NEET Exam Compulsory with 1-year Internship for Physiotherapy Programme
NEET Exam Compulsory with 1-year Internship for Physiotherapy Programme: In a major move to enhance the quality and standardisation of allied healthcare education, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) have introduced significant changes for physiotherapy curriculum. Additionally, the curriculum of nine other allied health science courses has been streamlined.
According to the latest details, starting from the academic year 2026-27, admission to physiotherapy programmes will be based on NEET-UG scores. Besides clearing the NEET UG exam, students will be required to complete a mandatory one-year internship after graduation.
Standardising Allied Health Education
The MoHFW and NCAHP have collaborated to frame new competency-based syllabi for 10 allied health science programmes. This step aims to improve the quality and competency among healthcare professionals across India. The revised curriculum is intended to address the growing demand for well-trained healthcare workers and to bridge existing skill gaps.
The 10 courses covered under this reform include:
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Physiotherapy
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Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health
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Optometry
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Nutrition and Dietetics
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Dialysis Therapy Technology & Dialysis Therapy
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Radiotherapy Technology
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Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology
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Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology
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Health Information Management
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Physician Associates
Key Principles Guiding New Physiotherapy Curriculum
The newly introduced curricula for physiotherapy and other allied healthcare programmes have been introduced to modernise and improve healthcare education in India. Here are the key factors guiding the new curriculum:
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Standardisation: Establish minimum educational benchmarks to ensure a consistent level of quality among physiotherapy graduates across the country.
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Competency-Based Approach: Shifts focus from rote learning to the practical application of knowledge and skills to meet real-world healthcare requirements.
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Holistic Development: Strengthen soft skills such as communication, teamwork, ethical practice, and a mindset of lifelong learning.
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Support for Universal Health Coverage: Develop a skilled and competent workforce in the physiotherapy and renal care sector to support the government’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
NEET-UG Mandatory for Physiotherapy Admissions
Until now, many institutions conducted independent entrance tests or offered direct admissions based on Class 12 marks for physiotherapy programmes. However, the new guideline mandates that all aspirants seeking admission to the physiotherapy programme must appear for the NEET-UG exam. This guideline will be effective from 2026.
This move is expected to:
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Bring greater uniformity in the selection process.
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Maintain a consistent quality standard across institutions.
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Provide a national platform for meritorious students to gain admission based on a common evaluation method.
Debate Over 'Dr' Title for Physiotherapists
The changes in physiotherapy education have resulted in a debate about the use of the honorific 'Dr' by physiotherapists. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has given its opinion by strongly opposing this practice. According to IMA, only practitioners of modern medicine or AYUSH should be allowed to use the title 'Dr'.
However, the Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) has countered this view. According to IAP, the IMA is not responsible for determining the professional titles of physiotherapists.
NEET Exam Compulsory with 1-year Internship for Physiotherapy Programme FAQs
Q1. Is NEET mandatory for physiotherapy?
Ans. Starting from 2026-27, the NEET UG score will be mandatory for admission to Physiotherapy courses in colleges across India.
Q2. Is internship compulsory for physiotherapy?
Ans. According to the new reform of NCAHP and MoHFW, Physiotherapy students must complete a 1 year internship after graduation.
Q3. How long was the BPT internship program before the new reform?
Ans. Before the new reform, the BPT internship program duration was 6 months.
Q4. Can Physiotherapists use Dr title?
Ans. Yes, Physiotherapists can now use Dr title with a PT suffix.
Q5. Is physiotherapy equal to MBBS?
Ans. No, Physiotherapy is not equal to MBBS. A physiotherapist specialises in offering rehabilitation and physical therapy, while an MBBS is a medical professional who offers treatment for various diseases or disorders.
