MD Psychiatry: Syllabus, Salary, Admission 2025, Fees, Eligibility, Colleges in India, Jobs and Scope

Updated on Mar 24, 2025

Shivam Kumar

MD Psychiatry or better called Doctor of Medicine in Psychiatry is a 3-year postgraduate medical program focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. The course equips students with in-depth knowledge of psychiatric disorders, psychotherapy techniques, pharmacological interventions, and research methodologies in mental health.

The eligibility criteria for MD Psychiatry is the candidate must have completed an MBBS degree through a recognized university. Admission to the MD Psychiatry course is based on the entrance exams and a valid NEET-PG score.

The average MD Psychiatry fees ranges from INR 80,000 – 25,00,000, depending on the institute chosen by the candidate.

In terms of the Job aspect, the MD Psychiatry course opens up various job opportunities, students can pursue various job profiles like Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Consultant Psychiatrist, Researcher, Mental Health Expert. Also, the average pay range after completing MD Psychiatry is between INR 8,00,000 – 25,00,000.

MD Psychiatry Course Highlights

Provided below are the basic highlights for the course MD Psychiatry:

Details	Particulars
Course Name	Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Psychiatry
Course Level	Postgraduate
Duration	3 Years / 6 Semesters
Course Type	Full-Time (Clinical)
Recognition	National Medical Commission (NMC)
Eligibility Criteria	MBBS degree with internship completion & valid NEET-PG score
Course Fees	INR 80,000 – 25,00,000 per year (depending on government or private institute)
Key Subjects	Neuropsychiatry, Clinical Psychiatry, Psychopharmacology, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Community Psychiatry
Top Colleges	AIIMS Delhi, NIMHANS Bangalore, PGIMER Chandigarh, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal), CMC Vellore
Job Profiles	Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Consultant Psychiatrist, Researcher, Mental Health Expert
Top Recruiters	Government Hospitals, Private Hospitals, NGOs, Research Institutes, Private Practice
Average Salary in India	INR 8,00,000 – 25,00,000 per annum

Why Study MD Psychiatry?

High Demand: With rising awareness about mental health, psychiatrists are in increasing demand in India and globally.
Diverse Career Options: Opportunities to work in clinical settings, research, teaching, public health, and counseling sectors.
Critical Impact: Psychiatrists contribute significantly to the well-being of individuals suffering from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and addiction.
Growing Global Opportunities: MD Psychiatry opens doors to practice abroad, especially in countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East.
Interdisciplinary Exposure: The course combines medicine with psychology, sociology, and pharmacology, making it a highly engaging field.

MD Psychiatry Eligibility

MBBS degree from an institute recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Completion of a one-year compulsory internship before the commencement of MD.

A valid NEET-PG 2025 score (minimum 50th percentile for general category and 40th percentile for reserved categories).

Registration with State Medical Council/Medical Council of India is mandatory.

MD Psychiatry Entrance Exam

Admission to MD Psychiatry is primarily through the NEET-PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate Courses). Below are details for 2025:

Exam Name	Application Date (Tentative)	Exam Date (Tentative)	Application Fee
NEET-PG 2025	January – February 2025	April 2025	INR 4250 (General/OBC) / INR 3250 (SC/ST/PwD)

Some institutes like AIIMS and NIMHANS conduct their own entrance assessments and interviews in addition to NEET-PG score consideration.

MD Psychiatry Colleges in India

Here are some of the top institutes offering MD Psychiatry in India as per real-time 2025 data:

College Name	Location	Fees (Approx.)	Entrance Exam
AIIMS Delhi	New Delhi	INR 80,000 – 1,00,000 per year	INI-CET / NEET-PG + Interview
NIMHANS Bangalore	Bangalore	INR 30,000 – 40,000 per year	NIMHANS Entrance + NEET-PG
PGIMER Chandigarh	Chandigarh	INR 25,000 – 35,000 per year	INI-CET / NEET-PG
Kasturba Medical College (Manipal)	Manipal	INR 24,00,000 – 25,00,000 total	NEET-PG
Christian Medical College (CMC Vellore)	Vellore	INR 1,50,000 – 2,00,000 per year	NEET-PG + CMC Vellore Test
King George’s Medical University (KGMU)	Lucknow	INR 80,000 – 1,20,000 per year	NEET-PG

MD Psychiatry Admission Process 2025

The admission process of MD Psychiatry may differ depending on the institution the candidate has selected. To give a general idea to the candidate about the admission process, we have listed the admissions process of NIMHANS Bangalore below.

Eligibility Check: Must have completed MBBS and internship with MCI registration.

Entrance Application: Apply on the official NIMHANS website (March – April 2025).

Exam Process: Appear for NIMHANS Online Entrance Test followed by a counseling/interview round.

Final Admission: Selected candidates will be admitted based on merit combining NEET-PG score + NIMHANS Entrance performance.

Commencement: MD Psychiatry at NIMHANS usually begins in August 2025.

NIMHANS is globally known for its research and specialization in mental health sciences.

MD Psychiatry Syllabus

Listed below are some subjects taken from the curriculum of AIIMS Delhi, to give students a simple syllabus from AIIMS Delhi, which is widely followed by top medical institutions offering MD Psychiatry:

Subjects	Subjects
General Psychiatry	Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology	Substance Abuse and Addiction Psychiatry
Basics of Psychology and Psychopathology	Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
Introduction to Psychopharmacology	Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Research Methodology & Biostatistics	Community Psychiatry & Public Mental Health
Clinical Case Presentations & Journal Clubs	Seminars & Dissertation Work
Short-term Psychiatry Postings	In-patient Psychiatry Rotations
Geriatric Psychiatry	Forensic Psychiatry & Ethics
Advanced Psychotherapy Techniques	Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Psychosomatic Medicine	Dissertation Submission

MD Psychiatry Job Opportunities and Salaries

MD Psychiatry opens doors to various high-paying positions across healthcare, research, and education sectors.

Job Profile	Experience	Top Recruiters	Average Salary (INR)
Consultant Psychiatrist	0-5 Years	Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare	10,00,000 – 20,00,000
Clinical Psychiatrist	0-3 Years	AIIMS, NIMHANS, Govt. Hospitals	8,00,000 – 15,00,000
Academic / Researcher	0-5 Years	Medical Colleges, WHO, ICMR Projects	8,00,000 – 12,00,000
Forensic Psychiatrist	2-6 Years	Govt. Forensic Labs, Defense Services	9,00,000 – 18,00,000
Private Practice	Independent	Self-employed / Freelance	12,00,000 – 25,00,000 (variable)
Mental Health NGO Specialist	1-4 Years	WHO, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières	7,00,000 – 14,00,000

MD Psychiatry FAQs

Is MD Psychiatry considered a clinical or non-clinical branch?

MD Psychiatry is a clinical branch as it involves direct patient care, diagnosis, and management of psychiatric disorders.

What is the difference between MD Psychiatry and DNB Psychiatry?

Both degrees are equivalent and recognized by the NMC, but MD Psychiatry is awarded by medical colleges/universities, while DNB Psychiatry is offered by National Board of Examinations (NBE) accredited hospitals.

Can I work abroad after MD Psychiatry in India?

Yes, but you may need to clear USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), or other region-specific licensing exams depending on the country.

Which hospital is best for MD Psychiatry internship?

Institutes like NIMHANS, AIIMS, PGIMER, and CMC Vellore provide the most reputed internships with exposure to complex psychiatric cases.

Is Psychiatry a stressful career?

Like all medical fields, psychiatry can be demanding, but it is also highly rewarding, especially for professionals passionate about mental health and patient care.

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