Types of Scrubs and Scrub Colours Explained: A Simple Guide for Doctors and Nurses

Walk into any Indian hospital and you'll see scrubs in every style and colour — navy in the wards, green in the OT, maroon at the nurses' station. If you're buying your first set, or replacing old ones, here's a plain-English guide to the main types of scrubs and what scrub colours usually mean.

What are scrubs?

Scrubs are the simple, loose-fitting uniform worn by doctors, surgeons, nurses and other hospital staff. A scrub suit is usually a short-sleeve top and matching pants, made from fabric that's easy to wash often. In India they're also called OT dress, OT scrubs, surgical scrubs or doctor scrubs.

Types of scrubs

1. OT scrubs (surgical scrubs)
Worn in the operation theatre. They're usually plain, with a simple top and drawstring or elastic pants, so they can be washed and sterilised easily. Many hospitals provide these in a fixed colour.

2. Ward and OPD scrubs
Worn for everyday duty in wards, ICU, casualty and OPD. These often have more pockets and a slightly more fitted cut, because you carry pens, a phone and small tools all day.

3. Scrub suits for women and men
Many brands now cut scrubs separately for women and men, with different fits at the shoulders, waist and hips. A good fit makes long shifts far more comfortable than a one-size-fits-all set.

4. Tops by neckline

• V-neck: the classic, most common style.
• Mandarin (band) collar: looks slightly more formal.
• Round neck: simple and casual.

5. Pants by style

• Straight leg with drawstring: traditional and adjustable.
• Elastic waist: quick to put on, good for long shifts.
• Jogger style: cuffed at the ankle; a newer, more modern look.

6. Doctor aprons and lab coats
Not scrubs, but worn with or over them. A white doctor apron (lab coat) is standard for MBBS students in labs and dissection halls, and for doctors in OPDs. Nurses often wear a white nurse coat. Read our guide to choosing a doctor apron.

Scrub colours: what do they mean?

There's no single national rule in India. Each hospital decides its own colour code, so always check with your department first. That said, some patterns are common:

• Green and blue (teal, royal blue): traditional OT colours. They're often said to reduce eye strain for surgeons, since they contrast with red and don't glare under bright lights the way white does.
• Navy blue: a popular choice for doctors and senior staff; looks professional and hides stains well.
• Black: modern and smart; common in private clinics and among doctors who choose their own scrubs.
• Maroon and wine: often used for nursing staff or specific departments.
• Pink and purple: frequently seen in maternity, paediatrics and gynaecology departments, and for personal wear.
• Grey: neutral and modern; sometimes used for support or technical staff.
• White: mostly used for coats and aprons rather than full scrubs, since it stains easily.

How to choose the right colour for you

1. Follow your hospital's colour code if it has one.
2. Working in OT? Stick to green, teal or blue.
3. Choosing freely? Navy and black are the most practical for daily wear.
4. Want to stand out? Maroon, purple or pink look fresh and are easy to spot on a busy floor.

Need help with fabric, fit and sizing too? See our guide on how to choose OT scrubs.

Quick summary

Sharma Scrubs makes OT scrubs for women and men in navy blue, black, teal, royal blue, forest green, maroon, pink, purple and grey, from ₹1,050, plus white doctor aprons from ₹699 and nurse coats from ₹599. Hospitals can also order custom colours in bulk — see our bulk enquiries page.

Shop now: OT Scrubs · Scrubs for Women · Scrubs for Men · Doctor Aprons & Lab Coats