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| Physio Doctors Upset |
Physiotherapists play a very important role in our hospitals, from helping patients recover after surgery to keeping our armed forces fit. But despite completing a highly specialised medical degree, physiotherapists in India are facing a very big problem. There is no proper system or fixed rule for their recruitment and salary across different government departments.
If we look at recent job advertisements and draft rules from different departments - like the Central Armed Police Forces and State Health Departments - we can see a lot of confusion. Here is why the current system is not working and how it is affecting the physiotherapy profession.
The Salary Problem, Same Degree But Different Pay
The most demotivating thing for young job-seeking physiotherapists is that there is no fixed salary structure for their hard-earned qualifications. Your starting salary and rank depend only on which department is giving you the job, not on the true value of your medical degree.
For example:
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB): In their recent 2026 recruitment advertisement, the SSB asked for applications for the post of Head Constable (Physiotherapy Assistant). This is considered a Group 'C' Non-Gazetted post. The pay scale given is Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100).
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): On the other hand, the CRPF mostly recruits physiotherapists under the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector (Physiotherapist). They are kept in Level-5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300).
State Governments (like Delhi Government): According to the draft rules of the Delhi Health Department, the Physiotherapist post is a Group 'B' post. In state hospitals, full-fledged physiotherapists are usually kept in Level-6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400) or higher.
This means a candidate with the exact same BPT clinical skills could become a Group C Head Constable in one place, or a Group B officer in another. There is a massive difference in their career respect and lifetime salary.
Different in Recruitment Rules
If we look at the eligibility criteria, there is a total mess. Different organisations are asking for completely different things for the same type of job. Some hospitals strictly demand 2 years of experience in a 100-bedded hospital. Some say you need 2 years of experience along with registration with a state council. In some strange cases, government departments are only asking for a Diploma in Physiotherapy, or even just a 1-year certificate course! Meanwhile, other standard departments correctly ask for proper Graduation (BPT). The sad reality is that almost no one is following the proper, standardised rules made by the NCAHP (National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions).
Some departments respectfully call them "Physiotherapists", while others call them "Physiotherapy Assistants" or give them police ranks like "Head Constable". This takes away the professional dignity of the Physiotherapy doctor. In many States, departments, physiotherapists are grouped with general paramedical staff. They do not get proper promotional avenues and often retire after getting only one or two financial upgrades.
If the government wants to keep good physiotherapists in public service, they need to change the system immediately. The government must strictly implement the NCAHP guidelines across all departments. There should be a minimum starting pay scale (like Level-10 for BPT graduates) across all Central, State, and Armed Forces departments. It must be made clear that a proper Degree (BPT) is the minimum standard, and diploma or certificate holders should not be mixed up with degree holders.
Until these recruitment rules are made equal and organised for everyone, the physiotherapy profession will continue to suffer, and the true value of these professionals will remain lost in government files.
Read More: Physiotherapist Unemployment in Tripura