Top Psychology Entrance Exams in India | Explore the Psychology exams in India
Are you a psychology graduate or have recently developed an interest in psychology and are looking to build the right career in Psychology? As psychology became a popular career choice in India, various career opportunities are associated with areas like clinical psychology, counselling, organizational psychology, academic psychology, and research.
There are various entrance exams in Psychology that open doors to a course or career paths that provide training, licensing, and professional opportunities in Psychology.
In this article, we’ll cover the top psychology entrance exams in India, with insights on eligibility, exam patterns, and other details.
Whether you’re interested in teaching/research or clinical practice, understanding these exams/courses will help you make the best choices for your career in psychology.
Psychology Entrances for Undergraduate Students
CUET PG Psychology
CUET PG is a nationwide entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the purpose of admission into various PG Programs, including MA or MSc in Psychology. A master’s degree in Psychology is compulsory for everyone who plans to make a career in Psychology. Hence, CUET PG Psychology is one of the important exams for all undergraduate students aiming for a career in Psychology.
Eligibility: Any bachelor’s degree course.
Click here to read more about Master’s Psychology Entrances
GATE Psychology
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the most famous and toughest national-level examinations in India. The GATE exam assesses a candidate’s knowledge of undergraduate-level subjects in Science, Architecture, Engineering, Technology, and Humanities.
For Psychology students, IITs offer an M.Sc in Cognitive Science and a PhD in Psychology with multiple research areas. It means if you are planning to get admission into an MSc Cognitive Science or a PhD Psychology course in IITs, then GATE Psychology scores may help you in the process.
Additionally, the GATE score is also used by some public sectors and other government agencies like DRDO/ISRO/BARC for (Scientist ‘B’) recruitment purposes.
Click here to learn more about GATE Psychology
Eligibility: Any bachelor’s degree course.
GRE Psychology
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is part of the admissions process for many graduate colleges/universities in the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking countries.
GRE Psychology (Subject Test) is specifically useful for candidates willing to study psychology at the graduate level in foreign countries.
Eligibility: Any bachelor’s degree course.
Click here to learn everything about the GRE Exam
UPSC/ State PSC Psychology optional
The optional paper is part of UPSC Civil Services Exams (CSE) and other State PSC mains exams. The optional paper helps aspirants to secure high marks, which can lead them to maximum scores in aggregate and help in making the cut-offs.
Psychology is one of the subjects that can be chosen as an optional paper during the preparation of mains for UPSC Civil Services Exams (CSE) and other State PSC exams.
Click here to read more about UPSC Psychology optional
Psychology Entrances for Postgraduate Students
UGC NET JRF in Psychology
The UGC-NET is a national-level examination that determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship & Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been given the responsibility by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to conduct the UGC-NET. The exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode in multiple shifts.
NET JRF Psychology exam is also crucial for students seeking admission into a PhD Psychology course. The students with valid NET JRF scores are exempted from entrance exams for PhD Psychology admissions.
Eligibility: Master’s degree in Psychology with 55% marks
Click here to learn all about NET JRF Psychology
MA Clinical Psychology (RCI) (Formerly M.Phil Clinical Psychology)
The MA in Clinical Psychology, regulated by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), is a professional postgraduate course specifically designed to train students to become licensed Clinical Psychologists in India. This course replaces the earlier M.Phil in Clinical Psychology program from 2025-26 onwards and provides both academic knowledge and practical clinical training under RCI guidelines.
It is important to understand that this RCI-recognised MA in Clinical Psychology is different from the regular MA or MSc degrees in Psychology, Applied Psychology, or Clinical Psychology offered by many universities, such as Delhi University (DU), Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), and others.
Those university-based master’s degrees are general academic programs in psychology and do not include the supervised clinical training or professional licensing eligibility that the RCI course provides. As a result, students who complete a regular MA or MSc in Psychology cannot register with the RCI as Clinical Psychologists unless they complete the RCI-recognised course (previously M.Phil, now the new MA in Clinical Psychology).
Eligibility: A four-year BA/B.Sc degree in Psychology from a UGC-recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates). Candidates with a three-year undergraduate degree in Psychology must either Complete fourth-year Bridge Course, OR Pass the first year of a master’s program in Psychology with a minimum of 55% marks.
Click here to read more about the MA in Clinical Psychology (RCI).
ALSO READ: RCI Approved MA Clinical Psychology Colleges in India
PDCP and PsyD Clinical Psychology
Similar to M.Phil Clinical Psychology, these two courses are designed to help an individual obtain an RCI Licence. The Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP) is a 1-year diploma course that provides specialized clinical training. The holder of a PDCP degree is eligible to get a license as a Clinical Psychologist (Associate). PsyD is a 4-year doctorate course that provides a student with a specialized degree called the Doctor of Psychology. Along with a doctorate, this course allows a student to obtain an RCI license as a Clinical Psychologist.
Eligibility: First-class master’s degree in Psychology
State Commission (Assistant Professor) Exams
Besides individual colleges, many states in India announce vacancies for Assistant Professor posts for various subjects, including Psychology. These exams are generally taken by State public service commissions such as HPSC, RPSC, MPPSC, UPPSC, BPSC, MPSC, and Others.
Candidates appointed by state commissions receive good remuneration and enjoy the benefits provided to officer-grade state government employees.
Eligibility: Master’s degree in Psychology with 55%.
Click here to learn about the HPSC Psychology Assistant Professor 2024
PGT Psychology Exams
Teaching is one of the most respected professions; candidates who are looking to become post-graduate teachers in schools need to appear in entrance exams. The syllabus for PGT Psychology exams is similar to the UGC NET JRF Psychology only.
Eligibility: A master’s degree in Psychology with a B.Ed or M.Ed degree.
