psychiatry Admission Process 2025
The MD Psychiatry admission process for 2025 follows the standard NEET PG examination and counseling system. Psychiatry has moderate competition with reasonable seat availability across government and private medical colleges, making it accessible to candidates with good NEET PG scores while maintaining quality standards for mental healthcare training.
The admission process begins with NEET PG registration in December 2024, followed by the examination in March 2025. Results are typically declared in April 2025, after which eligible candidates register for counseling. The Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) conducts All India Quota counseling, while state quota seats are managed through respective state counseling authorities.
During counseling, candidates fill their college and specialty preferences based on their NEET PG rank, category, and seat availability. Multiple counseling rounds ensure optimal seat utilization, with document verification required before final admission confirmation. The program typically begins in August 2025, with orientation focusing on mental health principles, patient interaction skills, and ethical considerations in psychiatric practice.
MD Psychiatry Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: MBBS degree from Medical Council of India or National Medical Commission recognized medical college.
- Internship Completion: Mandatory completion of a one-year rotating internship before applying for MD Psychiatry program.
- Medical Registration: Valid permanent or provisional registration with Medical Council of India or the respective State Medical Council.
- NEET PG Qualification: Must qualify for the NEET PG examination with a valid scorecard for postgraduate medical program admission.
- No Age Limit: There is no defined age limit for the candidates who wish to apply for NEET PG 2025.
- Mental Health Interest: Demonstrated interest in mental health, psychology, or related fields preferred for psychiatry specialization.
- Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for effective patient interaction and therapeutic relationships.
- Emotional Stability: Psychological resilience and emotional maturity are required for handling challenging mental health cases.
- Foreign Medical Graduates: FMGE qualification mandatory for candidates with foreign medical degrees seeking admission in India.
- Character Certificate: Good conduct certificate demonstrating professional integrity and suitability for mental healthcare practice.
MD Psychiatry Entrance Exams
| Exam | Registration Period | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| NEET PG | April 17, 2025 – May 7, 2025 | August 3rd, 2025 |
| INI CET | March 2025 – April 2025 | January Session: Nov 9, 2025 July Session: May 17th, 2025 |
MD Psychiatry Syllabus Semester Wise
First Year (Semester I & II)
Basic Psychiatry and Mental Health Foundations
- History and principles of psychiatry and mental health
- Neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and biological basis of behavior
- Psychiatric examination and mental status assessment techniques
- Classification systems: DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria
- Basic psychopharmacology and psychiatric medications
- Introduction to psychotherapy techniques and therapeutic communication
Second Year (Semester III & IV)
Clinical Psychiatry and Major Mental Disorders
- Mood disorders: depression, bipolar disorder, and related conditions
- Anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and stress management
- Psychotic disorders including schizophrenia and delusional disorders
- Personality disorders and their therapeutic management approaches
- Substance use disorders and addiction psychiatry principles
- Child and adolescent psychiatry including developmental disorders
Third Year (Semester V & VI)
Advanced Psychiatry and Specialized Care
- Geriatric psychiatry and age-related mental health issues
- Consultation-liaison psychiatry and medical-psychiatric interface
- Emergency psychiatry and crisis intervention techniques
- Forensic psychiatry and legal aspects of mental healthcare
- Research methodology in psychiatry and evidence-based practice
- Dissertation completion and specialized clinical rotations
MD Psychiatry Top Colleges
| Name of Institute | Intake | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| NIMHANS Bangalore | 12 | ₹4,00,000 |
| AIIMS New Delhi | 10 | ₹2,00,000 |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | 8 | ₹3,50,000 |
| JIPMER Puducherry | 6 | ₹2,50,000 |
| MAMC New Delhi | 8 | ₹2,75,000 |
| KEM Hospital Mumbai | 6 | ₹3,00,000 |
| CMC Vellore | 6 | ₹12,00,000 |
| LTMMC Mumbai | 7 | ₹2,80,000 |
| IPGMER Kolkata | 6 | ₹3,00,000 |
| GMCH Chandigarh | 5 | ₹3,25,000 |
Statewise MD Psychiatry Seats
| State | Total Colleges | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 42 | 174 |
| Maharashtra | 37 | 137 |
| Tamil Nadu | 31 | 116 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 32 | 110 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 28 | 104 |
| Rajasthan | 15 | 77 |
| Telangana | 19 | 69 |
| Delhi | 7 | 69 |
| Gujarat | 18 | 66 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 16 | 59 |
| Kerala | 21 | 59 |
| West Bengal | 13 | 43 |
| Assam | 6 | 35 |
| Jharkhand | 2 | 35 |
| Uttarakhand | 3 | 32 |
| Puducherry | 8 | 28 |
| Haryana | 6 | 23 |
| Odisha | 6 | 23 |
| Chandigarh | 2 | 19 |
| JammuKashmir | 3 | 18 |
| Punjab | 5 | 16 |
| Chhattisgarh | 6 | 14 |
| Bihar | 6 | 14 |
| Goa | 1 | 8 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | 5 |
| Manipur | 2 | 5 |
| Sikkim | 1 | 3 |
| Tripura | 1 | 3 |
Quota Wise MD Psychiatry 2024 Closing Score Cut off
| Quota | Description | Closing NEET PG 2024 Score | Starting NEET PG 2023 Score | Closing NEET PG 2023 Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIQ | All India Counselling | 623 | 169 | 623 |
| AMU | Aligarh Muslim University Counselling | 540 | 515 | 540 |
| BHQ | Banaras Hindu University PG Counselling | 386 | 386 | 386 |
| DUQ | Delhi University – Internal Counselling | 570 | 360 | 570 |
| IPQ | Indraprastha University Counselling | 620 | 421 | 620 |
| MNQ | Deemed Universities Counselling | 534 | 259 | 534 |
| MQ | Management Quota Counselling | 566 | 180 | 566 |
| NRI | Non Resident Indian (NRI) Counselling | 417 | 93 | 417 |
| OPMQ | Open State Counselling | 493 | 214 | 493 |
| SQ | State Counselling | 631 | 120 | 631 |
What After MD Psychiatry?
After completing MD Psychiatry, graduates have diverse career opportunities in mental healthcare across various settings. The immediate option is joining psychiatric departments in hospitals or establishing private practice clinics specializing in mental health services. Many graduates pursue additional training in subspecialties like addiction psychiatry, child psychiatry, or geriatric psychiatry to enhance their expertise and career prospects.
Academic careers provide opportunities in medical colleges as faculty members, with potential progression from Assistant Professor to senior positions including departmental leadership and research coordination roles. Government sector employment through various health services offers job security and opportunities to work in mental health programs, community psychiatry, and public health initiatives.
Healthcare administration roles in mental health organizations, psychiatric hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies focusing on psychiatric drug development utilize the specialized knowledge gained during psychiatric training. Some graduates also explore opportunities in forensic psychiatry, military psychiatry, or international mental health organizations working in global mental health initiatives.
MD Psychiatry Jobs
| Job Profiles | Job Descriptions | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Consultant Psychiatrist | Hospital-based practice, mental health consultation, treatment planning | ₹12-30 Lakhs |
| Private Practice Psychiatrist | Independent clinic, psychotherapy, medication management, counseling | ₹15-40 Lakhs |
| Child Psychiatrist | Pediatric mental health, developmental disorders, family therapy | ₹18-35 Lakhs |
| Assistant Professor | Medical college teaching, psychiatric resident training, research | ₹10-18 Lakhs |
| Government Medical Officer | District hospitals, mental health programs, community psychiatry | ₹8-15 Lakhs |
| Addiction Specialist | Substance abuse treatment, rehabilitation centers, detoxification programs | ₹15-25 Lakhs |
| Forensic Psychiatrist | Legal consultations, court assessments, criminal justice system | ₹20-40 Lakhs |
| Corporate Mental Health Advisor | Employee assistance programs, workplace wellness, stress management | ₹18-30 Lakhs |
MD Psychiatry Admission FAQ’s
A. You must have completed an MBBS degree from an MCI/NMC-recognized medical college and completed the compulsory internship before the admission process. A valid NEET-PG score is mandatory.
A. Direct admission is not possible in government medical colleges. However, in deemed and private medical universities, admission can be secured through management quota or NRI quota seats, based on NEET-PG qualification.
A. Cut-offs vary by quota and college. For 2024, government seats closed around 620+ scores (AIQ), while private and deemed universities had lower cut-offs ranging between 530–570 marks.
A. It is a 3-year postgraduate program involving clinical training, research, seminars, and thesis work. The course covers general psychiatry, child psychiatry, addiction medicine, psychotherapy, and community psychiatry.
A. Graduates can work as consultant psychiatrists, join hospitals, medical colleges, rehabilitation centers, NGOs, or start a private practice. Super-specializations like DM Addiction Psychiatry or DM Child & Adolescent Psychiatry are also available.
A. Seats are filled under All India Quota, State Quota, Management Quota, NRI Quota, and Deemed University quota depending on the college type. Each has a different cut-off score requirement.