Karnataka: NEET Scores Now Must for Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy Admissions 2026-27

Bengaluru: Students in Karnataka who wish to pursue undergraduate degrees in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy will soon need to clear the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The state government has made NEET scores compulsory for admissions to Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) courses. This new rule will start from the academic year 2026-27.

This important update means that students aspiring for these healthcare courses will now have to prepare for the NEET exam, just like those aiming for MBBS or BDS degrees. The decision aims to bring a standard national-level entrance process for these important allied healthcare professions, ensuring that all admitted students meet a common academic standard.

Why This Change Is Happening

The move to make NEET scores mandatory follows a direction from the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP). The NCAHP communicated this requirement to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Testing Agency (NTA). This step is part of a larger plan to standardize admission criteria for various allied and healthcare undergraduate programs across India. A common entrance exam like NEET ensures fairness and quality in selecting candidates.

On Friday, U. T. Iftikhar Ali Fareed, the Chairman of the Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Council, officially announced this change through a press release. He confirmed that the decision has received clear approval from the NCAHP. This makes it official for all colleges and universities in Karnataka that offer these programs.

What Are Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Courses?

Many students might be familiar with NEET primarily for MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) courses. Now, it will also be required for BPT and BOT. Let us understand what these significant healthcare courses are about:

• Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT): This is a professional undergraduate degree program. It trains students to become qualified physiotherapists. Physiotherapists specialize in helping people recover from injuries, illnesses, or physical disabilities. They use exercises, manual therapy, and other techniques to improve a person's movement, reduce pain, and restore physical strength and function. This field is vital for rehabilitation and improving quality of life.
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT): This is another important undergraduate degree program that prepares students to become occupational therapists. Occupational therapists work with individuals who have physical, mental, or developmental challenges. Their main goal is to help these patients develop or regain the skills needed to perform everyday activities independently. This can include tasks related to self-care, work, education, and leisure, enabling them to participate fully in life.

What Students and Universities Need to Know

For students currently in high school or planning their future education, this means a clear change in admission requirements for BPT and BOT in Karnataka. If you are aiming for these courses from the 2026-27 academic year onwards, you must take the NEET UG exam and secure a competitive score. This new requirement emphasizes a strong foundation in science subjects, which NEET tests thoroughly.

The NCAHP has already completed the process of setting specific admission rules for various undergraduate allied and healthcare programs. These rules include criteria for different student categories. The NCAHP has also formally informed the University Grants Commission (UGC) about the upcoming use of NEET for these courses from 2026. This ensures that all educational bodies are aware and aligned with the new policy.

To ensure smooth implementation, the Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Council has sent out an official advisory to the Vice-Chancellors (heads) of all universities in the state. This includes government, private, and deemed-to-be universities. The advisory instructs them to prepare for this change and ensure that all admissions for BPT and BOT courses are conducted strictly based on NEET scores starting from the academic year 2026-27.

Key Details at a Glance

This development is a significant step towards bringing uniformity and higher standards to admissions in allied healthcare education, preparing students for impactful careers in these fields.