NEET 2026 to Be Compulsory for Allied Health Courses; NCAHP Releases New Eligibility Rules

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has issued an important update for students planning to join undergraduate Allied and Healthcare programmes from the 2026–27 academic session. According to the latest notification, appearing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) will be compulsory for admission to several healthcare and allied courses after Class 12.

So far, the commission has notified 13 curricula for various undergraduate and postgraduate Allied and Healthcare programmes. NCAHP has also stated that more curricula will be introduced soon.

The commission explained that under the NCAHP Act, 2021, admission criteria for these courses must be clearly defined and included within the approved curricula. In most of the notified curricula, one of the key eligibility requirements is mandatory appearance in the NEET exam, along with other academic conditions. Admissions based on these new rules will begin from the 2026–27 academic year, as highlighted in the official announcement.

Here’s the Official Notice by NCAHP

Image Source - NCAHP Official Site

NEET Mandatory for Allied Programmes: Courses That Will Be Affected

From the 2026–27 session, admission to several Allied and Healthcare programmes will require NEET UG. The following courses fall under the updated eligibility rule:

• Physiotherapy (BPT)
• Nutrition & Dietetics
• Optometry
• Dialysis Technology
• Medical Laboratory and Life Sciences
• Medical Radiology, Imaging, and Therapeutic Technology

These programmes will now follow NEET-based entry criteria, as outlined in the notified curricula by NCAHP.

Also Read

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

Allied and Healthcare Courses Admission: Eligibility Through NEET 2026

Although qualifying for NEET UG will become mandatory for admission to Allied and Healthcare science courses, 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.

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