Summary
A Physician Associate and Assistant diagnoses and treats patients, working in hospitals, clinics or community health programmes, and carries direct clinical responsibility for the people under their care. In India this work sits inside the Paramedical Sciences stream: students usually take Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) in Class 11–12, qualify through B.Sc. in the allied-health specialisation (nursing, MLT, radiology, optometry…), and specialise later through work experience or a master's. The sections below set out the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes in India and abroad, and the day-to-day reality of the job.
Core skills
- Clinical reasoning and diagnostic skill
- Steady hands and calm decision-making under pressure
- Communication with anxious patients and families
- Lifelong study of updated protocols
Where you can work
- Government hospitals and district health services
- Private hospitals and nursing homes
- Own clinic or group practice
- Medical colleges, research and public-health programmes
Professional Opportunities
Government hospitals and district health services
Private hospitals and nursing homes
Own clinic or group practice
Medical colleges, research and public-health programmes
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | B.Sc. in the allied-health specialisation (nursing, MLT, radiology, optometry…) | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | M.Sc. in the specialisation | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | Ph.D., professional certifications, or senior practice in the field | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: B.Sc. in the allied-health specialisation (nursing, MLT, radiology, optometry…).
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AIIMS, New Delhi | AIIMS-EE | aiims.edu/ |
| 2 | Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, JIPMER, Puducherry | NEET-UG | jipmer.edu.in/ |
| 3 | PGIMER, Chandigarh | PGIMER-EE | pgimer.edu.in/ |
| 4 | Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu | Based on merit | cmch-vellore.edu/ |
| 5 | Government Medical College, Chandigarh | GCET | gmch.gov.in/ |
| 6 | Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu | SRU-EE | sriramachandra.edu.in/ |
| 7 | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi | IPU-CET, CUET-UG | ipu.ac.in/ |
| 8 | Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi | JH-ET | jamiahamdard.edu/ |
| 9 | MAHE (KMC Manipal, KMC Mangalore & MTMC Jamshedpur) | MET | manipal.edu/ |
| 10 | Dr.M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Based on merit | drmgrdu.ac.in/ |
| 11 | Sri Venkateswara Institute, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh | — | svimstpt.ap.nic.in/ |
| 12 | Dr. D. Y. Patil School of Allied Health Sciences, Pune, Maharashtra | AICET-UG | alliedsciences.dpu.edu.in/ |
| 13 | Dr. YSR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh | AP EAMCET | drysruhs.edu.in/ |
| 14 | Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh | CUET-UG | amity.edu/ |
| 15 | SHUATS, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh | SOETAP - UG | shuats.edu.in/ |
| 16 | University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, New Delhi | Entrance Exam | ucms.ac.in/ |
| 17 | St.John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka | Entrance Exam and Interview | stjohns.in/ |
| 18 | K.L.E. Academy of Higher Education & Research, Belagavi, Karnataka | Based on merit | kledeemeduniversity.edu.in/ |
| 19 | Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, Dwarka, Uttar Pradesh | CUET-UG | dseu.ac.in/ |
| 20 | Dr. B R Ambedkar Medical College Hospital, Bengalore, Karnataka | KEA-CET | bramc.edu.in/ |
| 21 | EMS Memorial Cooperative Hospital and Research Centre, Malappuram, Kerala | Based on merit | emscollegeofparamedical.com/ |
| 22 | K S Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore, Karanataka | Based on merit | kshema.nitte.edu.in/ |
| 23 | NITIE University, Mangaluru, Karnataka | — | nitte.edu.in/ |
| 24 | Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala | NEET-UG | kuhs.ac.in/ |
| 25 | Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad | TS-EAMCET | nims.edu.in/ |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | United States | www.jhu.edu/ |
| King's College London | United Kingdom | www.kcl.ac.uk/ |
| University of Sydney | Australia | www.sydney.edu.au/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIIMS-EE | AIIMS Entrance Exam | B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Post Basic Nursing & Various Paramedical Courses in all AIIMS across India | aiimsexams.ac.in/ |
| MHT-CET | Maharashtra Technical Common Entrance Test | B. Pharma. and Pharma-D Courses in all Govt. & Affiliated Colleges in Maharashtra | cetcell.mahacet.org |
| WBJEE | West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam | B.Pharm. courses across colleges in West Bengal | wbjeeb.in/ |
| OJEE Form A | — | B.Pharm. in affiliated colleges across Orissa | ojee.nic.in/ |
| PARA-CET 124 | Paramedical Common Entrance Test | BPT, BPO, BOT, B.Sc. MLT, BASLP Programs across affiliated colleges of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi | ipu.ac.in/ |
| BPHARMA CET 133 | Pharmacy Common Entrance Test | Bachelor of Pharmacy program across affiliated colleges of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi | ipu.ac.in/ |
| PHARM UG, CET Optom, SLPCET, B.Sc. Nursing, BPTHCET | — | B.Pharm. & B.Optom. BASLP, B.Sc. Nursing & B.Physio at Bharati Vidyapeeth Pune-Maharashtra | bvuniversity.edu.in/ |
| IMAT | Indian Medical Aptitude Test | BPT at Institute of Health Sciences, Bhubaneshwar-Orissa | ihsindia.org/ |
| JMI-ET | JMI Entrance Test | BPT Program at Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi | jmi.ac.in/ |
| KEA-CET | Karnataka Examination Authority Common Entrance Test | B. Pharma and Pharma-D course in all Govt. & Affiliated Colleges in Karnataka | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ |
| TS-EAMCET AM | Engineering Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test Agriculture Medicine | B Pharm. / Pharm D. across Universities in Telangana | eamcet.tsche.ac.in/ |
| WB-JENPAS UG | West Bengal Joint Entrance for Nursing, Physiotherapy, Audiology at University of Health-UG | B.Sc. Nursing, Physiotherapy, BHA and other Paramedical Degree Courses across Affiliated Colleges of West Bengal University of Health Sciences Kolkata | wbjeeb.nic.in/ |
| SRU-EE Group A | SRU Entrance Exam | Pharmacy, Nursing and other Paramedical and Allied Health Sciences Courses at Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai | sriramachandra.edu.in/ |
| PGIMER-EE | PGIMER Entrance Exam | B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Post basic and Paramedical Courses at PGIMER Chandigarh | pgimer.edu.in/ |
| RACKON-ST | RACKON Selection Test | B.Sc. Nursing at RACKON New Delhi | rakcon.com/ |
| NMIMS-CET | Common Entrance Test | B.Pharm+MBA (Pharma. Tech.) program at Narsee Monjee, Mumbai, Shirpur and Hyderabad Campuses | nmimscet.in/ |
| AMU-ET | Aligarh Muslim Univ. Entrance Test | 3.5 year Bachelor of Radiation Therapy Technology (BRTT), B.Sc. Nursing and other Paramedical Programs at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh | amu.ac.in/ |
| AU-ET | Assam University Entrance Test | B.Pharma. Program at Assam University, Silchar | aus.ac.in/ |
| PU-CET | PAU Common Entrance Test | B.Pharma. Program at Punjab Agriculture University | cetug.puchd.ac.in/ |
| KIIT-EE | KIIT- Entrance Test | B.Sc. Nursing at KIIT- Bhubaneshwar | kiit.ac.in/ |
| UPESPAT | Pharmacy Aptitude Test | B.Pharma Program at UPES Dehradun | upes.ac.in/ |
| NEET UG | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test | Paramedical Courses across Paramedical Institutions in India | neet.nta.nic.in/ |
| LHMC B.Sc. Nursing-EE | LHMC Entrance Exam | B.Sc. Nursing at College of Nursing, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi | lhmc-hosp.gov.in/ |
| SRMJEEH (UG) | SRM Joint Entrance Examination Health Science Program | B.Sc. Nursing, B Optom, B Pharm, BASLP, BOT, BPH, BPT, Pharm D at SRM University, Chennai | srmist.edu.in/ |
| BITSAT | BITS Aptitude Test | B.Pharm at Pilani & Hyderabad campus | bitsadmission.com/ |
Work Description
- 01Examine patients, take a clinical history and order the investigations needed for a diagnosis.
- 02Decide on treatment, prescribe medication or procedures and explain the plan to the patient and family.
- 03Perform or assist in procedures within the scope of the qualification and registration.
- 04Review progress, adjust treatment and refer to super-specialists when required.
- 05Maintain clinical records, follow infection-control protocols and meet council registration norms.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High social respect and secure demand
- Direct, visible impact on people's lives
- Clear specialisation ladder with strong earnings later
Cons
- Very long training before independent practice
- Long duty hours, night calls and emotional strain
- Medico-legal responsibility for every decision
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Physician Associate and Assistant matches your interests and aptitude.
Sources
© HBK Careers. Compiled in-house from official regulators, exam bodies and institute websites. Exam and institute records on this page are the same records used across the HBK handbook and exams pages.