Are you aiming for an RCI license to practice as a Counsellor/Psychologist without pursuing a long-term course like Psy.D? While there are some popular RCI-recognized programs in Clinical Psychology, like M.Phil in Clinical Psychology and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, grants licenses to work in the field as a registered Clinical Psychologist, but gaining admission to these programs can be quite challenging. Consequently, many students explore alternative routes to get an RCI registration. There are various reasons why students opt for short-term courses or diplomas instead of longer programs like M.Phil or Psy.D. Limited time and self-interest can be the major factor.
If you’re a psychology student seeking ways to obtain an RCI license without pursuing an M.Phil or Psy.D, this article is tailored for you. It will discuss alternative diplomas that can grant you an RCI license, along with their objectives, course regulations, and requirements.
So, there are three PG Diploma courses one can pursue after a Master’s in Psychology to obtain an RCI license. Let’s understand these courses sequentially.
Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology
Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology or PGDRP is a postgraduate level diploma course. The motive of the program is to prepare rehabilitation counsellors who enhance the understanding of the situation and needs of people with disabilities and perform an indispensable role in the personal, vocational and educational adjustment of persons with disabilities within the self-advocacy and community development model.
The duration of the course is 1 year. The program prepares students with a variety of concepts, theories, and techniques to function in numerous settings such as state or work in private rehabilitation centres, public, and private schools, and other organizations serving persons with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.
Also read: RCI update on M.Phil Clinical Psychology 2025
Eligibility Criteria and Intakes
To be eligible for Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology, you should have completed the eligibility criteria mentioned below:
- Bachelor’s degree in regular mode with general Psychology courses in all three years OR
- Master’s degree in any branch of Psychology whether in regular mode or in distance mode, OR
- Master’s degree in counselling psychology in distance or regular mode with not less than 55% marks in aggregate. (For SC /ST category students, 50% marks are essential)
The number of seats for the course depends on the availability of experienced clinical psychology or rehabilitation psychology faculty who work full-time at the institute, as well as the amount of clinical material at the centre. To ensure effective training, the number of students admitted should not be more than the specified ratio.
RCI Registered Rehabilitation/Clinical Psychologist working full-time on a regular basis Candidate ratio is 1: 5.
Top Institutes to pursue PGDRP.
| S. No | Institutes | Intakes |
| 1 | Central University of Haryana | 25 |
| 2 | Calicut University | 20 |
| 3 | National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) | 20 |
| 4 | B.M. Institute of Mental Health | 25 |
Click here to get a complete list of RCI-recognized PGDRP Colleges
Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP)
Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology is a 1-year course that students often pursue after completing their Master’s in Psychology. The program is recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India which means you can apply for an RCI license and start working as a Clinical Psychologist (Associate).
Clinical Psychologists (Associate) are employed by state and central governments to serve as an entry-level option for existing Clinical Psychologist positions. They have a lower level of responsibility compared to full-fledged Clinical Psychologists, who are highly skilled professionals with greater expertise and responsibilities in service, academics, and research.
Eligibility Criteria and Intakes
The minimum requirement to pursue this course will be M.A./M.Sc. degree in Psychology (or in counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or applied Psychology) from a university recognized by UGC. 55% marks are essential in aggregate. For SC /ST /OBC category candidates, 50% marks are necessary as per GOI.
Every year, only a small group of students can join because the teachers need to be there in person. The most allowed is 16 students per group, no matter how many qualified faculty members or facilities are available at the centre.
Admission Procedure
The selection for the PDCP course will be on the basis of an entrance examination consisting of an objective-type exam for testing the knowledge in related branches of Psychology. After the examination, there will be an interview.
Institutes that you can choose to pursue PDCP
| S. No | Institutes | Intakes |
| 1 | SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana | 16 |
| 2 | Sweekaar Academy of Rehabilitation Sciences | 08 |
| 3 | B.M. Institute of Mental Health | 25 |
| 4 | IIS (Deemed to be University) | 10 |
| 5 | Amity Institute of Behavioural (Health) & Allied Sciences (AIBHAS), Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida | 12 |
| 6 | Amity University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | 08 |
| 7 | Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh | 08 |
| 8 | Department of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology, Amity University, Gurugram (Manesar) | 10 |
| 9 | Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied Science (AIBAS), Mumbai | 08 |
| 10 | Department of E.N.T, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences | 08 |
| 11 | Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences (AIBAS), Jaipur | 10 |
| 12 | Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied Science (AIBAS), Kolkata | 10 |
Click here to learn more about PDCP.
Advanced Diploma in Child Guidance and Counselling (ADCGC)
ADCGC is one of the diploma courses which is recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). The duration of this course is 1 year. Throughout this course, students can enhance their practical knowledge and skills in the field of Psychology. The course is also RCI-recognized which means you can apply for an RCI license.
Students can have many motives to pursue this course. Many students pursue this course to start their private clinics. Some students pursue this course to enhance and strengthen their knowledge and build their skills.
Eligibility Criteria and Intakes
To be eligible for ADCGC, you should have completed your M.A./M.Sc. in Psychology. after successfully completing the course, one can apply for an RCI license and practice as a Vocational Counselor.
| S. No | Institutes | Intakes |
| 1 | National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), New Delhi | 33 |
| 2 | Central University of Haryana | 25 |
| 3 | Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Rajasthan | 25 |
| 4 | OPJS University, Rajasthan | 25 |
Also Read: All about Advanced Diploma in Child Guidance and Counselling
Note: These diploma courses are just an alternative to getting an RCI license in a short period. Someone looking to get an RCI license as a full-fledged Clinical Psychologist should pursue an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology or Psy.D.
Also, the licenses provided after the diploma and M.Phil/Psy.D are different. Kindly understand your needs before choosing a course.