Post Graduate Diploma in Radiotherapy Technology / Medical Technology (Radiotherapy)
The Post Graduate Diploma in Radiotherapy (PGDRT) is an advanced, post-graduation medical technology program focused on the therapeutic use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. Unlike undergraduate radiology programs that specialize primarily in capturing diagnostic images (like standard X-rays), this postgraduate track trains students to calculate exact radiation doses, configure treatment maps, and operate advanced therapeutic tech like Linear Accelerators (LINAC) under the supervision of a Chief Radiation Oncologist.
| Parameter |
Technological / Allied Health Route |
Clinical Doctor Route (Medical Faculty) |
| Eligibility |
B.Sc. in Physics, Radiotherapy, or life sciences with a minimum of 50-55% marks. |
MBBS Degree with a completed 1-year mandatory rotatory internship. |
| Duration |
1 to 2 Years depending on the specific autonomous university. |
2 Years full-time clinical residency. |
| Entrance Route |
Merit-based or institution-level entrance exam. |
NEET-PG followed by specialized Medical Counselling. |
What the course covers
- Oncology Foundations:Comprehensive study of benign and malignant tumors, cellular pathology, and tumor tracking metrics.
- Therapeutic Technology Operations: Hands-on experience configuring high-voltage linear accelerators, brachytherapy sets, and computerized positioning blocks.
- AERB Safety Compliance: In-depth grounding in nuclear protocols and safety norms mandated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to protect patients and medical professionals.
What you will typically study
- Radiation Physics & Dosimetry: Studying the physical properties of ionizing radiation, photon beam characteristics, and mathematically measuring exact depth dosages.
- Radiobiology: Understanding how healthy versus cancerous biological tissues respond to radiation fractions over extended periods.
- Treatment Planning Systems (TPS): Learning how to interpret diagnostic CT/MRI contours to isolate target tumors while keeping surrounding organs safe.
- Patient Care & Side-Effect Mitigation: Supporting patients through radiation-induced side effects, skin care protocols, and psychological support.
- Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy: Conducting mandatory calibration checks, tracking mechanical field alignments, and reviewing radiation data sheets.
Career directions
- Radiotherapy Technologist (RTT):Taking charge of patient alignment and handling therapeutic hardware inside major cancer medical networks.
- Dosimetrist (with advanced experience): Working alongside Medical Physicists to digitally chart dose distribution profiles for cancer treatments.
- Oncology Technical Coordinator: Supervising workflows, handling documentation, and managing emergency scheduling between departments in large cancer hospitals.
- Clinical Application Specialist: Joining global biomedical radiation hardware manufacturers (such as Varian or Elekta) to test software or train hospital networks.