The National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD) is an autonomous institution under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Established to promote education, rehabilitation, research, and professional training in the field of disability and mental health, the institute offers several rehabilitation and allied health programmes recognized by national regulatory bodies.

Psychology Programs Offered by NIEPMD Chennai

NIEPMD Chennai currently offers the following RCI-recognized clinical psychology program:

• Master in Clinical Psychology (MClinPsy - RCI) (formerly MPhil Clinical Psychology)

Master in Clinical Psychology (MClinPsy - RCI)

The Master in Clinical Psychology (MClinPsy - RCI) program at NIEPMD, Chennai, is a professional postgraduate course that includes clinical training, psychological assessment, and therapeutic interventions.

Candidates graduating from this program become eligible for registration with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), which is mandatory, to work as a Clinical Psychologist in India.

Due to its professional nature and licensing outcome, this program is highly competitive and requires strong conceptual clarity in core areas of psychology.

Seats & Reservation

• The MClinPsy-RCI program has a total of 10 seats at NIEPMD Chennai:
  • Unreserved (UR): 3
  • OBC: 3
  • SC: 2
  • ST: 1
  • EWS: 1
• Reservation Policy
  • Reservation follows Government of India norms.
  • 5% horizontal reservation is available for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) across all categories.
  • If no eligible PwBD candidate is available, the seat will be filled according to merit from other eligible candidates.
  • OBC and EWS candidates must submit certificates in the Central Government-prescribed format.
  • The OBC & EWS certificate formats are available on the admission portal.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must satisfy any one of the following eligibility requirements to apply for admission into NIEPMD Chennai’s MClinPsy-RCI program:

• A 4-year BA or BSc degree in Psychology from a UGC-recognized university with:
  • Minimum 55% aggregate marks
  • Minimum 50% aggregate marks for SC/ST candidates, as per Government of India norms.

OR

• Candidates with a 3-year Bachelor’s degree in Psychology are also eligible if they have completed any one of the following:
  • A one-year Bridge Course in Psychology, or
  • The first year of a Master’s program in Psychology, or
  • A two-year Master’s program in Psychology.

ALSO READ: Can I Become a Clinical Psychologist in India Without a Bachelor’s in Psychology? Complete RCI Guide for 2026

Method of Selection, Exam Pattern and Merit List

Selection to the NIEPMD Chennai’s MClinPsy-RCI program will be based on the following:

• Written Entrance Exam, and
• Personal Interview

Final selection will be based on the candidate’s combined performance in the Written Entrance Exam and Interview.

Exam Pattern

• Examination Mode: Written
• Duration: 90 Minutes
• Number of Questions: 100 MCQs
• Negative Marking: None
• Weightage: 70%

Candidates shortlisted after the written examination will be called for the personal interview, which carries 30% weightage.

Merit List

The final merit list will be prepared using:

• Written Examination: 70%
• Personal Interview: 30%

Application Process

Candidates can apply for the MClinPsy-RCI program through the online admission portal of NIEPMD Chennai.

• Visit the official NIEPMD Chennai admission portal.
• Register using a valid email address, mobile number, and basic details.
• Fill out the online application form with the required personal, academic, and contact details.
• Upload the necessary documents in the prescribed format.
• Pay the application fee through the available online payment modes.
  • UR/Gen/OBC: Rs 2000
  • ST/SC/EWS: Rs 1000
  • PwD: Waived
• Review all the information carefully before submission.
• Submit the application form and keep a copy of the application form and payment receipt for future reference.

ALSO READ: The Long Game: Why 7–8 Months Beats a 3–4 Month Crash Course for Psychology Entrance Prep

Important Dates

• Opening & Closing Dates of Application Forms: July
• Date of Exam (written): August
• Result Declaration: August
• Interview (for shortlisted candidates): September
• Final Results Declaration: September
• Final Admission Procedure & Formalities: September
• Beginning of Classes: September

NOTE: The dates mentioned above are taken from this year’s admission cycle. They may change for the next year’s cycle. Students should always check the institution’s official website.

Recommended Books to Prepare for the MA Clinical Psychology

Students preparing for the Master in Clinical Psychology (MClinPsy - RCI) entrance exam at NIEPMD Chennai may find the following books helpful. These texts cover core areas such as psychopathology, assessment, research methodology, statistics, and clinical theories.

• Introduction to Psychology (8th-10th Edition): Rita Atkinson and Hilgard
• Social Psychology: Baron Robert
• Human Development: Papalia and Sally Olds
• Cognitive Psychology: Robinson-Riegler / Sternberg and Sternberg
• Statistics: Quinn McNemar / Minium
• Biopsychology: Arvind Otta
• Research Method: James Goodwin / Lewin & Fox / A. K. Singh
• Psychological Testing: Ronald Jay Cohen and Mark E. Swerdlik
• Abnormal Psychology: Sarason and Sarason / R. Comerc
• Clinical Psychology: Alan Carr / Hecker and Geoffrey
• Psychology Question Bank: Arvind Otta

ALSO READ: State-wise List of RCI-Recognized M.Clin.Psy Institutions in India 2026

Students’ Reviews

• I joined UPS Education's virtual classes that helped me crack the M.Phil clinical psychology exam. Thank you so much. Arvind Sir used a lot of examples to teach us that made things easy to grasp and understand. UPS Education's Portal helped a lot, the MCQs I practiced made me more confident in my ability to clear the exam. (Swasthika Suresh, NIEPMD Chennai)
  
  

Need More Help?

If you need more information regarding the application process, dates, or any other aspect of the program, or require guidance with preparation, application strategy, or interview readiness, you can connect with UPS Education using the details below:

Contact no: +91-9990717772

Website: upseducation.in

References

1. Education, U. (2026, August 3). NIEPMD Chennai MClinPsy-RCI Admissions 2026. UPS Education. https://www.upseducation.in/update/niepmd-chennai-mclinpsy-rci-admissions-2026/