Sports Medicine Specialist
Doctor who looks after the health of sportspersons and others doing intense physical activity.
Overview
Sports Medicine is an emerging field in India. A Sports Medicine Specialist focuses on the health of sportspersons or anyone involved in low to high intensity physical activities.
Where they work
- Hospitals
- Medical clinics
- Rehabilitation centres
- Colleges and universities
- Professional sports organizations
Work environment
You are likely to work with a particular athletic team or a university sports team or a fitness club. You are also likely to work in a team, as you may need to consult with the trainers and coaches. If you are working with a team, their work hours will determine your work hour. If you are part of a university team or fitness club then you are likely to work 5 to 6 days a week and 8 to 9 hours a day.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have strong interest in sports and psychology
- You have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- You are good at building trust and maintaining confidentiality
- You are willing to serve and help others
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree (M.B.B.S.) in Sports Medicine.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree, followed by an M.D. in Sports Medicine.
Alternative route 3
- 1Pursue a PGDM in Sports Medicine.
- 2For admissions, you must qualify All India Sports Medicine Post Graduate entrance test or NEET-PG National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post-Graduation.
Forms, exams and applications
The All India Sports Medicine postgraduate entrance test, or NEET-PG. Check the official notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Medicine. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra
- Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, New Delhi
- Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur
- Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, Bihar
- Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi
- Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal, Karnataka
- Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu
- AWH Special College, Calicut, Kerala
- Amity Institute of Physiotherapy, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Career Point University, Kota, Rajasthan
- Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Jhansla, Punjab
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Intern
- 2Junior Physician
- 3Physician, General
- 4Senior Physician, General
- 5Head of the Department
- 6Medical Director/Superintendent
Related careers to explore
Physiotherapist
Treats injury and restores movement and function using massage, exercise and other techniques.
Athlete Development Specialist
Helps athletes enhance performance and manages their athletic careers and brand.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science, Physical Education.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to helping people.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Lt Gen SA Cruze — Considered to be one of the pioneers in Sports Medicine in India. He was instrumental in the establishment of state-of-the-art sports medicine and human performance evaluation lab for the Army's Sports Medical Centre and in setting up similar labs for the Sports Authority of India (SAI). For his service to sports in the country, he was awarded the Shiv Chhatrapati Award by the Maharashtra Government and the Krida Bhushan Award by Symbiosis International University.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 427 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Physician_%2F_Doctor%2C_Sports_Medicine/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The card places Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam in Karnataka; it is in Tamil Nadu, and the state is corrected here.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.