On September 9, 2025, the Directorate General of Health Services (“DGHS”) under MoHFW issued a letter to the Indian Medical Association President clarifying that physiotherapists cannot use the prefix “Dr.” The move followed objections by the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (“IAPMR”) to the  Physiotherapy Curriculum 2025 of National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, which had proposed allowing physiotherapists with the prefix “Dr.” and suffix “PT.” The directive was withdrawn the next day for further review.

IAPMR highlighted that physiotherapists are not trained medical doctors and should not use the prefix “Dr.” as it misleads patients and the public, potentially leading to quackery. It was also noted that physiotherapists cannot undertake primary care practice and may only treat referred patients, since they are not qualified to diagnose medical conditions, some of which may worsen with inappropriate intervention.

The directive relied on various High Court rulings, which held that unless physiotherapists are enrolled in the State Medical Register, they cannot prefix “Dr.” or practice modern medicine. It also recalled the decision of the Ethics Committee under the Paramedical and Physiotherapy Central Council Bill, 2007, which concluded that the title “Doctor” may only be used by registered medical practitioners of modern medicine, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, and Unani.

Accordingly, the DGHS clarified in categorical terms that “persons with qualifications in physiotherapy are not entitled to use the prefix Dr. under any circumstances whatsoever.” It further emphasised that any physiotherapist using the title “Doctor” without holding a recognised medical qualification would be in violation of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916.