No More “Dr.” for Physiotherapists: DGHS Bans Prefix After IMA Objection

New Delhi, September 11, 2025 — The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has ordered physiotherapists across India to stop using the “Dr.” prefix, declaring that only registered medical practitioners qualify for that title, effective from a letter dated September 9, 2025.

DGHS Director Dr. Sunita Sharma issued the directive following strong objections from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical bodies, including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR). The order seeks to remove the “Dr.” prefix provision introduced in the Competency-Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy Syllabus, 2025, published by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) on April 23, 2025.

In her letter addressed to IMA President Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, Dr. Sunita Sharma states that physiotherapists are not trained as medical doctors, and using “Dr.” misleads patients, potentially promoting quackery. The DGHS emphasizes that physiotherapists should only treat referred patients, since they are not authorized to diagnose medical conditions, which, if misdiagnosed, might worsen. She cites the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916, warning that using “Dr.” without meeting the legal qualifications risks violating Sections 6 and 6A, with penalties under Section 7.

Legal Precedents Supporting the Ban

The DGHS references multiple legal and advisory rulings to justify the prohibition:

• Patna High Court (2003): Ruled that physiotherapists cannot practice modern medicine or use "Dr" unless enrolled in the State Medical Register.

• Madras High Court: Upheld the ban on physiotherapists using "Dr," clarifying they are not recognized as doctors under the Indian Medical Council Act (date not specified in sources, ensuring accuracy).

• Bengaluru Court (2020): Prohibited physiotherapists and occupational therapists from using "Dr" and mandated they work under physician supervision.

• Tamil Nadu Medical Council Advisory: Classified physiotherapists as paramedics or technicians, barring them from using "Dr."

• Ethics Committee (Paramedical and Physiotherapy Central Council Bill, 2007): Restricted the "Doctor" title to registered practitioners of modern medicine, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, and Unani, excluding nursing and paramedical staff.

• 2004 Legal Opinion: Adopted by the council, it confirmed that physiotherapists using "Dr" without recognized medical qualifications violate the 1916 Act.

The conflict began after the NCAHP published its Competency-Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy Syllabus on April 23, 2025, which allowed physiotherapists to use “Dr” with the suffix “PT.” This provision, as part of the syllabus, invited objections from the IMA (which represents over 4 lakh medical practitioners) and IAPMR, who argued it could mislead the public. In response, the DGHS issued the letter on September 9, 2025, ordering the removal of the “Dr” prefix from the curriculum.

Physiotherapists must now comply with the DGHS directive to avoid legal consequences, especially under the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916. The ban aims to ensure clarity in healthcare roles, reducing risk of misdiagnosis or improper treatment. The DGHS has also suggested that physiotherapy graduates and postgraduates might be given alternative, respectful titles that do not cause ambiguity.

The matter remains under administrative implementation; further updates are likely via official channels.

(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)