Best Psychiatrists in Pune

Psychiatrists in Pune at a glance

Quick facts about Pune and its healthcare system. Hospital, bed and doctor figures are estimates scaled from state and national data, because no public source counts them city by city.

With around 7.5 million (75 lakh) people (2025 estimate, from the UN's 2024 World Population Prospects urban-area estimate), Pune is number 9 among the 100 largest cities in this directory and sits in the Metro (5M+) size band. At the assumed growth of 2.5% a year, it would reach about 8.5 million by 2030, so demand for psychiatrists and every other speciality is likely to keep rising.

Scaling Maharashtra's 1.83 beds per 1,000 people (the India-wide figure is about 1.39) to the city's population gives roughly 14,000 hospital beds in Pune, including about 690 ICU beds, spread across an estimated 190 hospitals (about 42 public and 150 private). That is about 546 residents for every bed and around 72 beds per hospital on average. Measured against the WHO's often-quoted benchmark of 3 beds per 1,000 people, the city would need roughly 8,800 more beds, which is one reason private clinics and hospitals carry so much of the load.

The same national ratio of one practising doctor per 811 people suggests about 9,300 practising doctors across all systems of medicine in Pune, supported by around 17,000 nurses and midwives. Mental health is the thinnest part of this workforce: the national average is only about 0.3 psychiatrists per 100,000 people (WHO Mental Health Atlas 2014), so a population this size would have only a few dozen if it matched that average. Specialist head-counts are not published city by city, so these figures show scale, not how many psychiatrists practise in Pune.

On health outcomes, Maharashtra's infant mortality rate is 13 per 1,000 live births (2024), well below the national figure of 24, and modelled life expectancy is about 74.5 years against roughly 72 for India; these are state-wide measures, not city measurements. About 78% of hospital beds in Maharashtra are private, so most people weigh private psychiatrists against government outpatient departments. This page lists 1 psychiatrist for Pune, and 18 other cities in Maharashtra have their own psychiatrist page below.

General information compiled from public sources (MoHFW, SRS 2024, CDDEP / One Health Trust, UN WPP 2024, Census 2011); estimates, not official counts, and not medical advice. Listings marked "Online Verified" come from public online sources: please confirm details with the provider.

What psychiatrists in Pune treat

A psychiatrist (mental health doctor) in Pune typically helps with the following problems. Not every clinic offers every service, so ask before you go.

Also searched as: mental health doctor, depression doctor, de-addiction specialist, anxiety specialist.

When to see a psychiatrist in Pune

• Low mood, loss of interest or hopelessness lasting more than two weeks
• Constant worry, panic attacks or fear that disrupts daily life
• Sleep that has been disturbed for weeks
• Alcohol or drug use that you cannot cut down
• A child with sudden changes in behaviour or school performance

How to choose a psychiatrist in Pune

1. Check the qualification: MBBS with MD (Psychiatry), DPM or DNB (Psychiatry).
2. Verify registration with the NMC / State Medical Council register (psychologists register with the Rehabilitation Council of India, not the NMC) and note the registration number.
3. Ask what the consultation includes and whether tests, follow-ups and procedures are charged separately.
4. Look for clear, itemised communication about costs; avoid anyone who guarantees a cure.
5. Check practical details: location, clinic hours, appointment system, and whether emergency back-up exists if something goes wrong.

Healthcare in Pune: the bigger picture

No public source counts hospitals city by city, so these figures are estimates: roughly 14,000 beds and 190 hospitals for Pune. Maharashtra state averages about 1.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people, above the India-wide figure of roughly 1.4. The private sector holds about 78% of beds in Maharashtra.

Well-known hospitals and institutions commonly named for Pune include BJ Govt Medical College & Sassoon and AFMC. Government outpatient departments can be crowded, which is one reason many people also consult a private Psychiatrist - ask each place about timings and documents to bring. (General-knowledge list; verify before relying on it.)

For context on health outcomes in Maharashtra: the state infant mortality rate is 13 per 1,000 live births (2024), lower than the national figure of 24, and modelled life expectancy is about 74.5 years, above the national estimate of 72. These are state-wide figures, not city measurements.

Mental health professionals are in short supply across India. At the national average of about 0.3 psychiatrists per 100,000 people (WHO Mental Health Atlas 2014), a population like Pune's would have only around 23 psychiatrists - a rough national-average figure, not a count - so it can help to book early and to ask about follow-up and counselling support.

Data note: Overlaps the Mumbai / Pune / NCR agglomeration; treat the estimate as a rough guide.

Before you visit: what to carry

• Write down your symptoms and when they began
• Note sleep, appetite and energy changes
• Bring a family member if you are comfortable