Introduction: A Defining Moment for Physiotherapy in India
Physiotherapy in India has long required stronger academic standardization and parity with other healthcare professions. With the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) formally aligning Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) admissions with NEET (UG) from the Academic Year 2026–27, the profession enters a new regulatory phase.
From a physiotherapist’s standpoint, this is not merely an admission reform—it is a structural upgrade of the profession’s identity, credibility, and clinical responsibility within the Indian healthcare ecosystem.
This article explains what the new framework means, why it matters, and how aspiring physiotherapists should prepare.
Why NEET for Physiotherapy Was Inevitable
1. Physiotherapy Is a Core Healthcare Profession
Modern physiotherapy is no longer limited to exercise prescription. It plays a central role in:
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Neurological rehabilitation
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Orthopaedic and sports injury management
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Cardiopulmonary care
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Critical care and ICU rehabilitation
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Community-based preventive healthcare
Given this clinical depth, entry into physiotherapy must be based on strong biomedical foundations, similar to medicine and dentistry.
2. Standardization Across States and Institutions
Previously, BPT admissions varied widely:
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Different entrance exams
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Inconsistent merit criteria
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Unequal academic preparedness among students
NEET provides a uniform national benchmark, ensuring that every physiotherapy student begins with comparable scientific competency.
What the NCAHP Framework Means for BPT Aspirants
Recognition Under National Law
Physiotherapy is formally recognized under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 as a regulated healthcare profession. This places physiotherapists within a nationally governed system, similar to other regulated health disciplines.
Mandatory NEET Appearance
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NEET appearance is compulsory for BPT admission
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Selection will be based on NEET merit/marks
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Importantly, no minimum NEET cut-off percentile has been prescribed for applying
From a clinical educator’s view, this ensures inclusivity while still maintaining scientific screening.
Eligibility: Interpreted for Students and Parents
A physiotherapy student must demonstrate readiness for medical science learning. Therefore:
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10+2 qualification with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology is essential
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English proficiency is mandatory, reflecting the need for clinical documentation and evidence-based practice
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Minimum aggregate marks:
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General / General-EWS: higher threshold
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Reserved categories and candidates with benchmark disabilities: relaxed threshold, supporting equity
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This balance reflects both academic rigor and social inclusion, which is essential in healthcare education.
Programme Structure: Why Five Years Matter
The five-year BPT structure (academic study plus internship) is not excessive—it is necessary.
From a physiotherapist’s training perspective:
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Undergraduate years build anatomical, biomechanical, and pathological understanding
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Internship year develops:
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Clinical reasoning
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Patient communication
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Ethical decision-making
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Hands-on rehabilitation skills
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This duration aligns Indian physiotherapy education more closely with international standards.
Age, Fitness, and Professional Readiness
Healthcare is physically and mentally demanding. Hence:
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Minimum age requirement ensures emotional maturity
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Medical fitness certification protects:
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Patient safety
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Student well-being during physically intensive training
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As clinicians, physiotherapists must be fit to deliver care—not just academically qualified.
Admission Authority and Seat Allocation
Admissions will be conducted by:
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State governments
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Union Territories
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Universities
All institutions must adhere to NCAHP-prescribed norms, ensuring consistency across India. Reservation policies remain aligned with government regulations, safeguarding social justice.
Lateral Entry and Mobility
Provision for lateral entry (up to a defined percentage), where permitted, supports:
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Career progression
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Academic mobility for diploma-qualified professionals
This reflects a progressive approach toward lifelong learning in physiotherapy.
What This Means for the Physiotherapy Profession
From a senior physiotherapist’s viewpoint, this reform delivers long-term benefits:
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Improved academic quality of entrants
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Greater public trust in physiotherapy services
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Better inter-professional respect within healthcare teams
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Stronger case for expanded clinical autonomy in the future
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Clearer international recognition of Indian BPT graduates
Guidance for Aspiring Physiotherapists
If you aim to become a physiotherapist after 2026:
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Prepare seriously for NEET biology fundamentals
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Understand that physiotherapy is a medical profession, not an alternative course
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Choose institutions that follow NCAHP-aligned curricula
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Enter the field with a commitment to patient-centered, evidence-based care
Conclusion: A Step Forward, Not a Barrier
NEET-based admission is not an obstacle—it is a quality gateway.
For physiotherapy, this marks a transition from variability to professional maturity.
As physiotherapists, we should welcome this change. It strengthens our academic roots, enhances clinical accountability, and positions physiotherapy as an indispensable pillar of India’s healthcare system.
Disclaimer
This article is an independent educational interpretation written for professional awareness. It does not reproduce or replace any official notification and should not be treated as a legal or admission notice.