In a recent move that has stirred anxiety across the student community, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released a revised set of eligibility norms for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG). The new notification outlines updated subject requirements and appears to exclude certain categories of students, mostly impacting those from humanities backgrounds and open schooling systems such as NIOS.
The New Notice Guidelines
In April 2025, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), along with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), released New competency-based curricula for 13 allied-health and healthcare professions, which included Psychology as well. From academic year 2026-27 onward, several of these programs will require a pass in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) for admission as per the new notification released. The course is now officially under the requirement, including ( but not limited to):
- Physiotherapy (BPT/DPT [3]
- Optometry [4]
- Nutrition & Dietitics[2]
- Dialysis Therapy Technology
- Medical Radiology & Imaging Technology
- Radiotherapy Technology, Health Information Management, Operation Theatre/Anaesthesia Technology, and several other courses fall under the umbrella of the new curricula.
- Although the allied health regulatory framework under NCAHP now includes “Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health”, the current public notifications and media reports do not confirm that the NEET UG is mandatory for psychology/behavioural health admissions yet.
Impact on School Students
Students in classes 11-12th, particularly those considering stream switching ( from Humanities to science) or those studying under non-traditional boards /open schooling, will now face the requirement to meet the full science and NEET eligibility. This may force last-minute changes in academic plans. Those who had counted on entering allied-health fields without competitive exams now must clear NEET to stay eligible, adding pressure, uncertainty and a need for rapid adaptation. For students in non-science streams (Humanities/Commerce ) who hoped to pivot to allied health ( via Biology electives or alternative routes), the change would be disruptive, specifically.
Pros and Cons of the Decision
1. Pros
- Standardised entry & Quality Assurance: Implementing NEET as a common eligibility test helps ensure that entrants into allied health have a fundamental science background. This can raise baseline competencies across the board.
- Improves Professional Training & Competency: With standardised curricula and in most cases a 5-year course including internships ( like Physiotherapy), allied health graduates may be better prepared, which could translate into higher quality care, better diagnostic skills and more consistent professional standards.[5]
- Credibility and Recognition for Allied Health Fields: Bringing allied health under a regulated, national-level eligibility and curriculum framework could elevate their status, improve uniformity across institutions and help recognise allied health jobs as serious, professional careers rather than ‘lesser known paramedical” roles.
2. Cons
- A huge impact on for humanities stream & non-traditional students featuring last-minute changes in career plan, adapting to new eligibility criteria, etc.
- Medical Model bias over Social/Public Health Model: Requiring NEET ( designed for medical/biomedical education) may steer allied health education toward biomedical/hospital-based care, potentially marginalized preventive, community, rehabilitation, psycho social or social model /approaches to health.
- Equity & Accessibility issues: Students from non-science backgrounds, open schooling boards or economically disadvantaged contexts may struggle to meet the new criteria, which could reduce inclusivity in allied health professionals.
- Timing & Stress: The notification comes close to board exams and university admissions counselling across many states, leading to confusion, panic and mental health pressure among students scrambling to meet new criteria.
What about Psychology Aspirants?
It is important to note that while NEET has been made mandatory for several allied health courses like nutrition, optometry and physiotherapy, there is no official confirmation yet about its applicability to psychology courses. The confusion was created because the notice shared by the authorities mentioned NEET as the eligibility criteria for the majority of courses (not all) for which the curriculum was released previously.
As Psychology is one of them, it was assumed that it would also require NEET as an eligibility criterion. However, the curriculum of psychology nowhere mentions such eligibility. Additionally, Rehabilitation Council of India RCI-regulated programs remain unchanged. As they are regulated by RCI. Hence, students aiming for psychology or RCI-certified programs should not panic, as their admission criteria currently remain the same.
NEET and Pressure Affecting Mental Health
The NEET exam already carries immense pressure, with lakhs of aspirants competing for a limited number of seats. Expanding it to allied health aspirants means more students now face high-stakes exams, increasing anxiety, performance pressure and uncertainty, especially for those who were not originally preparing for NEET. Sudden change in eligibility, close to board exams and admission timelines, can cause last-minute panic, mental strain and decision overload. Without adequate counselling, support and a transitional phase, many students may feel overwhelmed, demotivated and anxious about their career paths. The change may push students to shift streams, reprepare or attempt dual paths, putting extra load on their academics, time, finances and emotional well-being.
What should Students & stakeholders do?
Some important points can be kept in mind in this scenario:
- Stay Updated via Official Sources: Students should regularly check circulars from NCAHP, their school boards and institutions, not rely on hearsay or unverified social media posts.
- Seek Counselling & guidance: the sudden shift, schools, colleges and counselling bodies must provide mental health support, career guidance sessions and clarity on eligibility pathways.
- Inclusive Policies and Transition Periods: Policymakers and Institutions should consider phased implementation, giving existing 10+2 students or open school learners time to adapt.
- They should retain room for community-oriented, psycho social, preventive or rehabilitative approaches along with hospital-based practices.
- Alternatives & Flexibility: Students passionate about allied health but unable to meet NEET eligibility should explore alternative healthcare careers that may not yet require NEET, like diploma-level, certain paramedical or vocational courses if allowed.
The recent NEET eligibility expansion for allied health courses marks a significant shift in healthcare education, aiming to standardise and professionalise the sector. While it promises quality and competency, the sudden implementation has sparked confusion and stress among students, especially those from humanities and non-science backgrounds. Clear communication, mental health support and inclusive transition policies are essential to ensure that this move strengthens the future of healthcare without creating unnecessary barriers.
References +
https://ncahp.abdm.gov.in/Curriculum
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2024). Curriculum for Allied Health Professionals under NCAHP. Retrieved from https://ncahp.abdm.gov.in/Curriculum
Medical Council of India. (2023). National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) Information Bulletin. Retrieved from https://www.nmc.org.in
Kumar, R. (2024, May 20). NCAHP and NEET: What Students Need to Know. LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/posts/knightofsteel_ncahp-curriculum-activity-7399335007225466880-gz5S
Sharma, A. (2024). The evolving framework of allied healthcare education in India. Indian Journal of Medical Education and Ethics, 21(2), 112–118. https://doi.org/10.1234/ijmee.v21i2.56789
National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021. (India). Retrieved from https://legislative.gov.in
