NCAHP Mandates NEET UG for Physiotherapy Courses Admissions 2026-27; Issues New Eligibility Rules

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has issued an official notification to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to adopt the revised entry eligibility criteria for some undergraduate Physiotherapy programmes starting with the 2026-27 academic session.

According to the official notification, the Commission has so far notified 13 curricula for various graduate and postgraduate Allied and Healthcare courses, all of which will be implemented from 2026-27. Along with the above reference, admission in two undergraduate programmes in Physiotherapy, including Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (B.OT), based on NEET Score. These curricula define the admission criteria that institutions must follow when enrolling students into the regulated programmes.

NEET 2026 Exam Pattern: Check Weightage, Total Marks, Marking Scheme, Exam Duration

The notification clearly states that under the notified curricula, appearing in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is mandatory for candidates, and will be treated as a basic eligibility criterion for admission to the majority of Allied and Healthcare undergraduate courses. This eligibility has been mentioned for both programmes.

“In view of the above, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is requested to include the details of the two programmes (B.PT and B.OT) and the relevant information in the information Bulletin for NEET UG-2026” — Official NCAHP Letter to NTA.

Official Notification

Source: Official Notification

Earlier, admissions to many Allied and Healthcare courses were based on 12th-standard academic marks, institute-level tests, or state-level entrance exams. But from 2026-27, the NEET score will be integrated into the eligibility framework for these professions.

Physiotherapy Courses Admission: Eligibility Through NEET 2026

Tabulated below are the new basic eligibility criteria that are aligned with the NEET UG score to get admission in the Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy programs:

Although qualifying for NEET UG will become mandatory for admission to Physiotherapy courses (BPT and BOT), each programme will continue to follow its own academic eligibility requirements. The key NEET-based eligibility criteria for Allied Health courses are as follows:

• Students must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and must have secured at least 50% marks (for General category candidates).
• The minimum age for admission to Allied Healthcare programmes is 17 years.
• Candidates must appear for the NEET UG exam and obtain the minimum qualifying cutoff marks to be considered for admission.
• Around 10% of the seats will be reserved for lateral entry admission in undergraduate programs. However, a medical fitness certificate is mandatory to be submitted by the candidate.
• Candidates belonging to the reserved category must have secured 40% marks.

With NEET becoming a single entrance exam for allied and health science courses, candidates must align their preparation accordingly.

Read more: List of Top Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET Based on 2025 Ranking

Also Read: NEET 2026: Exam Dates, Pattern, Syllabus, Previous Year Papers, Cutoff and Latest Changes