Delhi High Court Directs Rehabilitation Council Of India To Consider Including Ph.D Degree In Clinical Psychology In Rehabilitation Council Act,1992

The Delhi High Court has recently directed the Ministry of Health & Rehabilitation Council of India to consider the representation made by the petitioner concerning inclusion of Ph.D degree in Clinical Psychology in schedule to section 11(1) of the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 within 30 days.

“Perusal of the schedule would reveal that even diploma courses are being recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India, and in the absence of a valid reason, it would be quite ironic if the PhD degree in Clinical Psychology from AIIMS, is not recognized in the said Schedule”, Single Bench of Justice Pratibha M Singh noted.

In the present matter, the petitioner graduated from the University of Windsor & acquired a degree of Bachelor of Sciences, & obtained a postgraduate degree in Masters of Science in Psychology (Clinical) from Christ University, in 2010. Thereafter, she pursued her `Doctorate in Clinical Psychology’ and graduated with a PhD degree from AIIMS in July, 2015. The petitioner filed the present petition praying for notifying PhD in Clinical Psychology degree from AIIMS under the schedule to Section 11(1) of the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 to recognise the same.

Section 11 of the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 deals with Recognition Of Qualifications Granted By University, Etc. In India For Rehabilitation Professionals.

(1) The qualifications granted by any University or other institution in India which are included in the Schedule shall be recognised qualifications for rehabilitation professionals.

(2) Any University or other institution which grants qualification for the rehabilitation professionals not included in the Schedule may apply to the Central Government to have any such qualification recognised, and the Central Government, after consulting the Council may, by notification, amend the Schedule so as to include such qualification therein and any such notification may also direct that an entry shall be made in the last column of the Schedule against such qualification only when granted after a specified date.

The Petitioner’s Counsel contended that the qualification in PhD in Clinical Psychology from AIIMS requires approval and recognition by the Rehabilitation Council of India since the definition of “Clinical Psychologist” u/s 2(I)(g)(ii) of the Medical Health Care Act, 2017 requires a recognised qualification in Clinical Psychology.

The Bench directed the Respondents to place on record counter affidavit within four weeks & rejoinder thereto within two weeks thereafter.

The matter is now listed before the Registrar for completion of pleadings on 27th April, 2021 & before Court on 7th May 2021.

Case Title: Dr. Angela Ann Joseph, M.Sc. Ph.D v. Union Of India & Ors.

Law Point/Statute Involved: Section 11(1) of the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992