How to Become a Radiologist in India: Courses, Salary, and Skills

Table of Contents

How to become a radiologist is one of the most searched questions among science students today – and for good reason. India faces a major shortage of radiologists, with only one specialist for every 100,000 people. This is far below global standards. And the gap has created a strong demand for skilled professionals in hospitals and diagnostic centers across the country. Radiology is a field that blends medicine with modern technology to detect and treat diseases early.

In this blog, you will learn exactly how to become a radiologist in India in 5 simple steps. You will also find details about key radiologist skills and salary.

Radiologist Career Overview: Key Details at a Glance (2025)

How to Become a Radiologist in India: 5-Step Guide

Here is a simple five-step path to help you understand how to build a career in radiology.

Choose science in 10+2

Start your journey by taking Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in Class 11 and 12. These subjects form the base for all medical careers. You will need at least 50% marks in PCB to be eligible for entrance exams. Focus on understanding concepts well, not just memorising them.

2. Clear NEET-UG and complete MBBS

After Class 12, you must clear the NEET-UG exam (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). It is the only way to enter medical college in India.
Once selected, join a recognised medical college to complete your MBBS degree. The course runs for 5.5 years including a one-year internship. You will study anatomy, pathology and physiology. This is also when you get your first experience with diagnostic imaging and patient care.

3. Crack NEET-PG and specialise in radiology

After completing MBBS, you will need to appear for NEET-PG. It allows you to choose a postgraduate specialisation. To become a radiologist, you can pursue one of these:

MD in Radiology (3 years)
DNB in Radiology (3 years)
DMRD – Diploma in Medical Radiodiagnosis (2 years)

These programs train you in advanced imaging, radiation safety, and diagnosis. You will learn to read X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds under expert supervision.

4. Gain practical experience and fellowships

Once you finish your postgraduate degree, hands-on experience is essential. Many radiologists join hospitals or diagnostic centres to work under senior doctors. Some choose fellowship programs to specialise further – such as in Neuroradiology, Interventional Radiology, or Pediatric Radiology. This helps you build skill and confidence in interpreting medical images and managing patients.

5. Get licensed and start practising

Before you start working on your own, register with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or your State Medical Council. After registration, you can practise as a certified radiologist. You can work in hospitals, diagnostic labs or tele-radiology setups that let you report scans online.

Understanding Radiology and the Role of Radiologists

Before you learn how to become a radiologist, let’s first understand what radiology means. You should also know what radiologists do and the main types in this field.

What is radiology?

Radiology is a branch of medicine that uses imaging tools like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds to look inside the human body. These images help doctors detect diseases and other health conditions without surgery.

Who is a radiologist?

A radiologist is a licensed medical doctor who studies and interprets these images to help make accurate diagnoses. They often work closely with other doctors to decide the best treatment for a patient. Some radiologists also perform image-guided procedures, such as biopsies or treatments using special imaging techniques.

What does a radiologist do?

A radiologist plays a key role in diagnosing and guiding treatment through medical imaging. As a radiologist, your main tasks will include:

Studying medical images to understand what is happening inside the body.
Detecting fractures, tumours or internal infections.
Preparing clear reports from imaging results.
Guiding doctors on the right treatment approach.
Performing image-guided procedures such as biopsies.
Checking how patients respond to treatments.
Making sure every scan is safe and accurate.

Types of radiologists

Radiology has different specialisations. Each type focuses on a specific area of the body or a particular medical need.

Diagnostic radiologist – Examines medical images to detect and monitor diseases.
Interventional radiologist – Uses imaging guidance to perform minimally invasive treatments.
Radiation oncologist – Treats cancer using controlled doses of radiation.
Pediatric radiologist – Specialises in imaging for children and infants.
Neuroradiologist – Focuses on brain and nervous system imaging.
Musculoskeletal radiologist – Examines bones, joints and muscles.

Why Choose Radiology as a Career?

Radiology is a growing and stable medical career in India. With only 20,000 radiologists for over 1.4 billion people, there is a huge gap in supply and demand. This shortage means more job opportunities and strong career security for new doctors entering this field.

The healthcare sector in India is expanding by 15% each year. This creates steady demand for radiologists.
The field offers high earning potential. Radiologists earn between ₹11 lakh and ₹50 lakh per year on average.
Demand is high in both private and government healthcare sectors.
You can work in hospitals, diagnostic labs, or tele-radiology, giving flexibility and location freedom.
Continuous advances in AI and imaging technology make it an exciting and future-ready career.

Tips to Build a Successful Career in Radiology

Building a good career in radiology takes more than completing your degree. You need practical skills and continuous learning to grow in this field.

Start preparing for NEET early to build a strong base.
Get hands-on experience during internships and training.
Practise writing short and clear scan reports.
Keep learning new imaging techniques and tools.
Study anatomy deeply to read images correctly.
Stay updated on AI and digital imaging trends.
Attend workshops or conferences to network with experts.
Choose a specialisation that matches your interests.
Build your own folder of unique cases to study later.
Learn from mistakes by reviewing scan errors.

Small habits like these help you become more confident and accurate as a radiologist.

Average Salary of a Radiologist in India

Radiology is one of the highest-paying medical fields in India. According to Ambition Box, the average annual salary for radiologists is around ₹27.1 lakh.

Radiologists with 0 to 10 years of experience earn between ₹4.5 lakh and ₹51 lakh per year.
The average monthly in-hand salary is around ₹1.5 to ₹1.6 lakh.
Independent radiologists and those working in tele-radiology can earn even higher income.

Radiologist salary in India as per experience:

Radiologist salary in India as per location:

Radiologist salary in India at top companies:

Key Skills for Radiologists

To succeed as a radiologist, you need a mix of medical knowledge, technical skills, and a sharp eye for detail.

Strong understanding of human anatomy
Good observation and interpretation skills
Technical knowledge of imaging machines
Clear and concise report writing
Analytical and problem-solving ability
Good communication with doctors and patients
Patience and attention to detail
Continuous learning and curiosity about new imaging methods

Radiographer vs Radiologist: Key Differences

Many people confuse radiographers with radiologists, but their roles are quite different. Here is a simple comparison to help you understand better.

	Radiologist	Radiographer
Qualification	MBBS + MD/DNB in Radiology	BSc or Diploma in Radiography
Role	Medical doctor who diagnoses diseases using scans	Trained professional who operates imaging machines
Study duration	8–10 years	2–4 years
Work type	Interprets X-rays, CT, and MRI results	Captures medical images for diagnosis
Average salary (India)	₹27 lakh per year	₹2.9 lakh per year
Workplace	Hospitals, diagnostic centres, tele-radiology	Hospitals, imaging labs, clinics

FAQs

How long does it take to become a radiologist?

It typically takes 10–12 years — including MBBS (5.5 years), MD or DNB in Radiology (3 years), and optional fellowships or super-specializations (1–3 years).

What are the top radiology courses?

Top courses include B.Sc. in Radiology, Diploma in Radiography, MD/DNB in Radiology, and M.Sc. in Medical Imaging Technology.

Can I be a radiologist without MBBS?

You can become a radiology technologist (operating imaging machines), but not a radiologist doctor without completing MBBS and postgraduate studies in radiology.

Is it hard to be a radiologist?

Radiology requires strong analytical, technical, and visual interpretation skills. It’s challenging but highly rewarding, with strong demand and pay.

Is NEET required for radiology?

Yes, NEET-UG is required for MBBS admission, and NEET-PG for MD/DNB Radiology. For paramedical diplomas, NEET may not be mandatory.

What are the alternative routes to radiology?

You can pursue B.Sc. Radiography, Diploma in Medical Imaging, or Certificate courses in X-ray and CT/MRI technology to work as a technologist.

What is the radiology course fees?

Fees vary widely — from ₹1–5 lakhs for paramedical diplomas to ₹10–25 lakhs for MD/DNB programs in private colleges.

What are the top colleges for radiology in India?

Leading institutes include AIIMS Delhi, CMC Vellore, JIPMER Puducherry, KMC Manipal, and PGIMER Chandigarh.

How to become a radiologist after 12th?

After 12th (Science with PCB), clear NEET-UG, complete MBBS, then pursue MD/DNB Radiology. Alternatively, take B.Sc. Radiography to enter the field as a technologist.

What are the career opportunities in radiology?

Radiologists can work in hospitals, diagnostic centers, research, and tele-radiology, or as consultants. Roles include radiologist doctor, sonologist, MRI/CT specialist, or imaging technologist.