NEET will now be a compulsory requirement for students seeking admission to the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) courses in Karnataka. The decision will come into effect from the 2025–26 academic year, bringing these allied health science programmes under the national medical entrance framework. The move aligns physiotherapy and occupational therapy admissions with other undergraduate medical courses already governed by NEET, ensuring a uniform and merit-based selection process across the state.
NEET Requirement for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Courses
As per the revised admission policy, candidates applying for BPT and BOT courses must qualify for NEET UG to be considered eligible. Admissions will no longer be granted solely based on Class 12 marks or separate entrance tests conducted by individual institutions. The regulation will apply uniformly to government colleges, aided institutions, and private colleges, including those offering management quota seats. Authorities have clarified that NEET scores will serve as the primary screening criterion for seat allocation.
Eligibility Criteria Under the New Admission Policy
Students aspiring to pursue BPT or BOT courses in Karnataka must fulfil the prescribed academic and entrance requirements. Candidates should have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects from a recognised board.In addition to educational qualifications, applicants must have appeared in NEET UG and secured the minimum qualifying percentile as notified for the respective admission year. Detailed cut-off scores and category-wise eligibility will be announced during the counselling process.
Admission Process and Counselling Procedure
Admissions to BPT and BOT courses will be conducted through a centralised counselling process, expected to be managed by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). NEET-qualified candidates will be required to register for counselling, submit preferences, and participate in seat allotment rounds. Before the start of counselling, KEA is expected to release a detailed notification outlining important dates, document verification procedures, and seat matrix details. Candidates will be allotted seats based on NEET rank, category, and availability of seats.
Rationale Behind Making NEET Mandatory
The decision aims to standardise admission procedures and improve transparency in allied health science education. Officials have stated that bringing BPT and BOT courses under NEET will help ensure academic merit, uniform evaluation, and fair competition among applicants. Medical education experts have also highlighted that physiotherapy and occupational therapy play a crucial role in healthcare delivery, and aligning their admissions with national standards will enhance the overall quality of training.
What Aspirants Should Do Next?
Students planning to pursue physiotherapy or occupational therapy in Karnataka are advised to prepare for NEET UG and stay updated with official counselling notifications. Aspirants should also regularly check official websites for updates related to application schedules, cut-off scores, and admission guidelines ahead of the 2025–26 academic session. The revised policy marks a significant change in allied health admissions and is expected to impact thousands of aspirants across the state.