NEET & 1-Year Internship Now Mandatory for Physiotherapy Admissions

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has announced that NEET will now be mandatory for admissions to BPT programmes. Additionally, a compulsory 1-year internship has been introduced to standardize physiotherapy education and improve clinical exposure for students across India.

In a landmark decision to reform physiotherapy education, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has made the NEET exam compulsory for admission to the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) programme across India. Alongside this, a one-year internship has also been mandated to enhance hands-on clinical training. These reforms are expected to bring uniformity and better skill development for aspiring physiotherapists.

NEET Made Compulsory for BPT Admissions

Uniform Admission Process:
The NEET exam will now be the common entrance test for all BPT admissions, making the admission process centralized and merit-based.

Enhanced Screening of Students:
This step ensures only eligible and academically competent candidates gain entry into physiotherapy education.

Applicable to All Institutes:
Both government and private institutions offering BPT programmes must adhere to this new admission regulation from the 2025–26 academic session.

One-Year Internship Now Mandatory

Focused Clinical Training:
The inclusion of a one-year internship aims to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-time clinical practice.

Compulsory for All Graduates:
Completion of the internship will be mandatory for the award of the BPT degree and for registration as a licensed physiotherapist.

Hands-On Experience in Healthcare Settings:
Students will now be placed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or clinics to gain supervised clinical exposure and practical skills.

Standardization of Physiotherapy Education

National Curriculum Development:
A new standardized curriculum for physiotherapy education is also in development to maintain parity across all states.

Improved Career Readiness:
These reforms aim to improve employability and global recognition for Indian physiotherapy graduates.

Registration Under NCAHP:
All BPT graduates will now register under NCAHP’s central registry for standardization and legal validation of their qualifications.

Conclusion
With the inclusion of NEET and a mandatory one-year internship, physiotherapy education in India is undergoing a significant transformation. These steps are expected to raise the overall quality of BPT programmes and create a more competent healthcare workforce.