How To Become a Psychologist in India?

How To Become a Psychologist in India: What is Psychology?

In Layman's terms, ‘Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior' Psychologists are actively interested in researching and comprehending how the mind, the brain, and behavior work.  Some of the important Psychology Course Highlights are tabulated below:

Check Also: BA Psychology Subjects. 

How To Become a Psychologist in India:  Eligibility

For Undergraduate Courses

1. Candidates must have undertaken or passed the Class 12 Board exam or have received an equivalent education from the state or national education board in India to be eligible for UG psychology courses.
2. The aspiring candidates must have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% or above to appear for undergraduate courses.
3. The aspiring candidate must focus on clearing the entrance exams in order to get enrolled in undergraduate programs in top colleges.
4. The candidates can enroll in undergraduate BA or B.Sc courses. In order to get a strong understanding of the topic and a specialization in it, students can also register for other courses like certificate or diploma programs.
5. Before choosing any Undergraduate course, students should focus on different subjects and the overall syllabus of Psychology such as: Prejudice and Discrimination, Attention and Perception, Behavioural patterns, and emotions.
6. All candidates, including those in the arts, science, and commerce, are eligible for admission to psychology courses.

For Post Graduate Courses

After clearing Graduation, students can begin studying for entrance tests to enroll in postgraduate programs.

1. Candidates must select their field of expertise based on their preferences or where they wish to work as psychologists. For Example, child psychologists, industrial psychologists, clinical psychologists, perpetual psychologists, counselors, etc.
2. In order to obtain experience outside of the classroom while attending college, individuals might opt to seek paid or unpaid internships.
3. If a candidate wishes to work as a clinical psychologist, they can pursue further doctoral studies after completing the postgraduate program.

Further Reading: MSc Psychology Course and  MSc Psychology Distance Education.

How To Become a Psychologist in India: Skills Required 

The mind has no boundaries; the field in which a psychologist works has no limitations, and the skills they learn can be used for their patients or other disciplines. In today's times, psychologists are very much in demand due to the increase in stress, work pressure, and competition that is prevalent in every field. The following skills are required in order to qualify as a psychologist in India-

1. Strong Communication Skills: Psychologists are expected to have excellent communication skills in order to effectively convey their messages, assist patients who are experiencing behavioral and mental health problems, and facilitate open dialogue.
2. Analytical Mind: To correctly diagnose their patients, psychologists need a systematic account.
3. Empathy: One must have the drive to assist people who are struggling to overcome behavioral and mental obstacles.
4. Patience: Patience is a virtue because psychologists occasionally have to handle exceptionally challenging situations. Despite their everyday hardships, they must always have a strong determination and passion.
5. Listening and Observing Skills: The desire to assist patients in overcoming their mental obstacles.

How To Become a Psychologist in India: Top Entrance Exams

The top entrance exams for Psychology courses are as follows-

1. Jammu University Entrance Test (JUET)
2. Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU PET)
3. Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET)
4. Central University Entrance Test (CUET)
5. Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam (JMI)
6. Manipal University Online Entrance Test (MU OET)

How To Become a Psychologist in India: Top Colleges in India 

Mentioned below are the best colleges of Psychology in India-

Difference between Psychologist and Psychiatrist

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Various Types of Psychology

Psychology is a vast field with many categories in it, such as Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Developmental psychology, and so on. Here are the different types of Psychology courses that can be pursued in India:

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is also the branch of psychology that deals with examining and treating mental illness, mental state abnormalities, and psychiatric problems. In psychology, the psychologist integrates the science of psychology to treat complexions of human problems. Hence, it makes psychology an exciting area of choice for people looking forward to a challenging and exciting field. The average starting salary of Clinical Psychologists is INR 30,000-40,000 per month

Neuropsychology

A neuropsychologist is qualified to diagnose and assist those who struggle with memory, planning, language, reasoning, and other learning and understanding-related skills. Another element that might impact someone's psyche and capacity for information processing is fatigue. Even though central brain issues are uncommon in most mental diseases, the major difficulty for neuropsychology is comprehending anomalous behavior in terms of impaired memory processing in the brain. Instead of brain injury, this is more likely to be connected to the dysfunction of certain brain systems. The average starting salary of Neuropsychologists is INR 40,000-60,000 per month

How to become a Clinical Psychologist in India?

1. The first step is that you take Psychology as a subject in 12th or during graduation. It is important to know that Psychology can be pursued in the Humanities as well as the Science stream (Biology).
2. The two-course options available for bachelor's degrees are BA (Hons) Psychology and BA (Hons) Applied Psychology.
3. The final step involves Post Graduation. The curriculum entails almost 4-5 practicals in each semester. You will have regular visits to hospitals and private clinics. 
4. You must complete a paper on the subject of your choice during the final semester, with the help of your lecturer. A paper is essentially an in-depth analysis of a certain topic.

Counselling Psychology

The field of psychology known as counseling psychology includes study and practical work in a number of major areas, including counseling process and results, supervision and training, career development and counseling, and health and prevention. The average starting salary of Counselling Psychologists is INR 35,000-50,000 per month.

How to Become a Counselor Psychologist?

1. While there aren't many courses for counselors, the first step is that you take Psychology as a subject in 12th or during graduation. It is important to know that Psychology can be pursued in the Humanities as well as the Science stream (Biology).
2. The next steps remain the same as to become a clinical psychologist.
3. The two-course options available for bachelor's degrees are BA (Hons) Psychology and BA (Hons) Applied Psychology.
4. The final step involves post-graduation in counseling psychology.
5. You must complete a paper on the subject of your choice during the final semester, with the help of your lecturer. A paper is essentially an in-depth analysis of a certain topic.

Educational Psychology

The majority of educational psychologists work in educational settings, where they offer advice to students who require it. Additionally, they guide the teachers to present lessons in a very polite manner. It has become a major problem how teachers are using strict teaching methods and not assisting students to handle the problems that are currently present in the society. The study of educational psychology aids in the improvement of teacher training. A teacher must also impart to his pupils an understanding of their mental capacities and states of mind. The average starting salary of Educational Psychologists is INR 20,000-40,000 per month

How Do I Become an Educational Psychologist in India?

• A doctorate degree in psychology or applied psychology is required to work as an educational psychologist.
• To begin a career as an educational psychologist, one might earn a bachelor's degree in psychology.
• Following the three-year psychology bachelor's degree, there are several chances to pursue an MA in applied psychology.

Follow the steps below to becomes a psychologist in India: 

1. Get a bachelor's degree in Psychology

A bachelor's degree in psychology with honors is available as a component of a bachelor's degree in arts or sciences, giving you a solid grounding for your future profession. You are free to choose your bachelor's degree that aligns with your background or interest. However, a B.A in psychology will be a better choice because it will clear your basic concepts of human behavior. 

2. Earn a specialization with a master's degree

A Master's degree is instrumental in giving you the advanced knowledge of the discipline. B.A in Psychology is just a rudimentary overview. A two-year postgraduate degree in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, development psychology, counseling psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, and social psychology is available for both Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) programs.

3. Go for a doctorate degree

It is the highest degree you will can achieve in the field. The degree will open avenues for you. You can delve deep into research work or start your own practice. 

Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology

The study of how the mind processes information is known as cognitive psychology. It has to do with how we take in information from the outside world and interpret it. Research, instruction, and treatment are the three areas of life that cognitive psychologists primarily concentrate on. They are just required to focus on these three fundamental principles: treatment, instruction, or study of various ideas. The average starting salary of Cognitive Psychologists is INR 30,000-40,000 per month

A branch of psychology called developmental psychology uses a scientific method to explain how people grow, change, and remain consistent over the course of their lives. Developmental psychology describes how a person's thinking, mood, and behaviour evolve over the course of their lifetime. Since childhood is where most change happens, a substantial number of theories in this field focus more on the development of the kid throughout this period. The average starting salary of a developmental psychologist is INR 20,000-40,000 per month.

Forensic Psychology

One of the biggest crises in society, particularly in densely populated cities, is crime. No matter how much we would like to live in a peaceful, crime-free world, we can probably not expect this anytime soon. Typically, forensic psychology is crucial at crime sites. One of the scientific techniques for examining the crime or the criminal may be classified as "forensic." The combination of law and psychology is another way to define forensic psychology. The average starting salary of a developmental psychologist is INR 40,000-60,000 per month.

How to become a Forensic Psychologist?

The minimum requirement to become a forensic psychologist is to complete your bachelor's degree. It can be in psychology, criminal justice, or forensic psychology (3-4 years).

1. The next step is to gain a master's degree in forensic psychology which provides a comprehensive outlook on psychology and criminal justice.
2. You can obtain experience working for a legal firm, a rehabilitation facility, or the judiciary. It aids in exposing this field's difficulties and legal procedures. You wank also look for work opportunities in Non-Governmental Organisations.
3. If you wish to study more about the field then, you can go for a PhD and conclude it with a research project.

Geriatric Psychology

Geriatric psychology is concerned with the mental, emotional, and physical issues that older people encounter. This sometimes entails studying and analyzing various issues that could arise as being someone near the end of their life in old age.

Scope for Psychology in India

Psychology is one of the subjects with the fastest growth rates in India. The students should consider doing an internship before they earn their psychology degree. Psychologists work in multiple fields, such as the following ones-

1. Governmental Institutions
2. Care Facilities
3. Clinics and Hospitals
4. Treatment Facilities
5. Administration in Consulting Firms (Mental Health Professional)
6. Schools, Colleges, and Institutes for Further Studies
7. Companies and Marketing Agencies
8. Non-Government Organisations (Mental Health Social Worker)

Famous Psychologists In India

Many young Indians get inspiration from top-tier psychologists who live and work in India. They have succeeded in making psychology a relevant subject in India at such a level that people now take mental health concerns seriously. A list of the most prestigious and highly achieved psychologists in India is provided below-

1. Dr.Subin Vazhayil
2. Dr.Kamna Chhibber
3. Dr.Vipul Rastogi
4. Dr.N Rangarajan
5. Dr.Rashi Bijlani
6. Dr.Mimansa Singh
7. Dr.Shilpa Aggarwal