The Department of Psychiatry, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (ABVIMS-RML Hospital), New Delhi, is getting ready to introduce new postgraduate psychology programs in the upcoming academic session of 2026-27. According to the newly released admission brochure by the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), the RML hospital may soon offer an MA in Clinical Psychology (RCI) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology (PGDRP), subject to approval from relevant authorities.
The ABVIMS-RML is a very well-known government hospital in India, functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Department of Psychiatry at ABVIMS-RML Hospital was established in 1943 and is recognised as a centre of excellence in mental health in India. Since 2015, the department has been affiliated with Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). ABVIMS-RML, with its academic affiliation with the GGSIPU, contributes to the training of mental health professionals by offering specialised programs that combine clinical training and exposure with academic learning.
Current Psychology Programs Offered By RML
Currently, the ABVIMS-RML Hospital offers advanced training in clinical psychology through the MPhil Clinical Psychology program, which is recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). The MPhil Clinical Psychology program has been one of the most sought-after professional qualifications by psychology graduates who aspire to become licensed clinical psychologists in India.
However, with the recent academic restructuring and regulatory changes after the NEP 2020, the MPhil Clinical Psychology qualification has gradually been replaced by the MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) program across institutions in India. This transition is a reflection of a broader shift in the structure of professional psychology training in India.
New Psychology Programs to Be Introduced By RML
According to the latest admission brochure released by the GGSIPU for the 2026–27 academic session, RML Hospital will likely be introducing two new programs in the field of psychology:
1. MA Clinical Psychology (RCI)
The earlier MPhil Clinical Psychology qualification will be replaced by the new MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) program. The new MA Clinical Psychology program is designed to provide equivalent professional training while also aligning with the current regulatory frameworks. Like the previous MPhil program, it will include extensive clinical exposure, theoretical coursework, psychological assessment training, and supervised psychotherapy practice. Graduates of the program will be eligible to pursue professional registration as clinical psychologists under RCI guidelines.
2. Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology (PGDRP)
The Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology is the other specialised program that RML is likely to introduce. It will be aimed at training students of the program in rehabilitation and disability-related psychological services. The focus of the PGDRP program will be on working with individuals with developmental disabilities, neurological conditions, and or chronic mental health issues that require long-term psychosocial rehabilitation. Students in the program will be trained in rehabilitation assessment, intervention planning, counselling, and multidisciplinary collaboration within healthcare and rehabilitation settings.
Read More: Rehabilitation Counsellors: How They Help People Rebuild Their Lives
Now it’s important to note that these programs, the MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology (PGDRP), are not yet open for applications. According to the currently available information and the brochure of the GGSIPU, they may be introduced by the ABVIMS-RML Hospital for the 2026-27 academic session and are subject to approval from the relevant authorities and the university.
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