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The Allahabad High Court has clarified that a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy (BPT) is not equivalent to an MBBS degree for the purposes of government recruitment, particularly in roles that require a “degree in medicine” under the relevant service rules.
The case arose after a candidate, holding a BPT from Integral University, Lucknow, challenged the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission’s (UPPSC) decision to bar her from an interview for the post of Food Safety Officer. The eligibility criteria for the post, as per the U.P. Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (Food Safety Cadre) Service Rules, 2012, specifically require a “degree in medicine.”
The petitioner argued that her physiotherapy qualification should be considered within the broader field of medicine, citing a University Grants Commission (UGC) notification that classifies physiotherapy under “Health and Allied Sciences.” She also pointed out that her curriculum included medical subjects such as surgery, neurology, and orthopaedics.
However, the High Court bench, led by Justice Ajit Kumar, sided with the UPPSC and the State Government. The court noted that only an MBBS degree recognized under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, fulfills the academic requirement for the post. The court emphasized that neither the erstwhile Medical Council of India nor any government notification had ever recognized physiotherapy as equivalent to a degree in medicine.
The court further stated that the power to determine equivalence of qualifications rests with expert bodies and government authorities, not the judiciary. Unless the State or Central Government formally recognizes a physiotherapy degree as equivalent to an MBBS, such equivalence cannot be assumed for recruitment purposes.
A similar stance was taken in another case, where the court ruled that physiotherapy is a distinct paramedical field and not equivalent to MBBS for appointments to doctor posts. The court stressed that allowing BPT graduates to serve as allopathic doctors would risk public health and lower medical standards.
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This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available judicial decisions. It does not constitute legal advice or an official interpretation of the law. For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified professional or refer to the official court order.
