About M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology)
M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology) at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal is a 2-year full-time postgraduate research program recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and affiliated with Manipur University. The course is offered by the Department of Clinical Psychology and trains students in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions through intensive clinical training and research. With only 6 seats per year, it is one of the most competitive and sought-after M.Phil. Clinical Psychology programs in Northeast India. The total course fee is approximately Rs. 41,140 (admission fee + 2 years annual fee), and students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 from the institute, making it highly attractive for aspiring clinical psychologists. The course is offered in full-time on-campus mode and is popular due to its government institute status, stipend support, RCI recognition, and strong clinical training environment.
Admissions for the 2026 session are expected to open around May 2026, based on the 2025 cycle where the last date to apply was June 11, 2025, and the session commenced on July 1, 2025. As of March 2026, the 2026 admission notification has not yet been released. Tentatively, applications are expected to open in May 2026, with the entrance exam likely in late June 2026 and the session commencing July 1, 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official RIMS website (www.rims.edu.in) for the latest notification.
Key Points
- RCI-recognized M.Phil. Clinical Psychology program, one of the few government-funded programs in Northeast India
- Students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 throughout the 2-year course duration
- Only 6 seats available per year, making it highly competitive
- Admission is restricted to residents of the 7 beneficiary states: Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura
- Entrance exam consists of 100 MCQs covering General, Experimental, and Clinically related subjects of Psychology with no negative marking
- Original certificates are retained by the institute until course completion; a bond/penalty applies for mid-course departure
RIMS Imphal M.Phil. Clinical Psychology Fees
The M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology) program at RIMS Imphal is one of the most affordable RCI-recognized programs in India, especially considering the monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 provided to all enrolled students. The one-time admission fee at the time of joining is Rs. 17,740, and the annual fee is Rs. 11,600 per year for the 2-year course. The total course fee (excluding hostel) comes to approximately Rs. 41,140 over 2 years. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at a nominal additional charge.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Year 1 (Rs.) | Year 2 (Rs.) | Total (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Fee (one-time) | 17,740 | - | 17,740 |
| Annual Fee | 11,600 | 11,600 | 23,200 |
| Total Tuition + Admission Fees | 29,340 | 11,600 | 40,940 |
| Application/Entrance Test Fee | 2,000 | - | 2,000 |
| Total Fees | 31,340 | 11,600 | 42,940 |
| Hostel Fee (optional, approx.) | ~1,200 | ~1,200 | ~2,400 |
- The application/entrance test fee of Rs. 2,000 is non-refundable and paid at the time of form submission.
- Hostel fee is not mandatory and is charged separately; it is not included in the Total Fees row above.
- Students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 from RIMS throughout the 2-year course, which effectively offsets the course fees significantly.
- No EMI or installment options are mentioned; fees are payable at the time of admission.
- Candidates who leave the course within 1 year are liable to pay Rs. 1,00,000 as penalty; those leaving after 1 year must pay Rs. 2,50,000, plus return all stipend received.
RIMS Imphal M.Phil. Clinical Psychology Admission 2026
Admission to M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology) at RIMS Imphal is through a college-conducted entrance examination. The process is highly competitive given only 6 seats are available. Applications are submitted offline (or by email) to the Dean (Academic), RIMS Imphal, along with a non-refundable fee of Rs. 2,000. Based on the 2025 cycle, the 2026 admission process is expected to follow a similar timeline starting May 2026.
Important Dates
| Event | Date (2025 Actual) | Tentative 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Notification / Application Opens | May 2025 | May 2026 (tentative) |
| Last Date to Submit Application Form | June 11, 2025 | ~June 2026 (tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | June 16, 2025 | ~June 2026 (tentative) |
| Last Date to Collect Admit Card | June 20, 2025 | ~June 2026 (tentative) |
| Entrance Examination | June 22, 2025 | ~June 2026 (tentative) |
| Result Declaration | June 22, 2025 (same day) | ~June 2026 (tentative) |
| Session Commencement | July 1, 2025 | July 1, 2026 (tentative) |
Entrance Exam Details
| Exam | Conducted By | Mode | Pattern | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIMS M.Phil. Clinical Psychology Entrance Test | RIMS Imphal (College-level) | Offline (Pen & Paper) | 100 MCQs, 90 minutes, No negative marking | Mandatory; only exam accepted for this course |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must hold an M.A./M.Sc. in Psychology from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC categories).
- M.A./M.Sc. Psychology obtained through Distance Education, Correspondence, or Part-time mode is NOT eligible.
- Candidates must be Indian nationals residing in the 7 beneficiary states of RIMS: Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Admission Process
- Download the application form from the official RIMS website (www.rims.edu.in) or collect it from the Academic Section, RIMS Imphal.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee of Rs. 2,000 via bank transfer to the designated Bank of Baroda account (Account No. 59150100002532, IFS Code: BARB0RIMIMP).
- Submit the duly filled application form along with attested photocopies of all required documents to the Dean (Academic), RIMS Imphal, either in person or by email to dean.rims.imphal@gmail.com.
- Appear for the entrance examination (100 MCQs, 90 minutes) at the RIMS Imphal Examination Hall.
- Results are typically declared on the same day as the examination.
- Selected candidates must report for admission with original certificates and pay the admission fee.
- Submit an undertaking/bond at the time of admission as per institute norms.
RIMS Imphal M.Phil. Clinical Psychology Scholarships 2026
RIMS Imphal does not offer traditional scholarships for the M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology) program; however, all enrolled students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 directly from the institute throughout the 2-year course duration. This stipend is a significant financial support and is one of the key reasons students prefer government-funded programs like RIMS over private institutions. Additionally, students from SC/ST/OBC categories may be eligible for central and state government scholarships.
Scholarship Benefits
| Benefit / Scholarship | Amount | Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| RIMS Monthly Stipend | Rs. 25,000 per month | 2 years (entire course) | All enrolled M.Phil. Clinical Psychology students |
| National Fellowship for SC Students (UGC) | As per UGC norms | As applicable | SC category students |
| National Fellowship for OBC Students (UGC) | As per UGC norms | As applicable | OBC category students |
| State Government Scholarships (Manipur / NE States) | Varies by state | As applicable | Students from respective beneficiary states |
- The RIMS stipend of Rs. 25,000/month is provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
- No candidate can enjoy double monetary benefit in terms of stipend (as per RIMS norms).
- Students availing the stipend who leave the course mid-way are required to return the entire stipend amount received, in addition to the penalty bond amount.
- For central government scholarships, students must apply separately through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
RIMS Imphal M.Phil. Clinical Psychology FAQs
Ques. Is the RIMS Imphal M.Phil. Clinical Psychology program recognized by RCI?
Ans. Yes, the M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology) program at RIMS Imphal is fully recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Graduates are eligible to register as Rehabilitation Psychologists (RCI) and practice as licensed clinical psychologists in India.
Ques. Can candidates from outside the 7 Northeast states apply for RIMS M.Phil. Clinical Psychology?
Ans. No. Admission is strictly restricted to Indian nationals who are residents of the 7 beneficiary states of RIMS: Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. Candidates from other states are not eligible to apply.
Ques. Is M.A./M.Sc. Psychology from a distance or correspondence university accepted for eligibility?
Ans. No. Candidates who have completed their M.A./M.Sc. Psychology through Distance Education, Correspondence, or Part-time mode are explicitly NOT eligible for admission to the RIMS M.Phil. Clinical Psychology program. Only regular full-time degrees from recognized universities are accepted.
Ques. What is the stipend amount and when is it paid?
Ans. All enrolled students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 from RIMS Imphal throughout the 2-year course. The stipend is funded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. However, students who leave the course mid-way must return the entire stipend received along with the applicable penalty.
Ques. What is the bond/penalty for leaving the course midway?
Ans. If a student leaves the M.Phil. Clinical Psychology course within 1 year of joining, they must pay Rs. 1,00,000 as compensation to RIMS. If they leave after completing 1 year, the penalty is Rs. 2,50,000. In both cases, the entire stipend received must also be returned. Original certificates are retained by the institute until the course is completed or the penalty is paid.
Ques. How competitive is the RIMS M.Phil. Clinical Psychology entrance exam, and what score is typically needed to get selected?
Ans. The entrance exam is highly competitive given only 6 seats are available. The exam consists of 100 MCQs covering General Psychology, Experimental Psychology, and Clinically related subjects. Based on student experiences, scoring above 70 out of 100 is generally considered a good benchmark for selection. The result is typically declared on the same day as the examination, and inter-se merit (in case of tie) is determined by M.A./M.Sc. percentage, seniority, and age.