The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) offers well recognized two years full time M.Phil in psychology which is RCI approved. It offers a full-fledged training with regards to the psychological testing diagnosis and treatment of the mental illnesses. A combination of theory, practical training, and research is provided to the students so that they develop clinical skills in addition to academic skills. The students shall be eligible to get their registration as licensed clinical psychologists and thus are able to practice in different health care institutions including hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and private clinics.
Why is this course is highly sought after?
M.Phil in Clinical Psychology from NIMHANS is one of the most desired course in India because it is well-based in theory proven with evidence and practical-oriented, and faculty-addition support plays a guiding role. In addition to its reputation as the foremost mental health institution, it has well-developed facilities to care for a wide range of patients and directly provides a state-of-the-art research environment making it ideally suited for prospective clinical psychologists. It is a strong asset program for those planning for the journey of mental health and psychology where graduates have access to job roles in hospitals, research institutions, universities, NGOs and private practice
About the programme
Course duration and structure :
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) offers a two-year, full-time M.Phil program in Clinical Psychology. This program includes high-quality coursework, clinical training, supervised internships, and research projects. It is designed to provide students with real-life clinical examples, enhancing their diagnostic and treatment skills.
Students undergo training in psychometric evaluation, neuropsychology, and various forms of psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Additionally, they receive instruction in psychoanalysis, behavioral management, and rehabilitation techniques. To further their professional development, students participate in seminars, workshops, and case conferences, equipping them with the necessary expertise to excel in the field of clinical psychology.
Objective of Program
- Provide proficient clinical psychologists with training for assessment, diagnosis, and management of mental health issues.
- Learn psychotherapy, counselling techniques and neuropsychological rehabilitation
- Ensure that practices follow rigorous protocols, demonstrate ethical behavior, and display cultural competence.
- Develop research skills to contribute to clinical psychology advancements.
- Prepare graduates for hospital, research, academic, and private practice careers
Eligibility Criteria:
- A Master’s degree (MA/MSc) in Psychology, Applied Psychology, or Clinical Psychology from a recognized university (2 years).
- Final-year students who are waiting for results may also apply but should submit their marksheets at the time of admission.
- The maximum age limit for general candidates is 32 years.
Seat allocation:
- 23 seats for All India candidates
- 6 seats for Karnataka domicile candidates
- 3 seats for foreign/sponsored candidates
- Reservation policies are adhered to as per government guidelines. Candidates are requested to look up the official prospectus for detailed seat allocation and category-wise reservations
Admission Process
Application form
Candidates can apply for the NIMHANS M.Phil in Clinical Psychology course via the official website. The applicants must fill out the application form, which includes entering personal details, educational qualifications, submitting documents like degrees and certificates, along with paying the 1,500 application fee online, which is non-refundable.
This application window for the 2025 session will be open for the period from march 1, 2025 to march 31, 2025, and applicants will be required to check the official website regularly for exam date and more updates.
UPS Education. (2025, March 1). NIMHANS MPhil Clinical Psychology 2025. Retrieved from
https://www.upseducation.in/update/nimhans-mphil-clinical-psychology-2025/
Entrance Exam Information:
- The entrance test will be provided on the website, and will be organized in Bengaluru at specified test centers.
- The test contains 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be answered in 90 minutes.
- There is a 1 mark for each correct answer, while 0.25 marks are penalized for each wrong answer.
- The questions test candidates on core areas of psychology, such as Clinical Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Research Methodology, Statistics, and General Mental Health Awareness.
Selection Process:
- Choice is entirely made based on scores in the entrance exam, with no interview.
- Merit list is compiled according to the performance of candidates in the entrance examination.
- Verification of documents is done with shortlisted candidates, in which they are required to provide their academic certificates, category certificates (if any), and other needed documents.
- Final admission is awarded on the basis of rank, availability of seats, and eligibility criteria.
Fee Structure and Scholarships
Tuition and Other Charges:
The overall cost of M.Phil in Clinical Psychology is ₹24,800 (not including hostel fees). Further details about tuition fee, examination fee, and other charges can be found in the official NIMHANS prospectus.
NIMHANS MPhil Clinical Psychology PDF
Availability of Scholarships or Financial Aid:
- Stipend: The students selected are awarded a monthly stipend of ₹25,000, in addition to a bonus of ₹15,000 a year as Contingency Grants for study expenditures.
- Sponsored Category: Candidates who fall within the Sponsored Category or are already receiving a salary from their employer are not entitled to any financial aid or stipend from NIMHANS.
Career Prospects Following M.Phil Clinical Psychology
- Scope in Hospital, research, private practice, etc.: Graduates can have careers in hospitals, mental health clinics, research centers, and private practice, providing psychotherapy, psychological testing, and consultancy services.
- Postgraduate study possibilities (Ph.D., licensing): Postgraduates can choose to pursue doctoral degrees (Ph.D.) to specialize or pursue academic and research positions.
Tips for Preparation
Study Strategies:
- Form a study schedule and stick to it rigorously.
- Focus on the topics based on their weightage in earlier exams.
- Be more interested in conceptual understanding and not rote memorization.
Recommended books and resources:
- Barron’s Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology by Barlow & Durand
- Research Methods in Psychology by Kothari
- Mock test series by UPS Education
- Cognitive Psychology: Robinson-Riegler
- Statistics: Quinn McNemar / Minium
- Research Method: James Goodwin / Lewin & Fox / A. K. Singh
- Psychological Testing: Ronald Jay Cohen and Mark E. Swerdlik
- Abnormal Psychology: Sarason and Sarason / R. Comer
- Clinical Psychology: Alan Carr / Hecker and Geoffrey
- Biopsychology by Arvind Otta
Role of mock tests:
Mock tests are an important aspect of getting used to the pattern of the exam and enhancing time management. Taking a series of mock tests aids in locating weak areas and enhancing precision.
About NIMHANS
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru is a multidisciplinary institute offering a lot of commitment to excellence concerning mental health and neurosciences. Originally called the Bangalore Mental Hospital, the institute has become a examples of patient care, research, and teaching: a full-bodied interaction of the three basic missions. It was founded in 1925, however was to become NIMHANS only in 1974 with autonomous status following in 1994 enclosing the rationale for its agenda of developing mental health and neurological sciences in India.
NIMHANS offers more than 90 postgraduate, doctoral, and fellowship courses in subject areas such as psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery, clinical psychology, and psychiatric social work. The institute is all the way at the forefront of modern research and has collaboration with regional, national, and global organizations stimulating innovations from Alzheimer’s disease to addiction management, from neuroimaging to deep brain stimulation, from youth mental health to yoga therapy and take into consideration geriatric mental health.
As a government institute-in-chief of national mental health policies, NIMHANS gives life to the Blueprint model, which eventually became the Bellary model of District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) for India. It, however, has, on top of that, made a significant contribution to Bhopal on mental health awareness, disaster management, and community care, providing meaningful input to India’s health carving.
FAQs
- How much does it cost to enroll in the NIMHANS M.Phil Clinical Psychology program?
General candidates are required to pay roughly 1500 in application fees.
- Is there a maximum age for program applications?
NIMHANS does not allow individuals under 32 years old to pursue an MPhil in clinical psychology.
- How many seats are available for the M.Phil Clinical Psychology program?
The seats vary every year. Candidates can check the latest prospectus for the latest information
- can MA students in their final year apply for Mphil clinical Psychology admission?”.
Yes, final-year MA Psychology students can apply, provided they submit their final marksheets at the time of admission.
References +
- UPS Education. NIMHANS M.Phil Clinical Psychology Admissions 2024 [Internet]. UPS Education; 2024 [cited 2025 Mar 7]. Available from: https://www.upseducation.in/update/nimhans-mphil-clinical-psychology-admissions-2024/
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology: Course Details [Internet]. Bengaluru: NIMHANS; [cited 2025 Mar 7]. Available from: https://nimhansbkt.demo-appiness.com/prodnimhans/documents/course/01ec039b9f9e4f7494d21ae188610a7f.pdf
- UPS Education. How to Fill NIMHANS M.Phil Clinical Psychology Admission Form 2024 [Internet]. YouTube; [cited 2025 Mar 7]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyCdtjNXicI
- UPS Education. How to Crack M.Phil Clinical Psychology Entrance Exam? [Internet]. YouTube; 2023 [cited 2025 Mar 7]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdYQHCFaXtY
- UPS Education. How to Crack M.Phil Clinical Psychology Entrance Exam? [Internet]. YouTube; 2023 [cited 2025 Mar 7]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4WsVS3zdbg
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