Govt Jobs for Psychologists: In India, For Freshers, Average Salary, Top Recruiters, Vacancy

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Ahana Bhaduri

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Psychologists hold a pivotal position in the field of mental health and are responsible for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of different psychological conditions. They offer a wide range of therapeutic services and are crucial in improving the mental health of individuals and communities. The average annual salary of a government psychologist is INR 3.40 LPA with monthly salary ranging between INR 24,310 to INR 25,734. 

The government sector offers a unique platform for Psychologists to make a substantial impact on the nation’s mental health landscape. There are several opportunities for psychologists in the government sector to address the mental well-being of individuals and communities. 

There are only 0.75 psychologists per 1,00,000 people in India signifying a growing need for skilled psychologists. The Lancet Psychiatry research in 2017 concluded that 14.3% of Indians are suffering from some kind of mental illness, with only half receiving treatment according to an NIHM report. The sections below discuss the various job opportunities for psychologists across government institutes along with their average salaries for different specialisations. 

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Who are Psychologists

Psychologists are professionals who specialise in the study of human behaviour, emotion, cognition and mental processes. They apply this knowledge to a wide range of areas including mental health, social services, education, sports and more. They can work in different roles like therapists, counsellors, educators, researchers and administrators. India requires around 13,500 psychiatrists and 20,250 clinical psychologists, while there are only 3,800 psychiatrists and 900 clinical psychologists currently working in the mental healthcare scene. 

The specific roles and responsibilities of psychologists can vary widely based on their specialisation, which may include clinical psychologists who diagnose and treat mental health disorders, health psychologists who study psychological factors that affect the physical health of individuals and other profiles depending upon their work. 

Jobs for Psychologists

Psychologists study and understand human behaviour, emotions and thoughts and use scientific methods to analyse how an individual thinks and behaves. They address mental health issues to improve the well-being of patients and make informed decisions. 

Tabulated below is the job description of psychologists across government institutes along with their average salaries for each specialisation. 

Psychologist Profile Job description Average Salary (INR)
Clinical Psychologist Diagnose and treat mental health disorders and emotional issues. 3.90 L
Counselling Psychologist Help individuals deal with everyday life issues, stress and personal growth. 3.30 L
Educational Psychologist Focuses on understanding how people learn and develop in educational settings. 2.10 L
Child Psychologist Understand and address the emotional, cognitive and behavioural development of children and adolescents. 3 L
Health Psychologist Study psychological factors that affect the physical health and well-being of individuals. 6 L
Industrial Psychologist Focus on optimising workplace productivity, employee satisfaction and organisational behaviour. 8 L
Sports Psychologist Work with athletes to improve their performance and mental well-being. 6.50 L

Government Jobs for Psychologists

Government jobs for psychologists offer diverse opportunities in settings like healthcare, public welfare, education, defence and more. Within a government organisation, they play a crucial role in mental health services and counselling. These positions also come with stability and competitive salaries. 

Some of the top government jobs for psychologists across various parameters along with their average salaries are discussed below.

Experience Wise

Experienced psychologists are often compensated more in government institutes than those with less or no experience. Tabulated below is the experience-wise salary of psychologists employed across the government sector.

Experience Years Average Annual Salary (INR)
0 - 5 years 5.10 L
6 - 10 years 8 L
11 - 15 years 10 L
16 - 20 years 14 L

Qualification Wise

There are different psychology courses that candidates aspiring to become psychologists can pursue. The course-wise salary is mentioned in the table below. 

Qualification Average Annual Salary (INR)
BSc Psychology 2.5 L - 6 L
BSc (Hons) Psychology 3 L - 12 L
BA Psychology 4.9 L
BA (Hons) Psychology 3 L - 12 L
MA Psychology 3.5 L - 6 L
MSc Psychology 3 L - 20 L
MSc Applied Psychology 4 L - 5 L
MSc Counselling Psychology 3 L - 20 L

City Wise

There is a major contrast in the salaries of psychologists based on the city they work in. The salaries of psychologists in various cities are mentioned in the table below. 

City Average Annual Salary (INR)
Chandigarh 9 L
New Delhi 4.80 L
Chennai 4.70 L
Indore 4.50 L
Mumbai 3.90 L
Bangalore 3.80 L
Agartala 3.30 L
Hyderabad 3 L
Jorhat 2.70 L

Sector Wise

There are opportunities for psychologists in both the public and private sectors. The sector-wise salary of psychologists is tabulated below.

Sector Average Annual Salary (INR)
Government Sector 3.40 L
Private Sector 3.10 L

Govt Psychologist Jobs

Various profiles of psychologists are appointed in different institutes for their services. Some of the top government jobs for psychologists along with their average salaries are tabulated below. 

Job Offering Institute Average Salary (INR)
Project Officer IIT Roorkee 40,000 - 65,000
District Program Coordinator/District Quality Manager NHM Haryana 1,50,000
Clinical Psychologist AIISH Level 10
Counselor Sainik School, Jhansi 20,000 - 35,000
Consultant NIT Rourkela 1,50,000
Programme Coordinator TISS 20,000 - 40,000
Female Student Counsellor IIM Lucknow 50,000

Top Recruiters

Psychologists can find job opportunities in various government institutes and hospitals working on mental health and overall well-being. Some of the top government institutes that hire psychologists are tabulated below. 

Name of the Institute Location
CGHS New Delhi
NIMHANS Bangalore
AIIMS Across the country
IHBAS New Delhi
CIP Ranchi
IMHH Agra

Govt Jobs for Psychologists: FAQs

Ques. How do you become a government psychologist?

Ans. Candidates are generally required to possess a master’s degree in psychology, clear the government job exam and fulfill specific eligibility criteria to become a government psychologist. 

Ques. What is the salary of a government psychologist?

Ans. The average annual salary of a government psychologist is INR 3.4 LPA with monthly salary ranging between INR 24,310 to INR 25,734. 

Ques. What is the highest-paying psychology job?

Ans. A psychiatrist is one of the highest-paying psychology jobs. 

Ques. What is the most popular career in psychology?

Ans. Clinical psychology is one of the most popular careers in psychology. 

Ques. Which country has the highest demand for psychologists?

Ans. Canada, the US, Australia and the UK are the top countries with the most demand for psychologists. 

Ques. Does psychology have a scope in India?

Ans. Psychology has a significant scope in India with opportunities in various settings, in both the public and private sectors. 

Ques. Name some of the courses that can be pursued to become a psychologist. 

Ans. BSc Psychology, BA Psychology, MSc Psychology and MA Psychology are some of the top courses that can be considered by aspirants looking to become a psychologist. 

Ques. What are the major duties of a psychologist?

Ans. Assessing and diagnosing mental health conditions, providing therapy and counselling, conducting research and offering guidance are some of the major duties of a psychologist. 

Ques. Name some top colleges offering education in psychology. 

Ans. St. Xavier’s College, Christ University, Presidency College, Fergusson College and Parul University are some of the top colleges offering courses in psychology. 

Ques. What skills are required to become a psychologist?

Ans. Communication, critical thinking, patience, empathy and problem-solving are some of the top skills that every psychologist should have. 

Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Psychology) : 7 answered questions

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Ques. What are the best DU colleges for Psychology?

● Top Answer By Arshita Goyal on 07 Oct 22

Ans. Delhi University provides a wide range of courses in all disciplines, as well as top-tier faculty and infrastructure. B.A. (Honors) in Psychology ranked highly on the list of best Art courses at Delhi University. The programme includes in-depth study in Psychology with Research, as well as practical papers and workshops. The following is a list of the top ten DU Colleges for Psychology (Honors) Lady Shri Ram College For Women- Lady Shri Ram College for Women provides courses in all disciplines. LSR is the best art college in the country, and it is consistently ranked first for its faculty and educational excellence. Jesus And Mary College- JMC is a prestigious educational institute affiliated with the University of Delhi. For a long time, the college has been ranked as a top college for Art courses. Mata Sundari College For Women- It is a supreme institute for girls to obtain degrees in graduate and postgraduate studies. This college provides the most assistance in Psychology (Hons). Indraprastha College For Women - Indraprastha College for Women is a women's college that is ranked among the top colleges in the country for Psychology (Hons) and has the best faculty in the field. Kamla Nehru College- Kamla Nehru College is located on the south campus. This is the best college for courses in Arts, Commerce, and Science, and it is ranked first in the country for Art courses. Gargi College- This is an all-girls college in New Delhi's south. The college is best known for its outstanding faculty and departments. Zakir Husain College - This is a well-known Delhi University institution. The college has been ranked first in the nation for providing excellence in Psychology. Keshav Mahavidyalaya- It is an off-campus college that ranks first on the University's list of best colleges. The college has also received numerous awards for its educational and research programmes. Bhim Rao Ambedkar College- The college is ranked ninth on the list of best colleges for Psychology (Hons). It has also received numerous awards for its excellence in education and faculty. Daulat Ram College For Women - DRC is a women's college that offers courses in science, commerce, and the arts. This college is one of the best in the country for Psychology (honors). For the PG courses, there are North and South campuses. North Campus offers an MA in Psychology, while South Campus offers an MA in Applied Psychology.  Every year, entrance exams for these courses are held, and the competition is fierce. The exam is of the objective variety. They call you for an interview if you pass the entrance exam, i.e. score the minimum qualifying marks (75% this time). Following the interview, a merit list is created. Because Psychology is the most sought-after course at DU, the bar is set fairly high.Read more
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Ques. Is NIMS University good for a B.Sc in Psychology?

● Top Answer By Sarita Varshney, on 01 Nov 21

Ans. No, it is not a good university for B.Sc. in Psychology. For this course, you should apply to a central or state university which will be better than a private university.  The university is very expensive, you will know this after you get admission because there are many recurring charges which are later revealed.  Go for a government university in Jaipur or in your area where you will get proper exposure which is important for your growth and future prospects. They will also have good faculties and your education cost will be minimal.Read more
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Ques. How is the B.Sc. psychology department of Bethune College? Can I get admission if my rank is 40 and there are 13 seats?

● Top Answer By Reeti Chakraborty, on 18 Nov 21

Ans. Yes, you can get admission in B.Sc Psychology at Bethune College as a number of students leave their seats for better colleges. You can then try to get a seat during the second, third or fourth cut-off list. Bethune College has highly qualified faculty members but the classes are not conducted regularly. Sometimes they even fail to complete the syllabus. But if we ignore these flaws, they are quite brilliant as educators. If you're joining this college, make sure you can study by yourself because you will not get constant attention from teachers. Bethune College will provide you with a better experience. In Bethune, you will develop both academically and holistically. Overall it is a great institution to be a part of.Read more
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Ques. Which one is a better college for psychology, a B.Sc in Loreto or Bethune?

● Top Answer By Aditi Ghose on 30 Nov 21

Ans. Loreto is a better option for doing a B.Sc degree in Psychology. Loreto offers great academics. The faculties are well-qualified and helpful. They will help you with your doubts even after class. However, you should know that Loreto is quite strict regarding its rules and regulations. If you don’t have any issues with their rules, you can easily fit in. Read more
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Ques. Which college or university is better for a bachelor's in psychology: DU or MSU Baroda?

● Top Answer By Jayant Thakur on 31 Dec 22

Ans. What truly distinguishes universities such as DU, JNU, and BHU is their brand value and large alumni base. It's as if they've created a brand, particularly for social science courses. A degree from it is valuable in and of itself. Second, while faculty may be similar in some ways, exposure at DU is unparalleled. You will learn a lot. MSU Baroda is a great university with a vibrant past and a strong alumni base, but in the current scenario, good colleges of DU stand out. But, yes, you must work hard and take the initiative to learn and gain knowledge wherever you study because, in the end, it is the knowledge you acquire that counts.Read more
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Ques. does st xavier's college mumbai offers bsc psychology

● Top Answer By Varun Pandey on 24 Jan 24

Ans. St. Xavier’s College Mumbai does not offer a BSc. in Psychology. Instead, it offers a BA in this discipline. For general category students, the cutoffs are quite high, around 97%.  Xavier’s offers a really good foundation in Psychology. The teachers over there expect students to be perfect in answer writing as well as practical work. The college forces its students to participate in extracurriculars and social welfare work so that their overall personality improves. You should consider joining the BA Psychology program at St. Xavier’s. However, keep in mind that the seats are very limited, and the competition is very high. To get in, you either need good scores, or you must have presented papers in their seminar or been in the editorial team of their magazine.Read more
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Ques. As a humanities student with psychology can I apply for BSc in psychology with economics in Loreto?

● Top Answer By Lagnajita Dasgupta on 28 Feb 22

Ans. Yes, if you have a background in Psychology, you can easily apply for BSc in Psychology. Economics is one of the electives offered for this course. You can opt for other electives as well, such as Education Human Rights Sociology, English, Hindi, Bengali, Political Science, Mathematics. Read more
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