Ph.D Paramedical, also known as Doctor of Philosophy in Paramedical Sciences, is a doctoral degree program offered both on a full-time and a part-time basis. The course aims to provide advanced and specialised theoretical insights and practical skill development opportunities in the field of paramedicine, allowing learners to undertake independent research and build expertise in fields of lab technology, radiography, physiotherapy, and emergency care.
In India, the average PhD Paramedical course fee ranges between INR 2,40,000 to INR 8,00,000. The course duration is typically 3 years but can be extended to a maximum of 6, also, owing to its low demand among the students, the course is only offered at a few Indian colleges, the most prominent of them being the Shyam University and Apex University.
The basic eligibility criteria for Ph.D Paramedical requires a candidate to hold a master's degree in paramedicine or allied health sciences or related disciplines, with a minimum of 55% aggregate score. Admissions are majorly done through entrance exams such as CSIR NET or UGC NET and also includes a personal interview round with the course’s faculty.
Graduates of the course have opportunities to work as Research Associate, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Researcher, Associate Professor, Biomedical Scientist, R&D Consultant & Advisor expert and more with the average entry level salaries ranging from INR 3-6 LPA and experienced professional salaries ranging from INR 12-20+ LPA.
Table of Contents
- Ph.D Paramedical Key Highlights
- What is Ph.D Paramedical?
- Why Study Ph.D Paramedical?
- Who should study Ph.D Paramedical?
- Ph.D Paramedical Eligibility Criteria
- Ph.D Paramedical Entrance Exams 2025
- Ph.D Paramedical Colleges in India
- Ph.D Paramedical Admission Process 2025
- Ph.D Paramedical Syllabus
- Ph.D Paramedical Job Opportunities in India
- Ph.D Paramedical Vs Ph.D Health Sciences Comparison
- Ph.D Paramedical FAQs
Ph.D Paramedical Key Highlights
The key highlights of the PhD Paramedical course is listed below:
What is Ph.D Paramedical?
A Ph.D Paramedical is a 3-6 year doctoral degree that can be pursued on a full-time basis or a part-time one. The course’s syllabus includes core and specialization-specific subjects that allow learners to become proficient in various strategies and methodologies for conducting effective research in various aspects and components of paramedicine.
The course curriculum can be described as multidisciplinary and research-oriented and aims to equip learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, and training in the areas of Medical Laboratory and Life Sciences, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Radiology, Emergency and Trauma Care, or Health Informatics and Behavioral Health.
The first year of the course is entirely focused on the completion of a mandatory coursework, followed by the second and third years, which consists of the selection of a supervisor, the drafting of a research proposal, and, ultimately, the preparation of a thesis to defend the independent research undertaken utilizing proper evidences, data and facts.
Why Study Ph.D Paramedical?
A PhD Paramedical is a transformative and career advancing research program in the realm of healthcare and paramedicine, while being a rather niche topic of study with extremely limited universities offering it in India. The following are the key reasons for enrolling in this course in 2025:
- Prestigious and lucrative job roles: A Ph.D Paramedical is literally the highest level of educational qualification that one can hold, and with its curriculum being highly analytical, practical, and research oriented, course graduates are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and be hired in lucrative senior level positions.
- Financial assistance: Individuals pursuing this course frequently receive financial assistance from the Indian government in the form of fellowship programs, which generally ranges from INR 30,000 - INR 50,000 per month. They are, however , required to crack certain competitive exams to be eligible for such schemes.
- Networking opportunities: Seminars and workshops are an integral part of the Ph.D Paramedical curriculum, and these initiatives provide learners with direct access to academic mentors, fellow researchers, and industry experts, enabling them to build effective professional ties with time.
- Facilitates healthcare innovation: Students of the program are taught to carry out an effective research, allowing them to master skills such as data analysis, data collection, research design and biostatistics, qualifying them to contribute to healthcare inventions.
Who should study Ph.D Paramedical?
The curriculum for the 3-year PhD Paramedical program is highly practical and analytical and follows a multidisciplinary and research-oriented approach to learning. As a result, the ideal candidates for this course are those who:
- Holds PG degrees in Paramedicine, Allied Health Science or related fields with a minimum of 50% aggregate score.
- Are working professionals in the field who wish to advance to more senior, authoritative and leadership roles.
- Are passionate researchers who want to undertake original research in paramedicine or a similar discipline.
- Are tech and innovation enthusiasts who aim to contribute to innovation efforts in the fields of telerehabilitation, prosthetics, and diagnostics.
- Are fresh graduates or seasoned professionals looking to transition into teaching or education professions.
Ph.D Paramedical Eligibility Criteria
The PhD Paramedical eligibility criteria vary by college and are either merit-based or entrance-based, requiring the interested candidate to satisfy specific conditions to be eligible to apply. Provided below is the detailed breakdown of these conditions:
- The candidate must have a minimum of 55% score in a postgraduate degree completed in Paramedicine, Allied Health Science or related fields.
- The candidate must also qualify the relevant entrance exam like the UGC NET or CSIR NET.
- Only the PG degrees completed from a recognized university are acceptable.
- In some colleges, 5% merit score relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories.
- A personal interview round is also conducted in almost all the colleges as the final step of admission.
Ph.D Paramedical Entrance Exams 2025
The majority of admissions to this research program are based entirely on an entrance based criteria, requiring candidates to pass the relevant state or university level entrance exam. The essential details of the few widely recognized Ph.D Paramedical entrance exams are as follows:
Check for another specialization PhD Clinical Research
Ph.D Paramedical Colleges in India
Not many colleges in India offer a Ph.D Paramedical course, owing to its low demand and a lack of adequate infrastructure to teach this practical research-oriented curriculum. The table below contains the leading colleges that offer this course, along with certain course-specific key details:
Ph.D Paramedical Admission Process 2025
The admission process for enrolling in a PhD Paramedical course is nearly identical across all colleges, with the exception of whether admissions are merit-based or entrance-based. Apex University, however, uses an entrance-based process that involves the following steps:
Step 1: The candidate must appear for the relevant state level Ph.D Paramedical entrance exam, either UGC NET or CSIR NET. Wait for the results and download the official scorecard of the same.
Step 2: Start applying at the Apex University by registering at https://admissions.apexuniversity.co.in/ using name, email address and mobile number. Also, enter the name of the course that the candidate wants to apply for.
Step 3: Verify the mobile number and click on “register”, the candidate will receive a unique ID and password through his/her registered email address. Use that to login at https://erp.apexedu.org/.
Step 4: The candidate will be able to view the application form, fill the same by entering all the personal, academic, entrance exam and work experience details. Also, upload the scanned copies of the relevant documents requested.
Step 5: Pay the non-refundable application form fee though Net Banking/ Debit Card/ Credit Card and click on “submit”.
Step 6: The university will review all the applications received for the course and will shortlist candidates on the basis of their entrance exam and master’s degree scores.
Step 7: The shortlisted candidates will be called in for a personal interview round with the course’s faculty and the schedule of the same would be sent to them via their registered email address.
Step 8: After the interview, wait for the university to release the merit list. The list contains the name of the candidates shortlisted to pursue the 3-year Ph.D Paramedical program on the basis of their merit and entrance scores and their performance in the interview.
Step 9: Shortlisted candidates receive a provisional admission letter and they are required to complete a few basic formalities mentioned in the same to confirm their seat in the course.
Documents Required:
- 10th marksheet and passing certificate issued by the board.
- 12th marksheet and passing certificate issued by the board.
- School Leaving Certificate
- Bachelor’s Marksheet
- Bachelor’s Passing Certificate
- Master’s Marksheet
- Master’s Passing Certificate
- Provisional Certificate
- Coloured Passport Size Photographs
- Entrance Exam Admit Card
- Entrance Exam Scorecard
- Caste Certificate (If applicable)
- Identity Proof issued by the government (Aadhar Card/PAN Card/Passport, etc.)
- Work Experience documents
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Ph.D Paramedical Syllabus
It should be noted that, while a detailed semester wise breakdown of the PhD Paramedical syllabus is not explicitly published on the websites of the colleges offering it, the course curriculum at Shyam University follows UGC guidelines and is spread across the 3-year period in the following manner:
Ph.D Paramedical Job Opportunities in India
Despite being a very complex and niche course of study, PhD paramedical is a highly relevant subject, with graduates in great demand across a variety of prominent and senior-level job roles. Some of the most sought-after Ph.D Paramedical jobs are given below, along with their top recruiter and average salary details:
Ph.D Paramedical Vs Ph.D Health Sciences Comparison
Aside from a PhD Paramedical, a PhD Health Science is a wonderful course for public health or health science enthusiasts, and while they are closely related in that they both belong to the medical and healthcare fields, they differ greatly in terms of scope. The main differences between the two can be analyzed using the comparison table provided below:
Ph.D Paramedical FAQs
Which master’s degrees are accepted for a PhD Paramedical program?
To be eligible to apply for the PhD Paramedical program, individuals must have completed a 1-2 year master's degree in paramedicine, allied health sciences or related fields. In this regard, some commonly accepted degrees for the course include an M.Phil in radiology/ physiotherapy/ medical lab technology, an MSc in Nursing or Public Health, M.Pharm, MD degrees and more.
What are some of the popular topics on which research can be carried out under the PhD Paramedical curriculum?
Students pursuing a Ph.D Paramedical program must conduct an independent research on a specific aspect or a component chosen from paramedicine or related fields. Some typical areas in which they can do so include medical diagnostics and imaging technology, radiology, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, telemedicine, public health and operational research, healthcare technology and biomedical data science, and others.
What are the specialization specific subjects covered under the PhD Paramedical syllabus?
Aside from the mandatory coursework, students must also complete certain specialization-specific courses under the Ph.D Paramedical program, which typically include subjects such as Advanced Hematology and Clinical Pathology, Advanced Neuro-Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Radiation Physics and Protection, Advanced Trauma Life Support, Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, and more. Generally, students are given the choice of selecting 1-2 subjects relevant to their research area from a list of topics.
Are there any internship or training opportunities available under the PhD Paramedical curriculum?
Training and internships are crucial and mandatory components of the PhD Paramedical course curriculum. Internships under this course are typically more clinical and research-oriented, whereas training includes opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn from industry experts and fellow researchers through webinars, seminars, skill-building workshops, and specialized short-term training courses.
What are the major differences between a full time and a part time PhD Paramedical program?
The major difference between a full-time and part-time PhD Paramedical program is in terms of their durations and time commitment. A part-time PhD Paramedical course is ideal for working professionals who do not want to take a career break to pursue advanced studies. Such a program lasts approximately 4-6 years and requires less time commitment (10-20 hours per week), whereas a full-time PhD Paramedical course demands at least 35 hours per week but can be completed in 3 years.
Is it really worth pursuing a PhD Paramedical program as it is an extremely niche field of study?
Yes, despite being an extremely niche field of study, PhD Paramedical graduates are always in demand across national and even international medical industries for their unique, holistic, and transferable skill set, which includes subject matter expertise, analytical and problem-solving abilities, resilience and adaptability, and project and time management skills.
