Updated October 18, 2022
Paramedical courses are professional programs that enable students to develop a career in the medical industry quickly and at a low cost. The courses focus on manufacturing the service-providing unit that supports medical teams such as nursing, physiotherapy, radiology, nutrition. After MBBS, it is the most popular career choice after 12th in the healthcare industry. Candidates can enter the medical industry through paramedical courses in a medical emergency, aid, and diagnostics.
Eligibility criteria required for pursuing Paramedical courses may vary depending on the type of course, and college opted for. The basic eligibility criteria required for any paramedical course is that the aspirants must have completed class 12 in Physics, Chemistry, Biology with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks. However, various paramedical courses are also available after the 10th, but most popular courses are available after the 12th class. Admission to Paramedical Courses is either based on the candidates’ merit or entrance exams performance.
What is Paramedical Course?
Paramedical programs are job-oriented courses that encompass a wide range of career opportunities. It provides aspirants with numerous course options of varying duration, such as certificate, diploma, and degree course. Certificate courses last six months to a year, Diploma courses last one to two years, and Degree courses usually take 2 to 4 years to complete.
Paramedics are some of the most creative and efficient medical professionals. They are highly effective in treating traumatizing and medical emergencies without the direct supervision of a doctor.
Paramedical degrees offer more excellent career scope in terms of higher job prospects, attractive pay and better job satisfaction due to tremendous growth and opportunities in the global market.
Types of paramedical Courses
Although there are several courses available in the paramedical field but are mainly categorized into three segments, and these are:
- Degree Paramedical courses:- These courses are offered at both UG and PG levels, and the duration ranges between 2 to 4 years.
- Diploma Paramedical Courses:- These courses are offered at UG and PG levels, and the duration ranges between 1 and 2 years.
- Certificate paramedical Courses:- These courses are offered at intermediate and UG levels, and the duration ranges between 6 months to 2 years.
Paramedical Courses Lists
The table below presents you with the various courses available in the Paramedical field and other relevant information. So, check out below to know about the courses of your desire.
Degree Paramedical courses (UG and PG)
Mentioned in the table below are different Degree Courses in the paramedical fields.
Undergraduate Level | Postgraduate Level |
BSc. Nursing | MSc Nursing |
BSc in Optometry | Master of Pharmacy |
BSc in Dialysis Therapy | Master of Physiotherapy |
BSc in X-Ray Technology | Master of Radiation Technology |
BSc in Physiotherapy | Master of Occupational therapy |
BSc Medical Lab Technology | Master of Pathology Technology |
BSc in Anesthesia Technology | Master of Hospital Administration |
Bachelor of Radiation Technology | Master of Medical Lab. Technology |
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy | Master of Veterinary & Public Health |
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology | Master of Optometry & Ophthalmic Technology |
BSc in Medical Imaging Technology | |
BSc in Nuclear Medicine Technology | |
BSc in Operation Theatre Technology |
Diploma Paramedical Courses (UG and PG)
Mentioned in the table below are the different Diploma Courses in the Paramedical field.
Undergraduate Level | Postgraduate level |
GNM | PG Diploma in Geriatric Medicine |
ANM | PG Diploma in Maternal & Child Health |
Diploma in OT Technician | PG Diploma in Hospital & Health Management |
Diploma in Physiotherapy | |
Diploma in Dental Hygienist | |
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology | |
Diploma in X-Ray Technology | |
Diploma in Dialysis Technology | |
Diploma in Occupational Therapy | |
Diploma in Nursing Care Assistant |
Certificate Paramedical Courses (Intermediate and UG)
Mentioned in the table below are different Certificate Courses in the Paramedical fields.
Intermediate and UG level |
Certificate – Dental Assistant |
Certificate in X-Ray Technician |
Certificate in Rural Health Care |
Certificate in Dialysis Technician |
Certificate in Nursing Care Assistant |
Certificate – Technician/ Lab Assistant |
Certificate in Home Based Health Care |
Certificate in HIV and Family Education |
Certificate in ECG and CT Scan Technician |
Paramedical Course Eligibility
Aspirants need to fulfil certain eligibility criteria for pursuing paramedical courses. However, eligibility criteria required for pursuing Paramedical programs may vary depending on the type of course and college opted for. But the basic eligibility criteria required for any undergraduate paramedical course is that the aspirants must have completed 12th in science stream with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks from recognized board and Physics, Chemistry, Biology as mandatory subjects. And for any Postgraduate course, candidates must have obtained a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in science stream from a recognized institution. Some Paramedical programs are also available after the 10th, but most popular ones are available after the 12th class.
Paramedical Programs Admission Process
Admission to Paramedical Courses is either based on the candidates’ merit or entrance exams performance. Some colleges provide direct admission to the course based on the merit of the candidates obtained in higher secondary education. On the other hand, if the aspirants want admission to a reputed college, they have to clear the standard entrance examinations conducted by various national & state bodies and universities.
Fees for Paramedical Programs
The paramedical program’s average fees may range between 1 thousand to 6 lakh per annum. The courses fees vary depending upon the standard of the colleges and courses candidates opt for. For instance, the average fees expense for certificate courses ranges between 1 thousand 1 lakh. For diploma courses, the expense may range from 6,000 to 3,00,000, while the average fee for degree courses may range between 1 lakh to 6 lakh.
Paramedical Courses entrance Exams
Various Universities and national bodies conduct the standard entrance exam to provide admission to the paramedical course. Below are some of the popular entrance tests for the program.
- AISECT Joint Entrance Exam (AJEE)
- Goa Common Entrance Test (GCET)
- Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC)
- ITM National Entrance and Scholarship Test (ITM NEST)
- The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test- Postgraduate (NEET PG)
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences Postgraduate Exam (AIIMS PG)
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences MSc Nursing entrance Exam (AIIMS MSc)
- Indira Gandhi National Open University- Open Nursing Entrance Test (IGNOU OPENNET)
Top Paramedical Courses Colleges in India
India is filled with universities/colleges, and numerous colleges are famous for offering the renowned paramedical course. Below is the list of top colleges in India for Paramedical courses.
- Christ University
- JIPMER Puducherry
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Chandigarh University
- Apollo Research and Innovations
- Quantum School of Health Sciences
- Manipal School of Allied Health Sciences
- Apollo Institute of Hospital Management and Allied Sciences
Paramedical Programs Career Prospects
Paramedical programs encompass a wide range of areas for career opportunities. Employment opportunities for a paramedic are rising daily in India and abroad, such as the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Canada. They primarily assist doctors and medical teams in diagnosing and treating diseases. Experience plays an integral part in making a promising career in the paramedical industry. A polished skillset and a good amount of experience are crucial in being a furnished paramedic.
Post pursuing any of the fundamental courses in the paramedical streams, candidates can get a job in Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Clinics, various health departments, academic institutions, and lecturers. They can also establish their laboratories or clinics after gaining some experience and polishing skillset. So, all we can say is that the employment options in paramedical fields are in no numbers.
Major Sectors Paramedical Courses Cover
Paramedical courses are designed to provide students with training in specific areas such as dialysis, X-Ray technology etc. Here is a comprehensive list of fields that fall in paramedical courses.
- Nursing
- Physiotherapy
- X-Ray technology
- Dialysis Technology
- Anaesthesia Technology
- Audiology and Speech Therapy
- Medical Laboratory Technology
Jobs opportunities after Paramedical Courses
After completing any fundamental courses in the paramedical field, candidates can aspire to a job in various sectors of the Paramedical industry like Nursing, Physiotherapy, X-Ray technology, Dialysis Technology, etc. Some of the top Job roles candidates can be designated with post pursuing the Paramedical Course are as follows.
- Nurse
- Radiologist
- Physiotherapist
- Paramedical Jobs
- Occupational Therapist
- Radiotherapy Technologist
- Medical Laboratory Technologists
Paramedical Course Salary
There is no specific number to represent the salary figure of Paramedical Professionals. The salary prospects of Paramedical professionals vary as per area of specialization, experience and skillset. For instance, the candidates with a lab technician profile can make an annual earning of Rs. 250000 and with 1 to 4 years of work experience can earn an average salary of 3 to 3.5 lakh per annum. Physicians, Physiotherapists, Nurses, Pharmacologists, Technicians, Occupational Therapists are the highest paying paramedical professionals with an average earning of Rs. 3 to 6 lakh per annum.
Below are some of the top job profiles after pursuing paramedical courses with an average salary package. So check out below to know about the salary package of the paramedical job you aspire to be in.
- Nurse:- 3 to 8 Lakh Per Annum
- Radiologist:- 6 Lakh Per Annum
- Physiotherapist:- 5 Lakh Per Annum
- Occupational Therapist:- Lakh Per Annum
- Radiotherapy Technologist:- 8 Lakh Per Annum
Mostly Asked Questions on Paramedical Programs
Ans- Although every course is best in its way, some of the best courses in Paramedical are Diploma in medical laboratory technology, Bachelor in medical laboratory technology, Diploma in operating theatre technician, and Bachelor in operating theatre technician.
Ans- Physiotherapists, Nurses, Pharmacologists, Technicians, Occupational Therapists are the highest paying paramedical professionals with an average earning of Rs. 3 to 6 lakh per annum.
Some of the best Paramedical courses students can pursue after 12th are Diploma in Anaesthesia, Diploma in Dialysis Technology, Diploma in Medical Imaging Technology, Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology, Diploma in Nursing Care Assistant, etc.