The healthcare education ecosystem in India is undergoing a major reform. In a landmark decision, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has officially announced that NEET UG will become mandatory for admission to several Allied and Healthcare undergraduate courses from the academic session 2026–27.
Until now, NEET was primarily required for MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses. With this new mandate, multiple allied healthcare professions will now come under a single national-level entrance examination, bringing standardisation, transparency, and merit-based selection into the system.
For students from Class 9 to 12, and even younger aspirants planning early, this change has a direct impact on subject selection, preparation strategy, and career planning in the healthcare domain.
What Is the NCAHP and Why This Decision Matters?
The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) was established under the NCAHP Act, 2021 as a statutory body to regulate education and professional standards for allied healthcare professionals across India.
By making NEET UG compulsory, NCAHP aims to:
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Standardise admissions across states and institutions
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Eliminate direct admissions and non-uniform entrance tests
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Ensure merit-based selection of candidates
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Improve academic quality of allied healthcare education
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Strengthen patient safety and healthcare delivery
This move aligns allied healthcare education with mainstream medical courses and enhances the professional credibility of these careers.
Allied & Healthcare Courses Requiring NEET UG from 2026–27
As per the official notification, 13 undergraduate allied and healthcare programs will now require NEET UG qualification for admission.
List of Courses Under NEET Mandate
| S. No. | Professional Course | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) | 4.5 Years + 6 Months Internship |
| 2 | Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) | 4 Years (Including Internship) |
| 3 | B.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics | 3 Years + Internship |
| 4 | B.Sc. Medical Radiology & Imaging Technology | 3–4 Years + Internship |
| 5 | B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLT) | 3 Years + Internship |
| 6 | B.Sc. Anesthesia & Operation Theatre Technology | 3–4 Years + Internship |
| 7 | B.Sc. Dialysis Therapy Technology | 3 Years + 6–12 Months Internship |
| 8 | Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) | 4 Years + 6 Months Internship |
| 9 | B.Sc. Radiotherapy Technology | 3–4 Years + Internship |
| 10 | Physician Associate | 4 Years + 1 Year Internship |
| 11 | Emergency Medical Technologist (Paramedic) | 3–4 Years + Internship |
| 12 | Health Information Management | 3 Years + 6–12 Months Internship |
| 13 | Applied Psychology & Behavioural Health | 3 Years + Internship |
Students aspiring for any of these courses must now appear for NEET UG.
New Eligibility Criteria for Allied Courses (2026–27 Onwards)
To secure admission under the revised NCAHP guidelines, students must meet the following criteria:
Academic & Entrance Requirements
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Qualification: Passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board
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Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) with English
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Minimum Marks in PCB:
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General Category: 50%
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SC/ST/OBC: 40%
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PwD: 45%
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Age Limit: Minimum 17 years at the time of admission
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Entrance Exam: Valid NEET UG score
Without NEET qualification, admission will not be permitted, regardless of board marks.
What This Change Means for Students (Class 9–12)
1. End of Direct Admissions
From 2026–27, direct admission based on Class 12 marks will no longer be allowed for allied healthcare courses. NEET qualification will be mandatory even for private institutions.
2. Increased Competition in NEET
With multiple new career paths now linked to NEET, the number of NEET aspirants is expected to rise significantly, making early preparation essential.
3. Allied Healthcare Becomes a Primary Career Choice
This reform places allied healthcare careers on par with MBBS and BDS, encouraging students to choose them as first-choice professions, not fallback options.
NEET Preparation Strategy for Allied Healthcare Aspirants
Students planning for NEET 2026 and beyond should adopt a disciplined, long-term approach.
Key Preparation Tips
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Master NCERT (Class 11 & 12): NEET questions are largely NCERT-based
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Strong Focus on Biology: The backbone for healthcare careers
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Do Not Ignore Physics & Chemistry: Often act as rank differentiators
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Practice Mock Tests Early: Improves speed, accuracy, and confidence
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Stay Updated: Follow official updates from NTA and NCAHP portals
Why Early Planning Matters (Class 6–10 Students)
Students from middle school onwards should:
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Build strong fundamentals in Science
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Develop analytical thinking
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Get exposure to competitive exam patterns
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Maintain consistency in Biology learning
Early foundation support can significantly reduce pressure in Classes 11 and 12.
The decision to make NEET mandatory for Allied and Healthcare courses from 2026–27 is a transformational step in Indian medical education. While it raises the competition bar, it also ensures quality education, professional recognition, and better career outcomes for students entering the healthcare ecosystem.
At Aakash, we continuously evolve our academic programs to align with national education reforms. With structured NEET coaching, strong foundation programs, and expert mentorship, we are committed to guiding students confidently through this changing medical entrance landscape.
Preparing early is no longer optional—it is essential.
FAQs
Q1. From which year will NEET be mandatory for Allied and Healthcare courses?
NEET UG will become mandatory from the 2026-27 academic session for admissions to several Allied and Healthcare undergraduate courses, as announced by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP).
Q2. Which courses will require NEET UG for admission?
Courses such as BPT (Physiotherapy), B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiology & Imaging Technology, Optometry, Dialysis Technology, Operation Theatre Technology, Occupational Therapy, and other notified Allied Health programs will require NEET UG qualification from 2026-27 onwards.
Q3. Can students get direct admission to Allied Healthcare courses after 2026?
No. From the 2026-27 session, direct admissions without NEET will not be allowed for NCAHP-regulated courses. Appearing in NEET UG will be a basic eligibility requirement for counselling and seat allotment.
Q4. What subjects are required in Class 12 for these courses?
Students must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) in Class 12 from a recognized board. English is also mandatory in most cases. Minimum qualifying marks vary by category as per NEET eligibility norms.
Q5. How should students from Class 9 to 12 prepare for this change?
Students should start NEET-oriented preparation early, focusing strongly on NCERT Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. Even if MBBS is not the goal, NEET preparation will now open doors to multiple respected healthcare careers under Allied Health Sciences.
