File No.: 4 (6)/2021-H&FW Government of India NITI Aayog (Health & Family Welfare Division) Sansad Marg, New Delhi, Dated- 28.02.2024 OFFICE MEMORANDUM Subject: Minutes of the Meeting on Implementation of Alternative Educational Pathways to the M. Phil. Programs in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work held at NITI Aayog on 09.02.2024-reg The undersigned is directed to forward herewith the final Minutes pf Meeting held under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K Paul on gth Feb, 2024 at 12.30 PM regarding “Implementation of Alternative Educational Pathways to the M. Phil. Programs in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work”, for kind information and necessary action as applicable. 2. This issues with the approval of competent authority. Q Y ra Enc: As above : a (Shoyabahmed Kalal) Dy. Secretary to Government of India NITI Aayog , Tele-23096602 To List of participants(As per Annexure-1) Copy to- 1. PPS to Member (Health), NITI Aayog. 2. PPS to Sr. Adviser (Health), NITI Aayog.NITI Aayog, Government of India Implementation of Alternative Educational Pathways to the M. Phil. Programs in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work Minutes of the Meeting held at NITI Aayog on 09.02.2024 ‘A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr. V. K Paul, Hon'ble Member (Health), NITI Aayog on 9'*Feb, 2024 to discuss and expedite the processes for introducing the recommended alternative educational pathways in the disciplines of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work, in compliance with new guidelines of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as well those of the University Grants Commission (UGC), from the academic year 2024-25, The list of participants is enclosed as Annex1. Hon'ble Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K Paul, welcomed the participants. In the context setting address, he stated that UGC has given its concurrence to continue admission of students in M.Phil. Programs in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work for another two years, ie till 2025-26. Therefore, this meeting was convened to discuss how to expedite the processes for introducing the recommended alternative pathways in the disciplines of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work, from the academic year 2024-25, A brief presentation was made by NITI Aayog on the alternative pathways and recommendations of the committee constituted under the chairmanship of Dr. V.K Paul, Hon’ble Member (Health), NITI Aayog, for the task (summarized in Annexure 2) Abrief description of the two alternative educational pathways is as under: Work (Hons.) of four-year duration each, are the new competency based courses akin to the similar courses in other Allied Professions such as Physiotherapy, Optometry, Occupational Therapy, with the entry level of 12 class completed. * The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) will regulate the B.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Hons.) course and National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) will be the regulatory authority for the Bachelors in Psychiatric Social Work (Hons.) course. 1 Full Report of the Committee may be obtained from Mental Health Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, or from Health Vertical NITI Aayog, 1Pathway 2: + M.A Clinical Psychology and Masters in Psychiatric Social Work- General academic track of four-year graduate courses followed by two-year masters courses in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work, 4+2 (Graduation+ Masters) 6 years’ will replace the hitherto 3+2+2 (Graduation+ Masters+ MPhil.) 7 years’ format. The first stage of this track will be 4-year B.A. in Psychology or Bachelors in Social Work with the entry level of 12th class completed. These courses_will~—scontinue to_—ibe regulated /recognized/guided by University’ Grants Commission (UGC). In the second stage, the 4 years graduation courses will be followed by 2 years Masters courses leading to M.A Clinical Psychology and Masters in Psychiatric Social Work, respectively. © An option of exit after first year of Master’s degree is allowed under the National Education Policy (NEP). In such case, the student will be granted PG Diploma in Clinical Psychology/Psychiatric Social Work after 4+1 years’ training. (Annex. Pathways 2) * The M.A Clinical Psychology course will be regulated by RCI, while Masters in Psychiatric Social Work will be regulated by NCAHP. Following the presentation on pathways and recommendations of the committee, Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) made a presentation on prospective plans for education in Clinical Psychology, as envisaged by RCI. The presentations were followed by deliberations on way forward, for successful implementation of the above pathways from the academic session 2024-25. Discussion The participants discussed and conveyed their keen intent and immediate plans to introduce the new programs in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work, under the two recommended pathways from the academic session 2024-25. The discussion also included the immediate measures required to ensure a seamless transition from the existing to new course curriculum for students presently enrolled in first, second and third (last) year of graduation under Psychology and Social Work of university streams. RCI and NCAHP emphasized that the first three years of the bachelors program in Psychology should have common curriculum covering essential elements of all domains of psychology. In the 4* year, student will be offered more specific teaching/learning experience in domains which they wish to pursue at masters level.‘The suggestion of RCI to rename M.A Clinical Psychology as Masters in Clinical Psychology was appreciated by the Group, and it was suggested that RCI may take up this issue with UGC. RCI informed that the M.Phil. in Rehabilitation Psychology is also being discontinued under NEP, Therefore, alternative pathways for training of Rehabilitation Psychologists should also be considered on the lines of those for Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatric Social Workers. After detailed discussion, following recommendations were made. [ RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendation of the present meeting should be read along with the Report on the subject by the Committee chaired by Member (Health) NITI Aayog.? A. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TWO PROPOSED PATHWAYS FROM 2024-25 ACADEMIC SESSION 1. The regulatory authorities shall ensure that_both the alternative educational pathways (Annex 2) will be implemented from the next academic session in 2024- 25. [NCAHP, RCI, UGC] 1.1 RCI shall develop/restructure course curricula/content and ensure the implementation of B.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Hons.), M.A Clinical Psychology courses and PG Diploma in Clinical Psychology from the academic session 2024-25, [Rel] 1,2. NCAHP shall develop/restructure course curricula/content and ensure the implementation of Bachelors in Psychiatric Social Work (Hons.), Masters in Psychiatric Social Work and PG Diploma in Psychiatric Social Work. courses from the academic session, 2024-25. [NCAHP] 2 Report of the Committee may be obtained from Mental Health Division, Mi Famil ERSpOT oft Commies may be ptined from Mental Health Division, Ministry of Health and Family 31.3, The regulatory authorities and concerned stakeholders will make concerted efforts to identify training institutes/hospitals/mental healthcare hospitals/medical colleges etc, for training in Clinical Psychology or Psychiatric Social Work under both the pathways, and build their capacity well before the beginning of academic session 2024-25, as per regulatory requirements. [RCI, NCAHP] 2, RCI will provide the relevant Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR) number to the students after successful completion of following three courses: * B.Sc, Clinical Psychology (Hons.) (4) years’ duration © M.A Clinical Psychology (4+2) years ‘duration © PG Diploma in Clinical Psychology (4+1) years’ duration [RCI] 3, NCAHP will provide the relevant professional registration to the students after successful completion of following three courses: * Bachelors in Psychiatric Social Work (Hons.) (4) years’ duration * Masters in Psychiatric Social Work (4+2) years ‘duration * PG Diploma in Psychiatric Social Work (4+1) years’ duration [NCAHP] 4, To provide higher qualifications under Pathway 1, in due course, RCI may consider developing course content/ curricula for M.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Hons.) course(s), as postgraduate program after 4-year B.Sc. (Hons.) Clinical Psychology of Pathway 1. Likewise, NCAHP may also consider M.Sc. course(s) in Psychiatric Social Work after 4-year B.Sc, (Hons,) in the subject, IRCI, NCAHP] 5, MoHFW will issue an advisory to States/UTs for all medical colleges / teaching institutions / mental health institutions ete. to pro-actively engage with RCI and NCAHP to offer training opportunities and run courses in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric Social Work, Rehabilitation Psychology and other mental health disciplines as a national effort to meet the acute shortage of these professionals. [MoHFW] 6. MoHFW will develop a comprehensive strategy to create and deploy optimum mental health workforce including trained professionals in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric Social Work and other related behavioural sciences. [MoHFW]B. SEAMLESS TRANSITION FROM EXISTING TO THE PROPOSED TWO PATHWAYS IN ACADEMIC SESSION 2024-25. 1. UGC should immediately make announcement for students presently in third year of existing three years graduation programs of Psychology and Social work and desirous of pursuing Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work as profession, to opt for an additional (4) year, to their existing graduation. This will ensure that they complete 4-year graduation program which is a pre-requisite for masters in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work, by Pathway 2, [ucc] 2. Immediate measures should be taken to develop curricula and course contents for the fourth year (of 4-years graduation programs) in BA in Psychology and Bachelors in Social work at the earliest to be able to implement the same from 2024-25 academic session. This will ensure a seamless transition for interested students from the existing 3-years program to the new 4-years graduation pathway to be eligible for relevant masters programs. [UGC, RCI, NCAHP} C. SAME ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS FOR REHABILITATIVE PSYCHOLOGY. Rehabilitation Psychologists also form a critical workforce for mental healthcare. However, the M. Phil. Course in Rehabilitation Psychology is also being discontinued under NEP, It is therefore recommended that RCI should develop alternative educational pathways in Rehabilitation Psychology, similar to that for Clinical Psychology to be implemented from 2024-25 academic session applying the principles enunciated in aforementioned sections in partnership with UGC. [RCI, DEPwD, UGC]Annexure 1- List of Participants 1 Ministry / Parent Organization _ Name and Designation Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Health) NITI Aayog Shri Rajib Sen, Senior Advisor - "| Dr.Vipul Aggarwal,JS, MOHFW MoHEW Dr. Neha Garg, Director NHM Ms, Kavita Narayan, Technical Advisor Ms. Indrani Kaushal, Economic Adviser | National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Ms.Yagna Unmesh Shukla,Chairperson, NCAHP Dr. S.L. Vaya, Member of Interim Commission Department of Higher Education, M/o Education Rina Sonowal Kouli, Joint Secretary (HE). Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Dr. Sharanjeet Kaur, Chairperson, RCI Shri Rajesh Yadav, !AS, Joint Secretary, DEPwD Shri Vikas Trivedi, Member Secretary, RCI Dr. Sandeep Tambe, Dy. Director, RCI University Grants Commission Dr. N. Gopukumar, Joint Secretary | | Department of Medical Education, Delhi Prof. Dr.Sunita Kalra and team University NIMHANS | Dr. Prabha Chandran | Team of NIMHANS IHBAS | Dr.Rajinder Dhamija, Director IHBAS NITI Aayog Dr. Sudha Goel, Sr. ConsultantAnnexure-2 ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS OF TRAINING IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORK PANEL A: Pathway 1 B.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Hons.) and Bachelors in Psychiatric Social Work (Hons.) of four-years duration each: On the lines of training of Allied and Healthcare Professionals (Physiotherapy, Optometry, Occupational Therapy etc.) B.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Hons.) Bachelors in Psychiatric Social Work (Hons.) Entry level ‘Students who have completed 12" | Students who have class with Science stream or completed 12" class with equivalent. Science or Arts or Commerce streams or equivalent. Graduation B.Sc, Clinical Psychology (Hons.) of Bachelors in Psychiatric four years’ duration with focus on Social Work (Hons.) of four clinical orientation/ education / years’ duration with focus skills beginning from first year. on clinical orientation / education /skills beginning from first year. Regulatory Rehabilitation Council of india (RCI) National Commission for Authority Allied and Healthcare Profession (NCAHP)PANEL B: Pathway 2 M.A. Clinical Psychology and Masters in Psychiatric Social Work: Proposed 4+2 (Graduation+ Masters) format replacing the existing 3+2+2 (Graduation+ Masters+ M.Phil.) system M.A. Clinical Psychology Masters in Psychiatric Social Work Stage I: Four-year Bachelors course Entry level for graduation Students who have completed 12" class with Science or Arts or Commerce streams or equivalent. Graduation B.A. Psychology of four years’ duration with practical orientation/ research in clinical psychology in the last year of graduation. Bachelors in Social Work of four years’ duration with practical orientation/ research in clinical/ medical/ psychiatric social work in the last year of graduation. Sti ‘age II: Two-year Masters course Masters Course M.A. Clinical Psychology of two years’ duration with focus on clinical orientation / education /skills beginning from first year. Masters in Psychiatric Social Work of two years’ duration with focus on clinical orientation / education /skills beginning from first year. Regulatory Authority Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession (NCAHP). Exit option after one year of post-graduation (441) An option of exit after first year of Master’s degree is allowed under the National Education Policy (NEP). In such case, the student will be granted PG Diploma in Clinical Psychology/Psycl ic Social Work after 4+1 years’ training.