New Delhi, September 11, 2025 - The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), part of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has officially withdrawn a directive that had prohibited physiotherapists from using the title “Dr.” This change comes after strong objections from various professional bodies and concerns about clarity and legal standing.
Earlier in 2025, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) released a Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy (2025). That curriculum included a proposal that physiotherapy graduates be allowed to use the prefix “Dr.” and the suffix “PT.”
This recommendation prompted debate among the medical community and legal experts. Many organizations, including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA), raised objections, stating that using “Dr” for physiotherapists could mislead patients and the public.
On September 9, 2025, DGHS issued a letter addressed to Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, President of the IMA, clarifying that physiotherapists are not entitled to use the “Dr.” prefix.
The DGHS cited the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916 in support of its directive. Under this law, the term “Doctor” is reserved for recognized medical practitioners in modern medicine and some recognized traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy.
The DGHS also noted that past court rulings including those by the Patna High Court (2003), Bengaluru court (2020), and Madras High Court (in recent years) had upheld that physiotherapists are not to use the title “Dr.” in official documents or practice unless they hold medical doctor qualifications.
Just one day after issuing the prohibition, DGHS communicated on September 10 that it was withdrawing its earlier order. The decision to withdraw acknowledged that multiple representations had been received, and that the matter required further examination. DGHS asked NCAHP to remove the proposed change in the curriculum to allow “Dr.” prefix, at least for now.
The DGHS clarified that the 2025 Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy should omit the “Dr.” prefix provision “forthwith.” It suggested that another title may be considered for physiotherapy graduates, but any such title must avoid causing ambiguity for patients or the public.
Professional bodies like IMA (Inidan Medical Association) had argued that allowing physiotherapists to use “Dr.” could blur distinctions between medical doctors and allied health professionals. They emphasized that physiotherapists are trained in specialized movement, rehabilitation, and physical therapy techniques, but not trained in diagnosing medical conditions under law.
The issue touches on patient safety, legal definitions, and public trust. The Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916, provides the legal framework that restricts usage of certain titles unless one holds recognized medical qualifications. Misuse of protected titles could lead to legal action under this Act.
DGHS’s withdrawal signals that the debate will continue. Authorities have indicated they will examine the matter thoroughly, taking into account legal precedent, professional feedback, and potential effects on clarity for patients. Any future curriculum changes or title usage will likely need to align clearly with legal statutes and regulatory norms.
(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)