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Dress Code in Medical College, Rules for Boys, Girls & Convocation

Know the latest dress code in medical college. Learn what male and female students should wear, what to avoid, and the new traditional attire for convocation ceremonies.
authorImagePriyanka Agarwal4 Jul, 2025
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Dress Code in Medical College: Medical colleges in India are not just places to study; they are where students learn how to become good doctors. That’s why these colleges have a dress code, which means rules about what students should wear. This dress code helps students look neat, clean, and respectful, just like real doctors. It also teaches them discipline and helps gain trust from patients. In most colleges, both boys and girls must wear simple and clean clothes that are properly ironed. They must wear a white apron (doctor’s coat) and proper shoes that cover the feet. Wearing jeans, fancy clothes, makeup, slippers, or flashy jewelry is usually not allowed, especially when students go to hospitals for practical training. These rules make sure students look serious and professional while learning. Even during convocation or graduation ceremonies, many medical colleges now ask students to wear traditional Indian clothes like sarees or kurta-pajamas instead of old British-style gowns. This shows respect for Indian culture and tradition. Colleges such as Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College & Research Institute in Bengaluru follow these kinds of dress codes based on the Indian Medical Council’s guidelines.

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Importance of Following Dress Code in Medical College

The dress code in medical college is not just a rule , it shows that the student is serious, clean, and ready to become a good doctor. From the first year itself, students meet real patients, so they must look neat and respectful. When students wear proper clothes, patients trust them more and see them as future doctors. Dressing well also helps students learn discipline and get ready for working in hospitals later. It builds good habits from the beginning.

Dress Code in Medical College

In India, medical colleges ask students to wear clean and proper clothes so they can look like future doctors. This helps students stay neat, serious, and ready to take care of patients. In every college, whether it is government or private, wearing a white coat (doctor’s apron) during hospital work is a must. Boys and girls may have slightly different dress rules, but both must wear simple and respectful clothes.

Dress Code in Medical College During Convocation

During graduation (convocation) ceremonies, medical colleges have a special dress code to show how important the event is. Earlier, students used to wear black gowns and caps, which came from British times. But now, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has told all central government medical colleges, like AIIMS and others, to stop using those old British-style clothes. Instead, students should wear clothes based on Indian culture and tradition. In a letter, the ministry said these foreign gowns are from colonial times and should be replaced. This change will help students feel proud of Indian culture and bring a local, cultural touch to the special day when they become doctors.

Formal vs. Casual: What’s Acceptable in Medical School

Medical colleges tell students to dress properly so they can learn discipline and keep the college and hospital clean and respectful. This is very important when they meet patients. Students should not look like regular visitors, they should wear neat and formal clothes like future doctors. The table below shows what kind of clothes are allowed and what kind are not allowed in medical colleges.

Formal vs. Casual: What’s Acceptable in Medical School

Category

Acceptable Attire (Formal)

Unacceptable Attire (Casual)

Clothing

Neatly ironed formal shirts, trousers, high-neck salwar-kameez below knee length

Jeans, T-shirts, transparent or tight clothing

Footwear

Closed formal shoes (black or brown) with clean socks

Slippers, sneakers, sports shoes, dirty or colored socks

Outerwear

White half-sleeve apron with college logo and nameplate

Missing apron, dirty or un-ironed aprons

Grooming & Hygiene

Tidy hair, trimmed nails, clean-shaven (for males), no makeup or accessories

Uncombed/colored hair, nail paint, makeup, lipsticks, flashy accessories

Students must maintain a consistently neat and formal appearance to uphold the professional standards of the medical profession.

Dress Code in Medical College for Female Students

Female medical students are expected to dress modestly and comfortably while maintaining a professional appearance. Below are the key dress and grooming guidelines they should follow:

  • Wear cotton kurtis or salwar-kameez with a high neck, half sleeves, and length below the knees.

  • Use leggings or salwars that cover the ankles.

  • Wear black or brown formal shoes with clean socks.

  • Keep hair tied neatly.

  • Keep nails short and clean, with no nail polish or makeup.

  • Always wear a clean, ironed white half-sleeve apron with the college logo and nameplate.

  • Avoid see-through clothes, jeans, T-shirts, high heels, loose or colored hair, makeup, lipstick, and dirty clothes.

Dress Code in Medical College for Male Students

In medical colleges, boys also have to follow strict dress rules to look like future doctors. They must wear clean, formal clothes and keep themselves neat and tidy every day.

  • Recommended: Full-sleeve formal shirts (tucked in), formal trousers, black or brown polished shoes, neatly washed socks.

  • Grooming: Hair must be trimmed and well-groomed; face clean-shaven; nails short and clean.

  • Mandatory Apron: White, half-sleeve coat with college logo and student’s nameplate.

Avoid: Jeans, sneakers, colored shoes, T-shirts, chappals, colored or uncombed hair, unwashed clothing or socks.

Dress Code in Medical College During Practical and Clinical Sessions

During practical and clinical training, medical students must dress very neatly and professionally. Here are the important dress rules they need to follow:

  • Wear a clean white apron over formal clothes.

  • Do not wear jewelry, perfumes, or anything that might bother patients.

  • Make sure clothes are clean and well-ironed.

  • Avoid anything that can distract patients or cause infections.

  • Remember, these training sessions are like real hospital work.

  • Following these rules shows that students are serious and professional like real doctors.

Dress Code in Medical College: What to Avoid

Medical students must avoid clothes and habits that make them look casual or untidy, as they are training to become responsible doctors. Medical students should strictly avoid:

  • Casual clothing such as jeans, shorts, T-shirts.

  • Slippers, sneakers, bright-colored or unpolished shoes.

  • Personal grooming habits like colored hair, long nails, nail polish, makeup, or any accessories not related to professional duty.

  • Untidy appearance such as unwashed or un-ironed clothing.

Violations can attract disciplinary actions as per college-specific rules and regulatory norms.

Dress Code Differences in Government vs Private Medical Colleges

The main rules of the dress code are the same everywhere. cleanliness, professionalism, and patient comfort. But how strictly they are followed can differ:

  • Government Colleges: Dress rules are usually stricter. Students are regularly checked, especially during hospital training.

  • Private Colleges: Dress code may be slightly more relaxed for daily classes, but proper aprons and neat clothes are still required during hospital duties.

No matter the college type, all medical students are expected to dress in a way that shows respect for the medical profession.

New Traditional Dress for Medical Graduates: Moving Away from Old British Styles

To promote Indian culture and leave behind British-era customs, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked all central medical colleges, including AIIMS and other top institutes, to stop using black robes and caps in convocation ceremonies. Now, students will wear traditional clothes inspired by the local culture of their state.

This change respects India’s heritage and helps graduates feel proud of their roots as they enter the medical profession. Overall, the dress code in medical colleges is not just about clothing. it shows a student’s discipline, readiness, and respect for patients and the noble duty of being a doctor.

Want to crack Medical PG exam? Download the PW Med Ed app now and start your effective preparation journey!

Dress Code in Medical College FAQs

Why do medical students need to follow a dress code?

To look neat, clean, and like real doctors. It helps patients trust them and teaches discipline from day one.

What clothes should boys and girls wear in medical college?

Boys should wear formal shirts and pants, and girls should wear simple salwar-kameez or kurti. Both must wear a white doctor’s coat and proper shoes.

What things are not allowed in medical college dress?

No jeans, T-shirts, chappals, makeup, nail polish, colored hair, or dirty clothes. Looking untidy is not accepted.

What should students wear during hospital practice (clinical sessions)?

Students must wear clean, ironed formal clothes and a white apron. No jewellery, perfume, or things that can disturb patients.

What do students wear during convocation (graduation day)?

Now, students wear Indian traditional clothes like saree or kurta-pajama instead of black gowns. This shows respect for Indian culture.
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