NEET Mandatory for Allied and Healthcare Courses from 2026-27: New NCAHP Rules

Starting from the academic year 2026-27, appearing for the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) will be a mandatory basic eligibility criterion for admission to undergraduate Allied and Healthcare courses in India.

The directive comes from the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP). The NCAHP has notified 13 new curricula for various graduate and postgraduate courses to be implemented starting in the 2026-27 session. More curricula are currently being processed.

For the majority of these notified curricula, appearing in NEET is now a compulsory requirement, in addition to other standard eligibility criteria (such as passing Senior Secondary exams).

The Commission has requested Central, State, and UT Boards to inform schools and institutes about this change so that aspiring students are aware they must appear for NEET.

This move follows a similar precedent set last year, where NEET was made a mandatory entry requirement specifically for undergraduate Physiotherapy courses.