How to Become a Dietitian in India

Do you ever question your eating habits by checking the nutritional content of every food item before consuming it? Does educating people about proper nutrition and eating habits excite you? If the answer is yes, as a young aspiring nutritionist a career as a dietician would suit you well.

Dieticians are counselors who assess and rate their client’s eating patterns and then help them develop a balanced diet based on various dietetic and nutritional concepts. They work with nutrition science and use that understanding in the fields of healthcare and rehabilitation. This article will help you discover how to become a nutritionist or dietitian in India and kickstart your rewarding nutrition career. Explore qualifications, programs, and steps to start your journey.

Table of Contents

What is a Dietitian?
How to Become a Dietician in India?
Become a Dietician: Stream and Subjects in Class 12th
Programs After 12th Standard:
B.Sc. / B.A. Nutrition
B.Sc. Food Technology
Programs After Bachelor’s Degree
M.Sc, in Food and Nutrition
Post Graduate Diploma
Becoming a Dietician: College and Institutes
Difference Between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist in India
How to Become a Registered Dietitian
Conclusion
FAQs

What is a Dietitian?

An expert in recognizing and treating disease-related malnutrition as well as undertaking medical nutrition therapy, such as creating an enteral tube feeding schedule or minimizing the symptoms of cancer cachexia, is a dietitian, medical dietitian, or dietician. Many dietitians work in hospitals and typically meet certain patients when a doctor or nurse requests a nutritional assessment and intervention, such as if a patient has lost the capacity to swallow or needs artificial nourishment due to intestinal failure. Healthcare practitioners with a license to evaluate, identify, and address these issues include dietitians.

A bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics (or an equivalent degree) are required for registration as a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist. Additionally, one or more clinical rotations or internships must be performed. These can be requested independently or can be allocated and overseen by the institution as a part of the organized degree plan.

How to Become a Dietician in India?

If you want to know how to become a dietician in India listed below will help you understand:

Pass the 12th grade in any field of study (science with biology is preferred).
Pursue a B.Sc. in food technology or a B.Sc. in nutrition.
Consider pursuing an M.Sc. in Food and Nutrition or a PG Diploma in Nutrition.
To get the Registered Dietician license from the IDA, you must complete a 6-month internship and pass the Registered Dietician entrance exam.

Become a Dietician: Stream and Subjects in Class 12th

You can choose any stream for your class 12 studies, but the science stream (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) is highly advised because it offers up more course options and employment possibilities. Additionally, focusing on human physiology in Biology as a subject will help you establish a foundation.

Programs After 12th Standard

In India, you can major in a variety of degrees to become a dietician, including a B.Sc. in nutrition and a B.Sc. in home science. All of these undergraduate programs have merit-based admission requirements.

1. B.Sc. / B.A. Nutrition

It is a 3-year study that covers a wide range of subjects, including human physiology, the fundamentals of nutrition, food biotechnology, health, weight loss techniques, etc. The degree not only emphasizes general health but also offers knowledge in areas like maternity and child nutrition, public health, etc. Additionally, you will learn about the basics of the bakery, food and quality analysis, and other topics. By the end of the course, you will have received training in creating personalized weight loss plans and diet charts.

2. B.Sc. Food Technology

The proper handling of food is the main topic of this three-year course. The process through which various food science principles are applied to the choice, preservation, packaging, and secure delivery of food is known as food technology. You will learn about the fundamentals of food technology, the foundations of food science, nutrition, food processing and engineering, food preparation, etc. during the course. You will also receive training in the assessment and testing of food quality. Understanding the science underlying food and nutrition will be made easier by taking this Nutrition courses, which will also give you access to a variety of possibilities outside of nutrition.

Programs After Bachelor’s Degree

Following graduation, you can choose to pursue a Master’s degree in Food and nutrition or one of the postgraduate degrees in nutrition and dietetics (such as the Post-Graduate Diploma in Dietetics & Public Health Nutrition). To give yourself a competitive edge in the employment market, it is highly advised that you seek a master’s degree. With the help of internships and research, the degree provides you with both academic knowledge and real-world experience. Additionally, the themes are covered in more depth.

1. M.Sc in Food and Nutrition

You have the opportunity to select your area of expertise from a variety of food and nutrition-related topics in post-graduate programs, including Clinical Health (working with clinical patients), Child/Adolescents, Public Health, Food Processing, etc. Advanced Human Nutrition, Therapeutic Nutrition, Food Science, Quality Control, etc. are the main topics of the course. An internship lasting 6 to 8 months must be finished. You’ll be required to work in various capacities and go through a demanding training process.

Another extremely significant and vital component of the course is the dissertation. A dissertation is a condensed study project in which you choose a topic of interest and carry out research on it. You will be exposed to the research side of the subject, providing you the ability to put what you learn in your textbooks into practice. Exams administered by separate institutions serve as the entry point for admission to the various postgraduate programs.

2. Post Graduate Diploma

Postgraduate degrees typically last one year and are quite thorough. You will learn the foundations of public nutrition, therapeutic nutrition, public health nutrition, and institutional food management in these courses. These are some of the fundamental components of these courses, however, course formats vary amongst universities. The majority of them conclude with a 7-8 week-long required internship at a healthcare facility. Programs for the PG Diploma are selectively admitted.

A postgraduate diploma suffices in the majority of circumstances, but an M.Sc. would be a preferable choice if you wish to study in-depth and complete a dissertation at the post-graduate level. A PG Diploma will do if all you want to do is get your Registered Dietician Licence.

Becoming a Dietician: College and Institutes

Here are a few colleges for B.A, B.Sc., PG Diploma, and M.Sc. Courses in food and nutrition:

Lady Irwin College (New Delhi)
Institute of Home Economics, (New Delhi)
SNDT Women’s University (Mumbai)
Women’s Christian College (Chennai)
All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Nirmala Niketan (Mumbai)

Difference Between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist in India

Although the terms dietitian and nutritionist are often used interchangeably, they differ in education, practice, and career opportunities. The table below highlights the key differences between the two in India.

Aspect	Nutritionist	Dietitian
Definition	Nutritionists provide advice on the kinds and amounts of food people should eat to manage weight and improve overall health.	Dietitians are qualified professionals who give medical nutrition advice to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or clinical settings.
Education & Career Path	A nutritionist career in India can be pursued after completing specialized education in nutrition and dietetics.	Dietitians require formal training, clinical practice, and licensing to work in medical or clinical settings.
Scope of Work	Focuses on general well-being, lifestyle-based guidance, and preventive health. Can work as Clinical Nutritionist, Paediatric Nutritionist, Sports Nutritionist, Consultant Nutritionist, Public Health Nutritionist, etc.	Focuses on clinical and therapeutic diets tailored to patients’ medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, or recovery from accidents.
Practice Limitation	Nutritionists are not permitted to practice as dietitians.	Dietitians cannot work as nutritionists without specific qualifications.
Courses & Fees	Courses in nutrition vary, and one can choose specialization areas. Fees depend on the institute.	There are dedicated dietitian courses; fees vary across colleges.
Salary in India	Nutritionist salaries vary depending on specialization and industry.	Average dietitian salary in India is around ₹4.3 LPA.
Licensing	No formal license required in many cases, though certification adds credibility.	A license is required to practice independently as a clinical dietitian.

How to Become a Registered Dietitian?

You will be referred to as a nutritionist once you have earned your undergraduate degree and postgraduate diploma. It is necessary to register as a Registered Dietician with the Indian Dietetic Association in order to be referred to as a dietician.

You must pass the admission test offered by the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA) to become a Registered Dietician. To be qualified for the exam, you must have either finished a Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics or an M.Sc. in Food & Nutrition, followed by a 6-month internship following graduation.

There are two papers in the test. Human Physiology, Biochemistry, Physiologic and Metabolic Changes in Disease, Food Microbiology, Sanitation and Hygiene, and other topics are covered in Paper 1. Paper 2 covers food services management, community nutrition, diet therapy (theory), nutrition education, and dietitian counseling. It also covers human nutrition and meal management.

Conclusion

We have answered your question of how to become a dietician in India. The information included above will assist you in beginning your career as a dietician. Dietitian salary in India is based on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and future employment prospects. The dietitian course fees vary from college to college.

FAQs

What is a dietitian and how is it different from a nutritionist?

A dietitian is a healthcare professional trained to provide medical nutrition therapy to patients, while a nutritionist generally focuses on lifestyle and dietary advice. If you’re exploring how to become a dietitian in India, remember that dietitians require formal qualifications and clinical training, whereas nutritionists often do not need licensing.

What educational qualifications are required to become a dietitian in India?

To begin your journey on how to become a dietitian in India, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a related field. Many aspiring professionals also pursue postgraduate courses to specialize further and increase career opportunities.

Do I need to complete an internship to become a registered dietitian?

Yes, completing an internship is mandatory if you want to work as a registered dietitian. The internship provides practical clinical exposure, which is essential to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world patient care.

What exams or registrations are required to practice as a dietitian in India?

In India, to practice as a registered dietitian, you must clear the registration exam conducted by the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA). Passing this exam and fulfilling the eligibility criteria ensures you can legally practice as a professional dietitian.

Can I become a dietitian without a postgraduate degree?

Yes, it is possible to become a dietitian with just a bachelor’s degree, though a postgraduate degree adds more credibility. If you are serious about how to become a dietitian in India, higher qualifications and certifications can enhance your chances of becoming a recognized registered dietitian and open better career opportunities.