HEALTH AND MEDICINE

Genetic Counsellor

Explains genetic test results and inherited disease risks to patients and families in hospitals and labs.

Biology needed After a degree Private sector

Facts checked 29/10/2026

Is this for me?

People in this work enjoy

Explaining hard science in simple, kind words
Working with doctors, labs and families on the same case
Seeing a worried person leave with clear answers

It may not suit you if you dislike

Giving news about an inherited illness, which can be heavy
Years of study: about 5 years after Class 12 before you start work
Few openings in smaller towns, so you may need to move

Class 11–12 subjects: Class 12 with Biology (and usually Chemistry). Then a 3-year B.Sc in Life Sciences or a related subject, often with 50–55% marks, depending on the college.
First degree: B.Sc in Life Sciences or a related subject (3 years), then an M.Sc in Genetic Counselling or Genomic Counselling (2 years, 4 semesters). The M.Sc includes clinical postings and a dissertation.
Entrance exams: No single national exam was found for these courses. Each institute usually runs its own entrance test or merit list, and some accept other PG entrance exams (reported).
Licence or registration: None needed to start working.

Subjects that keep this door openClass 11–12: Physics + Chemistry + Biology.Biology needed.Way back: You can add the missing subject later as an extra subject (for example through NIOS) and still apply, but check the exam's and college's rules. A longer road, but open.Check your subjects against every career

What the work is like

Taking family and medical histories, explaining test results and inherited risks, and helping families weigh their choices. Work is done with doctors, labs, nurses and social workers in hospitals, IVF and prenatal clinics, cancer care and genetic testing labs.

A day in the work
Your morning may begin with reading a patient's file and family history. Later you might meet a couple whose scan showed a possible condition, and explain in plain words what a test can and cannot tell them. In the afternoon you may draw a family tree, write clinic notes, or check with the lab about a result that is still pending. Some days end with a call to a family that needs more time to decide.

The path, step by step

Step 1 · Class 11–12Take Biology and Chemistry. Learn simply how traits and some illnesses pass from parents to children, and read about genes and DNA.
Step 2 · After Class 12Do a 3-year B.Sc in Life Sciences, Zoology, Biotechnology, Microbiology or a similar subject. Many M.Sc courses ask for around 50–55% in this degree.
Step 3 · After the degreeApply to an M.Sc in Genetic Counselling. Each institute sets its own selection, often a written test, sometimes with an interview. Check each college's eligibility list, since some accept only MBBS, BDS, nursing or life-science graduates. (reported — check with the official body)
Step 4 · 2 yearsStudy the M.Sc. Expect about 1.5 years of classes and lab work, then a clinical rotation and a research dissertation.
Step 5 · After the courseLook for work in hospital genetics clinics, prenatal and cancer care, IVF centres or testing labs, often under a medical geneticist. A PhD in human genetics is a further option. (reported — check with the official body)

Time and money

Stage	Time	Government college or body	Private college	Help available
Class 11–12 (Biology and Chemistry)	2 years	Your school's fees	Your school's fees	—
B.Sc in Life Sciences or related subject	3 years	Check the college's fee page	Check the college's fee page	—
M.Sc in Genetic Counselling: entrance test or merit list	Check the notice	Check the notice	Check the notice	—
M.Sc in Genetic Counselling (classes, lab work, clinical rotation, dissertation)	2 years	Check the college's fee page	Check the college's fee page	SGPGIMS Lucknow: interns paid ₹8,000 per month during 180-day internship (year not stated)

Total timeAbout 5 years after Class 12

Total costDepends mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages.

Good to knowNo licence was found; ask whether the certificate is recognised by hospitals, and seats are few, so you may need to move cities.

Fees from: SGPGIMS Lucknow: M.Sc Genetic Counseling curriculum (PDF). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

What people earn

Earnings depend on whether you work in a government hospital, a private hospital or a lab, on your city, and on your experience. Starting jobs are usually modest, and senior or private-clinic roles tend to pay more.

Myth and fact

Myth: ~~A genetic counsellor tells the family what to do about a test result.~~

Fact: The counsellor explains the risks, the options, and what a result does and does not mean. The family makes its own decisions.

Try it now

Class 7–9Draw a simple family tree of your own family for three generations. Mark which illnesses or traits seem to run in it.
Class 10–12Watch free basic genetics lessons on DIKSHA, then explain one lesson to a friend or parent in your own words.Open link ↗
College or afterTake a free NPTEL course on genetics or molecular biology. Note which parts a counsellor would need to explain to patients.Open link ↗

Good to know

Only a small number of Indian institutes run this course, so seats are few. You may need to move to another city to study.
Some courses exclude Ayurveda and Homeopathy graduates. Read each course's eligibility rules carefully.
I could not find a national licence for genetic counsellors. Ask the college whether its certificate is recognised by hospitals before you join.
Eligibility and entrance rules change from year to year. Read the official brochure of each college before you apply.

Sources: SGRD University of Health Sciences: M.Sc Genetic Counselling syllabus (PDF) · SGPGIMS Lucknow: M.Sc Genetic Counseling curriculum (PDF) · Manipal: M.Sc (Genomic Counseling) programme page · JSS Academy of Higher Education: M.Sc Medical Genetics & Counselling course page