In an official update, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has clarified that the NEET UG 2026 exam will not be mandatory for admission to Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) courses for the 2026-27 academic year. The requirement for NEET qualification will be implemented from the 2027-28 academic session onwards.
2027-28 NEET UG Requirement for Allied Courses
The NCAHP, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has stated that the proposal to make NEET UG mandatory for admissions into allied healthcare courses such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy has been deferred to the entrance cycle of 2027-28. This postponement is intended to provide additional time for implementation and address logistical challenges associated with expanding the entrance system
As per the new timeline:
- NEET UG 2026 — Not required for BPT and BOT admissions.
- NEET UG First Mandatory Year: 2027-28 academic session.This means candidates seeking admission in the 2026-27 academic session do not need NEET scores for these programmes.
2026-27 Admission Criteria for BPT & BOT
For the 2026-27 session, eligibility for BPT and BOT admissions will be determined based on Class 12 marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) from a recognised board. Key criteria include:
- Minimum PCB aggregate (General): 50%
- Minimum PCB aggregate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL and PwBD): 40%
- Candidates must also have passed English at the Class 12 level.
This transitional arrangement allows candidates to pursue physiotherapy and occupational therapy undergraduate degrees in the upcoming academic year without requiring NEET UG scores, offering some flexibility amid changing policies. Prospective students should closely follow official notifications from NCAHP and respective universities for counsel and updates on admission processes.