Institute of Legal and Management Studies

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (November 4) passed an order against the usage of "Dr." prefix by physiotherapists and occupational therapists who do not possess recognised medical qualification.

Justice V.G. Arun was told that there is a conflict between the provisions of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916 (Exhibit P1) and the clauses in the Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy [Exihibit P1(a)].

The Court also noted that there was a direction by the the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare regarding removal of the usage of the prefix “Dr.” for Physiotherapists in the Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy – Approved Syllabus, 2025 since any Physiotherapist using the title 'Doctor' without holding a recognised medical qualification would be violating the Indian Medical Degrees Act.

Finding that a prima facie case has been made out, the Court observed:

"there shall be a direction to the competent authorities to ensure that the prefix “Dr.” mentioned in Exts.P1 and P1(a) is not used by Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists without recognised medical qualification."

The case is posted next on December 1.

The petition is moved by Advocates V.V. Asokan (Sr.), S. Parvathi, T.K. Sreekala, Nikitha Susan Paulson, Uthara Asokan and K.G. Anil.

Case No: W.P.(C) No.41064 of 2025

Case Title: Indian Association Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation (IAPMR) v. Union of India and Ors.

Click to Read/Download Order