The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) mandated new admission criteria for several allied and healthcare programs, beginning with the academic year 2026-27 . Students pursuing Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) must take the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET UG). Admission to Bachelor of Psychology (BPsy) and Bachelor of Medical and Psychiatric Social Work (BMPSW) will require an entrance test administered by the enrolling college or university.
NCAHP, the apex regulatory body for allied and healthcare professions in India, formally communicated these uniform admission criteria to the University Grants Commission (UGC). The commission requested the UGC to ensure all universities under its jurisdiction adopt these eligibility requirements and admission processes from 2026-27 .
These guidelines aim to standardize and regulate 15 allied and healthcare programs. NCAHP has prohibited using the term ‘paramedical’ for these courses. The new norms become applicable only after state governments, their respective allied and healthcare professional (AHP) councils, and universities adopt them.
NCAHP’s Role and Mandate
The central government established NCAHP in 2021 to regulate and maintain educational and service standards for allied and healthcare professionals across India. The commission oversees 56 allied health sciences within 10 broad categories. The body was formally constituted in 2024.
NCAHP’s initial work focused on establishing state-level councils for AHPs, crucial for implementing its guidelines. It also released 17 uniform competency-based curricula covering 28 professions. A centralized mechanism for recognizing and affiliating courses and institutes is pending.
Admission Pathways and Eligibility
NCAHP prescribed NEET UG as the gateway for BPT and BOT admissions. University-level tests are set for BPsy and BMPSW. Admission to other specified programs relies on Class 12 scores.
Most courses, excluding BPsy and BMPSW, require candidates to have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, or Mathematics in some cases. Physiotherapy, Optometry, and Occupational Therapy courses also require a minimum 50% aggregate score in these three subjects (40% for reserved categories). Students must also have passed English in Class 12 for BPT, BOT, Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Hons), and Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (BSc HIM).
| Course | Eligibility Criteria | Admission Path |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology; Min 50% aggregate and English pass; NEET appeared | NEET score |
| Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology; Min 50% aggregate and English pass; NEET appeared | NEET score |
| Bachelor of Psychology (BPsy) | 10+2 in Arts/Science/Psychology | University/institute entrance test score |
| Bachelor of Medical and Psychiatric Social Work (BMPSW) | 10+2 in any stream | University/institute entrance test score |
| Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics; Min 50% aggregate score | Class 12 score |
| Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Class 12 score |
| Bachelor of Emergency Medical Technologist (BEMT) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Class 12 score |
| Bachelor of Anasthesia and Operation Theatre Technology (BAOTT) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics | Class 12 score |
| Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Hons) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology; Min 50% aggregate and English pass | Class 12 score |
| Bachelor of Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology (BMRIT) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Class 12 score |
| Bacheor of Radio Therapy and Technology (BRTT) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Class 12 score |
| Bachelor of Physician Associates (BPA) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Class 12 score |
| Bachelor of Dialysis Therapy Technology (BDTT) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Class 12 score |
| Bachelor of Respiratory Technology (BRT) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Class 12 score |
| Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (BSc HIM) | 10+2 in Arts/Science/Commerce with English; 50% aggregate score | Class 12 score |
NCAHP chairperson Yagna Shukla stated that a common test is necessary for psychology and medical psychiatry programs because they admit students from various academic streams. Shukla confirmed that state councils bear responsibility for conducting the prescribed admission processes. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat councils have agreed to comply with the new standards.
Psychology Courses: Regulatory Challenges
The regulation of psychology programs remains complex. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment regulates clinical psychology programs. Most other psychology courses lack a singular standard-setting body.
NCAHP’s scope includes ‘community care, behavioural health sciences and other professionals,’ covering 15 professions like ‘psychologist’ and ‘mental health support workers.’ While RCI will continue to oversee clinical psychology, NCAHP intends to bring ‘applied psychology’ programs under its purview where possible. It proposed a singular undergraduate course, BPsy, for applied psychology and behavioral sciences, and BMPSW for medical and psychiatric social work.
Standardizing existing psychology programs presents challenges due to variations in content and nomenclature across humanities and science faculties. NCAHP expresses less interest in regulating psychology programs within the humanities domain, stating that BA Psychology courses only cover part of the psychology profession, according to expert opinion.
Last year, at NCAHP’s request, UGC discontinued distance-learning psychology programs. This decision affects approximately 1.3 lakh students currently enrolled in or seeking to pursue BA, MA, BSc, and MSc Psychology via online and distance learning (ODL) modes. Shukla confirmed the ODL ban on psychology courses will continue. She stated that while universities can keep their regular psychology courses outside NCAHP’s ambit, graduates must have NCAHP-recognized programs to register as psychologists and practice clinically.
NCAHP plans to offer ‘provisional registrations’ for psychology and other AHP graduates whose courses do not meet commission standards. These graduates will complete a ‘bridge course’ at recognized institutes to meet requirements and obtain professional licenses. NCAHP will soon issue norms and conditions for these provisional registrations.