A big change is on the horizon for medical aspirants. NEET will now be the basic eligibility test for admission to all Allied and Healthcare undergraduate courses starting from the academic year 2026–27.
This update has been officially announced by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP).
Official NCAHP Notice for NEET Exam Applicable to Allied and Healthcare courses
Which Allied and Healthcare Courses 2026–27 will Require NEET?
Until now, NEET was compulsory mainly for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and Veterinary courses. But from 2026–27 onward, Allied and Healthcare courses are officially joining the list.
Thus, if you are planning to pursue programs such as:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Imaging Technology
- Cardiac Care Technology
…and many more under the Allied and Healthcare umbrella, you will have to qualify NEET to be eligible for admission.
Why was this Change Introduced?
According to the NCAHP, the goal is to:
- Standardise admission criteria across India
- Ensure fair and merit-based entry into Allied and Healthcare courses
- Maintain uniformity in academic standards
Moreover, the NCAHP confirmed that it has already notified 11 core curricula for various Allied and Healthcare graduate and postgraduate disciplines. Work is also in progress to finalise 9 more curricula, after which a complete roadmap will be released publicly.
In its circular, NCAHP has clearly instructed educational institutions to ensure that students admitted to Allied and Healthcare programmes starting from the 2026–27 academic year must have appeared for NEET.
What Does it Mean for Allied and Healthcare Aspirants?
- Students already preparing or planning admissions before the 2026–27 cycle are not affected.
- However, students currently in Grade 10 or 11 who are targeting these fields need to factor NEET into their preparation roadmap.
Physiotherapy Admissions and More
Last year, NCAHP hinted that NEET may soon become mandatory for Undergraduate Physiotherapy admissions following the release of a draft Physiotherapy Curriculum. This new notification now confirms the broader decision. Physiotherapy will also fall under NEET eligibility criteria.
In Summary
The NCAHP’s announcement marks a major turning point for Allied and Healthcare education in India. While current aspirants entering before 2026 remain unaffected, the next wave of students, especially those in Classes 10 and 11, must now align their preparation with NEET to secure a seat in these specialised healthcare programmes. To solidify the preparation, make sure to use the right NEET study books to begin your journey.
Source
Official Notice by NCAHP, 19 November, 2025: click here to read.
Kindly note that any and all information is subject to change as per the NCAHP, Education Ministry, and Government of India.
