Summary
An Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapist works with human behaviour and mental health — assessing, supporting and guiding people through structured, evidence-based methods. In India this work sits inside the Psychology stream: students usually take Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) in Class 11–12, qualify through Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject, 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
- Active listening and empathy
- Test administration and interpretation
- Boundaries and ethical judgement
- Report writing and case documentation
Where you can work
- Hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centres
- Schools, colleges and counselling cells
- Corporate HR, assessment and wellbeing teams
- Private practice, NGOs and tele-therapy platforms
Professional Opportunities
Hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centres
Schools, colleges and counselling cells
Corporate HR, assessment and wellbeing teams
Private practice, NGOs and tele-therapy platforms
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | Master's degree / PG diploma in a specialisation | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | M.Phil. / Ph.D. for research and teaching roles | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject.
- 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 | National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru | NIMHANS Entrance | nimhans.ac.in |
| 2 | Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi | IHBAS Entrance | ihbas.delhigovt.nic.in |
| 3 | Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi | CIP Entrance | cipranchi.nic.in |
| 4 | University of Delhi — Department of Psychology | CUET | du.ac.in |
| 5 | Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi | CUET-UG | lsr.edu.in |
| 6 | Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi | CUET-UG | jmc.ac.in |
| 7 | Christ University, Bengaluru — Department of Psychology | Christ Entrance | christuniversity.in |
| 8 | Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai | TISSNET | tiss.edu |
| 9 | Ambedkar University Delhi — School of Human Studies | CUET-PG | aud.ac.in |
| 10 | Banaras Hindu University — Department of Psychology | CUET | bhu.ac.in |
| 11 | University of Hyderabad — Centre for Health Psychology | CUET-PG | uohyd.ac.in |
| 12 | Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda — Department of Psychology | University Test | msubaroda.ac.in |
| 13 | Gujarat University — Department of Psychology | Merit | gujaratuniversity.ac.in |
| 14 | Fergusson College, Pune — Psychology | Merit | fergusson.edu |
| 15 | St. Xavier's College, Mumbai — Psychology | Merit | xaviers.edu |
| 16 | Amity Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences, Noida | Amity Test | amity.edu |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | www.ox.ac.uk/ |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | www.cam.ac.uk/ |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu/ |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca/ |
| University of Melbourne | Australia | www.unimelb.edu.au/ |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUET-UG | Common University Entrance Test (UG) | BA / B.Sc (Hons) Psychology at central universities. | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| CUET-PG | Common University Entrance Test (PG) | MA / M.Sc Psychology. | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| NIMHANS Entrance | NIMHANS Entrance Examination | M.Phil Clinical Psychology and PsyD programmes. | nimhans.ac.in |
| RCI M.Phil Entrance | Rehabilitation Council of India Recognised Programme Entrance | Licence-track clinical psychology training. | rehabcouncil.nic.in |
| TISSNET | TISS National Entrance Test | MA Applied Psychology and Counselling. | tiss.edu |
| UGC NET (Psychology) | UGC National Eligibility Test | Lectureship and JRF. | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
| Christ Entrance Test | Christ University Entrance Test | UG and PG psychology programmes. | christuniversity.in |
Work Description
- 01Conduct intake interviews and standardised psychological assessments.
- 02Plan and deliver therapy, counselling or intervention sessions.
- 03Track progress against goals and revise the approach with evidence.
- 04Coordinate with families, schools, doctors or employers as needed.
- 05Maintain confidential case notes and follow professional ethics.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Deeply meaningful, people-centred work
- Rapidly growing demand for mental-health support
- Private practice is realistic after licensing
Cons
- Clinical practice needs RCI-recognised M.Phil / PsyD training
- Emotionally heavy caseloads
- Income builds slowly in the early years
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapist matches your interests and aptitude.