To become a psychiatrist in India, you would need to pursue a medical degree (MBBS) and then specialize in psychiatry. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illnesses. Therefore, the path to becoming a psychiatrist in India involves completing the following steps:
Complete 10+2 Education: After completing your secondary education (10th standard), you need to pursue a 10+2 education with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects.
Clear Medical Entrance Exam: To get admission to a medical college in India, you need to appear for and clear national and/or state-level medical entrance exams, such as NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test).
Earn MBBS Degree: After clearing the medical entrance exam, you will enroll in a medical college and complete the five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree.
Postgraduate Specialization in Psychiatry: After completing MBBS, you need to apply for a postgraduate degree (MD or DNB) in psychiatry, which is typically a three-year program that provides specialized training in psychiatry.
Registration and Licensure: After completing your postgraduate training, you will need to register with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or the respective State Medical Council and obtain a license to practice as a psychiatrist.
Regarding your second question, if you are interested in pursuing a career in psychiatry, the path would involve medical studies, and clinical psychology or BA psychology would not directly lead to becoming a psychiatrist. However, if you are interested in the field of psychology and mental health but do not want to pursue medical studies, clinical psychology or BA psychology can be suitable options. Clinical psychology would require a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), and BA psychology is an undergraduate program that can serve as a foundation for further studies in psychology.
As for balancing UPSC preparation and psychology studies, it can be challenging but not impossible. Both fields require dedication and hard work. You may need to manage your time efficiently and set priorities. It could be helpful to create a study schedule that allows you to allocate time for both UPSC preparation and your chosen psychology program. Also, consider seeking guidance from mentors or counselors to plan your academic and career path effectively.
Remember that pursuing a medical career in psychiatry and studying psychology are distinct paths, so it's essential to decide which field aligns better with your interests, strengths, and long-term career goals.