Career as a Prosthetist and Orthotist in India: Courses, Jobs and How to Begin

At a glance

A prosthetist and orthotist designs, fits and adjusts artificial limbs and braces for patients. In India, a common entry route is the Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics (BPO) after Class 12 science.

A prosthetist and orthotist designs, fits and adjusts artificial limbs (prostheses) and braces or supports (orthoses) for people with limb loss or movement problems. The work sits where biology, engineering design and patient care meet.

In India, the main route is the Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics (BPO), taken after Class 12 with science. Entry is usually through entrance tests, and SVNIRTAR CET is one example. Government hospitals and state recruitment boards also hire prosthetic and orthotic technicians, with notices seen in 2025 and 2026.

This career suits students who enjoy anatomy and biology, like hands-on making and fitting, and want work where they see a direct difference in patients' daily lives.

Minimum Qualification
Class 12 with science (typically PCB)
Typical Degree
Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics (BPO)
Expected Entry Salary
To be confirmed by our team
Entry-level to Senior
To be confirmed by our team
Job Demand Growth
Recruitment seen in 2025-26 government notices
Work Hours
Typically full-time, clinic or hospital hours
Places of Work
Hospitals, rehab centres, prosthetic workshops

What Does a Prosthetist and Orthotist Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Assess a patient's limb, posture or movement needs, and take measurements, casts or scans.

  • Design a prosthesis or orthosis suited to the patient's condition, activity and lifestyle.

  • Select materials and components, and fabricate the device or supervise its making in a workshop.

  • Fit the device, check alignment and comfort, and make adjustments.

  • Train patients to wear, use and care for their limb or brace, including walking practice.

  • Review devices at follow-up visits and repair or replace worn parts.

  • Work with doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists on a rehabilitation plan.

Where They Work

Government hospitals, medical colleges and rehabilitation institutes employ prosthetists, orthotists and technicians, and state recruitment boards have advertised prosthetic and orthotic technician posts in recent years. The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) has also run recruitment in 2026.

Private prosthetic and orthotic clinics, fitting workshops, NGO-run rehabilitation centres and sports medicine clinics also offer this work. Many professionals start in a workshop before moving into patient-facing clinical roles.

How to Become a Prosthetist and Orthotist in India?

After Class 10

Choose the science stream for Classes 11 and 12, with biology and physics or chemistry. This keeps the main course route open.

After Class 12

Check the eligibility for Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics programmes, then appear for the relevant entrance test, such as SVNIRTAR CET where it applies.

Undergraduate

Complete the Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics (BPO), which combines anatomy, biomechanics, materials and workshop training with hospital clinical placements. The course is typically around four years; confirm this with the college.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

Optional postgraduate study or specialised training, such as paediatric or sports prosthetics, can deepen clinical skills. Check which programmes are available and recognised.

Licence / Certification

Check whether any state or national registration is needed to practise clinically, and what the process involves, before you take up a clinical role.

First Job

Apply for hospital, rehabilitation centre, workshop or government technician roles. Early experience in fabrication and fitting builds the skills employers look for.

Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • Class 12 in the science stream is the usual starting point for the BPO course.

  • Biology, physics and chemistry are the most useful subjects; some programmes may specify PCB or PCM, so check each college's notice.


Minimum Qualification

  • Class 12 pass with science for BPO entry. Minimum marks vary by institute and must be checked in the admission notice.

  • For prosthetic or orthotic technician posts, each recruitment notice sets its own qualification and experience requirements.

Courses and Degrees for Prosthetist and Orthotist

  • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics (BPO) (around 4 years, to be verified)
    Postgraduate Degrees
    • Master in Prosthetics & Orthotics (MPO) (around 2 years, to be verified)
    Diplomas
    • Diploma in Prosthetics & Orthotics (duration varies by institute, to be verified)
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Short workshops in orthotic fabrication and fitting (duration varies by provider)
    • Short courses in computer-aided design for prosthetic and orthotic devices (duration varies by provider)

Entrance Exams for Prosthetist and Orthotist

  • Exam
    SVNIRTAR CET
    Level
    Undergraduate (to be verified)
    Held
    Annual (2025 and 2026 cycles seen in news)
    For Course
    Prosthetics and orthotics programmes at SVNIRTAR (course to be verified)
  • Exam
    JKSSB recruitment exam for Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician posts
    Level
    State government recruitment
    Held
    Varies by notice (2026 answer key seen in news)
    For Course
    Government job as Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician (not a course entrance)

Top Colleges for Prosthetist and Orthotist

Government Institutes

  • College
    Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (SVNIRTAR)
    Location
    Cuttack, Odisha

Skills Required to Become a Prosthetist and Orthotist

Technical Skills

  • Anatomy and biomechanics knowledge
  • Measuring, casting and 3D scanning of limbs
  • Basic computer-aided design for devices
  • Knowledge of materials such as thermoplastics, carbon fibre and leather
  • Fabrication and fitting workshop skills
  • Gait analysis and alignment checks
  • Clinical record-keeping

Soft Skills

  • Empathy and patience with patients
  • Clear communication with patients and families
  • Teamwork with doctors and therapists
  • Attention to detail
  • Practical problem-solving for individual needs

Prosthetist and Orthotist Salary in India

0-3 years (range to be verified)

Entry Level

To be verified

  • Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician, Junior Prosthetist
  • Fabricating components under supervision, taking measurements and assisting at fittings

3-8 years (range to be verified)

Mid Level

To be verified

  • Prosthetist, Orthotist, Clinical Prosthetist-Orthotist
  • Assessing and fitting devices independently and planning treatment for patients

8+ years (range to be verified)

Senior Level

To be verified

  • Senior Prosthetist-Orthotist, Head of Prosthetics Unit, Workshop Manager
  • Leading clinical teams and complex cases, training junior staff and managing workshops or units

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Prosthetist

Designs and fits artificial limbs for people with limb loss or limb differences.

Orthotist

Makes and fits braces and supports for limbs or the spine.

Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician

Fabricates and adjusts devices in a workshop under professional supervision.

Clinical Prosthetist-Orthotist

Works in rehabilitation centres or hospitals, managing patients from assessment to follow-up.

Workshop Manager

Runs a fabrication unit, managing materials, quality checks and staff.

Paediatric Orthotist

Specialises in devices for children, who need regular review as they grow.

Sports Prosthetist

Designs and fits devices for athletes and active people.

Trainer in P&O Programmes

Teaches in prosthetics and orthotics courses after gaining clinical and industry experience.

Scope and Future of Prosthetist and Orthotist in India

Demand for trained prosthetic and orthotic staff is visible in government recruitment. Notices for prosthetic and orthotic technician posts appeared in 2025 and 2026, including a state service board answer key published in June 2026 and ALIMCO recruitment in 2026. Each notice sets its own eligibility, pay and exam pattern, so check the official notice for current details.

Work in this field is linked to several ongoing needs, including rehabilitation after accidents, care for people with disabilities, and support for older patients with mobility problems. Sports medicine and paediatric care are growing areas within the profession. Growth depends on local hospital capacity and funding, so students should follow current job notices in their own region.

Government disability assistance schemes and the rights-based framework for persons with disabilities are relevant to this work. Professionals with recognised qualifications may also look at opportunities abroad, but registration and licensing rules differ by country and must be checked before planning a move.

Is Prosthetist and Orthotist
the Right Career for You?

Prosthetist and Orthotist can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?


Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

See how well this career fits you

Prosthetist and Orthotist: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a prosthetist and an orthotist?

A prosthetist makes and fits artificial limbs to replace a missing arm or leg. An orthotist makes and fits braces and supports for limbs or the spine, to correct, support or protect a body part. Many professionals in this field do both, depending on the patient and the workplace.

Which course should I do to become a prosthetist and orthotist in India?

The main route is the Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics (BPO), taken after Class 12 with science. Choose a college whose programme is recognised and includes hospital clinical training. Check the current eligibility, fees and seat details on the college's official website, because they change each admission cycle.

Is SVNIRTAR CET the only entrance exam for this course?

No. SVNIRTAR CET is one entrance test linked to prosthetics and orthotics programmes, but other colleges may run their own admission tests or use merit lists. Check the admission notice of each college you are interested in, and confirm the exam name, dates and eligibility on the official site.

What is the salary of a prosthetist and orthotist in India?

We have not yet listed salary amounts for this career because current figures need checking against official sources. Government posts pay according to the scale in each recruitment notice, and private clinic or workshop pay varies by city, employer and experience. Check the latest notice or a verified salary survey before making decisions, and revisit this page for updated figures.

Can I become a prosthetist and orthotist after Class 10?

Usually not directly. The main course route expects Class 12 with science. After Class 10, students can choose the science stream in Classes 11 and 12 to keep this path open. Some technician roles may set different qualifications, so read each recruitment notice carefully.

Are there government jobs for prosthetic and orthotic technicians?

Yes. Recent notices in 2025 and 2026 included prosthetic and orthotic technician posts, such as a state service board answer key published in June 2026 and ALIMCO recruitment in 2026. Eligibility, exam pattern and dates change with every cycle, so read the official notice before you apply.

Is this career suitable for students who are not strong in maths?

Biology, anatomy and practical skills matter a great deal in this career. Basic physics, measurements and geometry help with alignment and device design, but you do not need to be a maths specialist. Students who enjoy hands-on making and patient care often find the work a good fit.

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