Kochi, January 25, 2026: In a recent landmark judgment, the Kerala High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by medical professionals that challenged the use of the 'Dr.' prefix by physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
The judgment was delivered by Justice V.G. Arun on January 22, 2026. It ruled that the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act does not provide exclusive rights to medical professionals for using the prefix 'Dr.'.
The court traced the origins of the term “doctor” to the Latin word doctor, meaning “teacher” or “instructor.” Around the 13th century, the title evolved into an academic designation in European universities for those who attained the highest level of learning and had received license to teach in fields such as theology, law, and philosophy.
“Therefore, the contention that the title 'doctor' exclusively belongs to medical professionals is a misconception since even now, like in the olden times, persons with higher educational qualifications like PhDs are entitled to use the title 'doctor',” the judgment stated.
Justice Arun further clarified that Section 40 of the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act mentions the term “title” but does not statutorily entitle medical practitioners to prefix “Dr.” to their names.
“In the absence of such provision, the petitioners (doctors) cannot claim exclusive right to use the prefix ‘Dr’,” the court said.
The judgement also included that healthcare professionals are conferred the qualification of a degree under the NCAHP Act after undergoing extensive study of not less than 3,600 hours, spread over a period of three to six years, divided into specific semesters.
Over this the petitioners had requested the court to read down certain provisions of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, to confine physiotherapists and occupational therapists to a supporting role. The court rejected this, stating:
“In such circumstances, it will be inappropriate for this Court to tinker with the policy of the Government or read down the provisions of the Act or the Curriculum at the instance of a few medical professionals.”
The judgment also noted that the Parliamentary Committee had made recommendations after consulting the NMC, whose representatives are members of the NCAHP.
In a previously published article on MedBound Times featuring views of various healthcare professionals regarding the usage of 'Dr' as a prefix for physiotherapy, several opinions were expressed:
Unnati Dayaramani, BPT, a reputed physiotherapist practicing in Mumbai, stated:
"The response given by the Indian Association of Physiotherapists has made it clear that we (physiotherapists) should use the prefix. I do not believe the term quack applies to physiotherapists as an Indian physiotherapist qualifies from a university recognized by the prestigious University Grants Commission (UGC). Physiotherapy is essential not only for rehabilitation and injury prevention but also for general health. Therefore, someone practicing physiotherapy should be given the right to use the prefix Dr."
Dr. Munish Raizada, MD, CEO of MedBound, offered a contrasting perspective:
"Physiotherapists in the USA and other western countries are not allowed to use the prefix of a doctor. Physiotherapists are not necessarily trained to diagnose a particular condition. For example, an orthopedic has to diagnose a condition. Physiotherapists, on the other hand, use their rehabilitative techniques once the diagnosis is already carried out. Physiotherapy is a noble profession. If I were a physiotherapist, I would proudly call myself a physiotherapist, not a doctor."
(Rh/VK)