The Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP) was established to meet the growing demand for trained mental health professionals in India. Over the past few years, MPhil Clinical Psychology (now known as MA Clinical Psychology (RCI)) programs have expanded, but the number of qualified professionals remains far below what is required. To bridge this gap, the one-year PDCP program was developed, with an emphasis on critical domains of clinical practice. After course completion, a person can work in a Health setting as a Clinical Psychologist (A).
Who Can Apply for PDCP?
This course is ideal for psychology postgraduates who aspire to work directly in clinical and rehabilitation settings but prefer a shorter, skill-based training route compared to an MPhil program.
On the completion of the course, candidates are eligible to register with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) as “Clinical Psychologist (Associate)” under the Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR). This registration allows them to function as mental health experts in non-academic service settings, offering psychological assessments, diagnoses, and therapeutic interventions.
Aim & Objectives of the PDCP Course
Aim
The main aim of PDCP is to train students to a competent level so they can provide basic yet professional mental health services. These include:
- Identifying and diagnosing psychological problems.
- Conducting, analyzing, and interpreting psychological assessments (IQ, personality, development, adaptive functioning, etc.).
- Providing counseling, psychotherapy, and behavior therapy.
- Plan psychosocial interventions and set treatment goals.
- Provide psychoeducation to clients and families.
- Contribute to wellness programs such as stress/conflict management.
This program was designed specifically to address the shortage of trained mental health personnel in India, while ensuring that graduates can work effectively in multidisciplinary mental health teams.
Objectives
The PDCP is a one-year full-time, regular training program, combining theoretical coursework with hands-on supervised clinical practice.
On successful completion, trainees are eligible to work as Associate Clinical Psychologists in:
- General hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and nursing homes
- Rehabilitation units, community mental health centres, DMHP (District Mental Health Program) teams
- Schools, wellness centers, suicide prevention, and crisis centers
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Course Structure & Regulations (As per RCI Guidelines)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must hold an M.A./M.Sc. in Psychology (Clinical, Counseling, or Applied Psychology) from a UGC-recognized university with:
- Minimum 55% aggregate marks (General category)
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks (SC/ST/OBC categories, as per Government of India norms)
Admission Procedure
Admissions are typically based on an entrance examination and selection process, which includes the following stages:
- Objective-type test: to assess foundational knowledge in psychology.
- Written test: to evaluate communication and writing clarity.
- Group discussion & interview: to assess motivation, commitment, and interpersonal skills.
- Practical assessment: to test skills in psychological testing and clinical interviewing.
The final merit list is compiled based on the overall performance across the above-mentioned stages.
After Admission: Subjects Covered During the PDCP Course
The course combines theory, practicals, and submissions:
Group A – Theory & Practicals
- Psychosocial Perspectives of Mental Disorders
- Counseling and Therapy
- Psychiatry
- Psychological Assessments (Practical I) – competency in test administration, scoring, and interpretation.
- Psychological Interventions (Practical II) – designing and implementing therapy based on behavioral, cognitive, and interpersonal models.
Group B – Submissions
- Submission I: Three Psychodiagnostic Reports
- Submission II: Three Psychotherapy Records (Including full case details, rationale, methods, and outcome summaries)
Clinical Work Requirements
Throughout the year, each trainee must complete a minimum of:
- 50 detailed clinical workups
- 30 psychodiagnostic assessments
- 20 therapy/counseling cases (at least 200 hours, with 5 child cases minimum)
A detailed logbook of all supervised clinical work must be maintained and submitted during exams.
Course Duration
The PDCP is a one-year, full-time program consisting of theoretical coursework, supervised clinical work, and practical training.
Students who fail to complete requirements or clear the final exam on time can appear for a supplementary exam after 3 months of additional supervised training.
Evaluation & Examination
- Internal Assessment: 30% of total marks (based on two internal tests).
- Final Examination: Includes theory, practicals, viva-voce, and submission evaluation.
- Students must score at least 50% in each component to pass.
Grading:
- 75% and above – Distinction
- 60–74% – First Class
- 50–59% – Second Class (Merit grades apply only if passed on first attempt.)
Fees
Tuition and examination fees are set by the respective university or institution offering the course.
Pattern of Examination
The Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP) is accompanied by a well-structured examination and evaluation system, designed to assess both theoretical understanding and practical skills.
The course is divided into two groups — Group A (Theory & Practical Papers) and Group B (Submissions).
Group A includes:
- Paper I: Psychosocial Perspectives of Mental Disorders – 3 hours | 70 marks (Final Exam) + 30 marks (Internal)
- Paper II: Counseling and Therapy – 3 hours | 70 + 30
- Paper III: Psychiatry – 3 hours | 70 + 30
- Practical I: Psychological Assessments and Viva Voce – 70 + 30
- Practical II: Psychological Interventions and Viva Voce – 70 + 30
Group B focuses on applied work through submissions:
- Submission I: 50 marks
- Submission II: 50 marks
Altogether, the total evaluation amounts to 600 marks. Students must pass all the theory papers, practicals, and submissions separately to qualify for the diploma.
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Syllabus Overview
The Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP) covers a mix of theory, hands-on training, and clinical exposure. The syllabus is structured around three major theory papers and intensive practical work, ensuring that students gain both conceptual clarity and applied clinical competence.
Paper I: Psychosocial Perspectives of Mental Disorders
This paper examines the impact of psychological, social, and cultural factors on mental health. It introduces students to the history of clinical psychology, models of mental illness, and the role of clinical psychologists in various settings. Topics include:
- Epidemiology and socio-cultural correlates of mental illness
- Models of abnormality (psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, biological)
- Family and social influences on psychopathology
- Psychopathology of specific conditions (neurotic, psychotic, personality, and developmental disorders)
- Disability, rehabilitation, and mental health rights
Paper II: Counseling and Therapy
Focused on building therapeutic skills, this paper trains students in various counseling approaches and psychotherapy techniques. Key areas include:
- Fundamentals of psychotherapy and counseling
- Interviewing methods and behavioral assessments
- Cognitive and behavioral therapies
- Crisis intervention and supportive psychotherapy
- Group and family therapy
- Therapy with children, trauma survivors, and individuals with chronic mental illness
Paper III: Psychiatry
This paper provides an essential medical foundation by covering psychiatric classifications, disorders, and treatments. Students learn about:
- Psychoses (schizophrenia, mood disorders, delusional disorders)
- Neurotic and stress-related disorders
- Personality and substance-use disorders
- Childhood, developmental, and organic mental disorders
- Indian mental health policies and acts (MH Act 1987, RCI Act 1993, NMHP 1982, etc.)
Practical Training: Psychological Assessment & Intervention
Hands-on training is at the core of PDCP. Students gain practical experience in case history-taking, diagnosis, and psychometric testing, using tools like:
| Test / Tool Name | Purpose / Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Binet–Kamat Test | Assesses general intelligence in children and adults. |
| Raven’s Progressive Matrices | Measures abstract reasoning and non-verbal intelligence. |
| Bhatia’s Battery of Intelligence Tests | Used for assessing intelligence among Indian populations, especially where language barriers exist. |
| Malin’s Intelligence Scale for Children (MISIC) | Indian adaptation of the Wechsler scale to assess verbal and performance IQ in children. |
| Wechsler Adult Performance Intelligence Scale (WAPIS) | Evaluates cognitive ability and problem-solving skills in adults. |
| Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) | Measures different aspects of memory, including working, visual, and verbal recall. |
| PGI Memory Scale | Developed for the Indian context, used to assess memory functioning and impairment. |
| 16-PF (Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire) | Identifies key dimensions of normal personality and behavior patterns. |
| Eysenck’s Personality Inventory (EPI) | Assesses major personality traits like extraversion and neuroticism. |
| Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) | A projective test exploring motives, drives, and interpersonal dynamics through storytelling. |
| Children’s Apperception Test (CAT) | A child-friendly version of the TAT, exploring emotional conflicts and social understanding. |
| Rorschach Inkblot Test | A classic projective technique to assess personality structure and emotional functioning. |
Each trainee must demonstrate competence in core tests and interventions before appearing for final evaluations.
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Institutions Offering PDCP
Here are some of the reputed RCI-recognized institutions currently offering the PDCP program across India:
| Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| SGT University | Gurugram, Haryana |
| Amity Institute of Behavioural (Health) & Allied Sciences (AIBHAS) | Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida |
| Amity University | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences | Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh |
| Department of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology, Amity University | Gurugram (Manesar) |
| Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied Science (AIBAS) | Mumbai |
| IIS – (Deemed to be University) | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| Department of Clinical Psychology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences | Dehradun |
| Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences (AIBAS) | Jaipur |
| Amity Institute of Behavioural And Allied Sciences (AIBAS) | Kolkata |
| B.M. Institute of Mental Health | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Sweekar Academy of Rehabilitation Sciences | Secunderabad, Telangana |
Conclusion
After completing PDCP, candidates can work as Associate Clinical Psychologists in hospitals, clinics, NGOs, and rehabilitation centers. Many also join multidisciplinary teams under psychiatrists or clinical psychologists, providing counseling, assessments, and therapy services throughout the country.
The PDCP course serves as a vital tool in India’s mental health training framework. By producing skilled associate professionals, it strengthens access to psychological services and supports the vision of “Mental Health for All” in India.
FAQs
Q1. Who is eligible for PDCP?
A: Postgraduates in Psychology (MA/MSc, Clinical, Counseling, or Applied Psychology) with minimum aggregate marks: 55% for General category, 50% for SC/ST/OBC.
Q2. Can a PDCP graduate become a professor?
A: No. PDCP graduates can assist in teaching but need a PhD to hold independent academic or professorship positions.
Q3. How long is the PDCP course?
A: The program is one year full-time, including theory, practicals, and supervised clinical training.
Q4. What clinical skills will I gain?
A: Competence in psychological assessment, diagnosis, counseling, therapy, psychoeducation, and rehabilitation interventions across individuals, families, and communities.
Q5. What is the difference between PDCP and MPhil Clinical Psychology?
A: PDCP equips students for associate-level clinical work, while MPhil graduates are fully qualified clinical psychologists eligible for independent academic, research, and advanced clinical roles.
Q6. How is the PDCP evaluated?
A: Students are assessed via internal tests (30%), final exams, practicals, viva-voce, and submissions. Passing requires ≥50% in each component.