The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), under the Union Health Ministry, has directed that physiotherapists cannot use the prefix “Dr.” before their names. The order, issued on September 9, 2025, requires the immediate removal of the provision from the newly approved physiotherapy curriculum that allowed practitioners to prefix their names with “Dr.” and suffix them with “PT.”

Background of the Provision

Earlier this year, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) introduced a competency-based physiotherapy syllabus that permitted qualified physiotherapists to adopt the “Dr.” prefix. The move was intended as recognition of their professional and academic qualifications.

Objections and Concerns

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical bodies objected strongly, warning that such usage could mislead patients into believing physiotherapists were medical doctors, who hold broader diagnostic and treatment powers.

In response, DGHS officials clarified that the prefix “Dr.” is legally protected under the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916, and its use by professionals outside of the registered medical framework amounts to a violation of law. The directive also highlighted risks of misrepresentation and “quackery” if non-medical professionals adopt the title.

Legal Precedents

The DGHS order cites several legal and regulatory precedents:

• The Patna High Court in 2003 ruled that physiotherapists not registered in state medical registers cannot use “Dr.” or practise modern medicine.
• The Tamil Nadu Medical Council previously issued advisories warning physiotherapists against using the prefix.
• A Bengaluru court in 2020 prohibited physiotherapists and occupational therapists from using “Dr” and emphasised that their work must remain under physician supervision.
• The Madras High Court also reaffirmed that physiotherapists are not recognised as “doctors” under the Medical Council Act.

Directive and Implications

The DGHS has ordered the immediate removal of the “Dr.” prefix clause from the physiotherapy curriculum. Physiotherapists may continue to use “PT” as a professional suffix but cannot assume titles or roles reserved for medical doctors. The directive also restricts physiotherapists from engaging in primary care or diagnostic activities, clarifying that their role is limited to rehabilitation and treatment under medical referral.

Reactions

The IMA welcomed the order, calling it a major victory in safeguarding patient rights and ensuring clarity between medical doctors and allied health professionals. While sections of the physiotherapy community had supported the earlier curriculum, believing it recognised their contributions, the directive has now settled the matter firmly in favour of restricting the “Dr.” title to licensed medical practitioners.