NEET mandatory for Bachelor in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy courses in Karnataka
Karnataka: The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) will be mandatory for admission to Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) courses in Karnataka.
Until now, admissions were based on the common entrance test or PU marks.
A letter in this regard was issued by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) to the National Testing Agency and the Health Ministry. Therefore, based on the letter, Karnataka State Allied and Health Care Council (KSAHC) has directed all the universities in the state to follow this norm.
Along with this, a circular has also been issued by KSAHC Chairman Professor UT Iftikhar Ali Farid. Hence, all Vice-Chancellors of public, private and deemed universities have been asked to ensure strict compliance.
According to a TOI media news report, KSAHC secretary ST Srinivas said, "Thus far, allied health sciences have not come under any agency. After the formation of the council, steps are being taken to streamline the course. Making NEET mandatory is part of this”.
"There are no qualifying marks for NEET that students should obtain to get admission to these programmes. However, appearing for the exam is mandatory," he further added.
This move is expected to increase NEET registrations. Meanwhile, last year, 1.5 lakh students from Karnataka registered, and 1.4 lakh of them appeared; 83,582 qualified. Earlier, in 2024, 1.5 lakh had appeared and 88,887 had qualified.
Currently, 27 colleges across Karnataka offer occupational therapy with 655 seats, of which 131 are under the government quota. Whereas, Physiotherapy has 8,915 seats in 203 colleges, including six private universities and four government colleges; 2,006 seats are in the government quota.
Specifying the requirements to get admitted to the Physiotherapy Programme, NCAHP clarified that the students entering the physiotherapy programme must have completed the 10+2 degree with science subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology. It also clarified that the admission to the PT courses will be made based on the NEET score.
"The students entering the PT program should have completed the recognized secondary school studies as the qualification stipulated for physiotherapy course (degree) is 10+2 or equivalent examination with science subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Min 50% marks) from a recognized university or board," mentioned the curriculum.
