Is NEET Required for Paramedical Courses?

Is NEET Required for Paramedical Courses?

Manisha TiwariUpdated on 08 Dec 2025, 04:03 PM IST

As we are heading towards the admission for 2026 academic year, students are anxious to know ‘Is NEET required for Paramedical courses’? Until now, NEET was not required for Paramedical courses like Physiotherapy, Optometry, Radiotherapy including others. However, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has implemented a new regulatory framework making NEET a mandatory eligibility requirement for Allied and Healthcare undergraduate courses from the academic year 2026-27. This rule applies to those Paramedical courses whose curriculum has been notified by the authority. This article on ‘Is NEET required for Paramedical courses?’ explains about the updated Paramedical admission rules and affected courses.

This Story also Contains

  1. Is NEET required for Paramedical courses in 2026?
  2. Which Paramedical courses require NEET?
  3. NEET required for Paramedical courses: Eligibility criteria
  4. NEET for Paramedical courses: Admission process
  5. NEET for Paramedical courses: Tips for candidates
Is NEET Required for Paramedical Courses?
Is NEET Required for Paramedical Courses?

Paramedical courses are widely chosen by candidates who want to serve in the medical field. The requirement of NEET for paramedical courses may make the admission process similar to that of MBBS and BDS. As a result, students planning a career in allied healthcare fields must now prepare for NEET 2026, even if they are not aiming for MBBS or BDS. Read the full article to know more on NEET for Paramedical courses, eligibility requirements and other information.

Is NEET required for Paramedical courses in 2026?

Yes, NEET UG scores will be required for several Paramedical course admissions from 2026 onwards. With the NCAHP introducing new curricula, various Paramedical undergraduate courses will require NEET UG as an essential criteria from the 2026-27 session. In other words, admission to popular Paramedical courses such as Physiotherapy, Radiotherapy, Nutrition & Dietetics and others will now be granted based on the NEET scores. Although the admission process is yet to be released by the authority, candidates aiming for Paramedical courses must now prepare for NEET 2026.

JSS University Mysore 2025

NAAC A+ Accredited| Ranked #24 in University Category by NIRF | Applications open for multiple UG & PG Programs

Which Paramedical courses require NEET?

NEET 2026 scores will be used for admission to Paramedical courses whose curriculum has been released by the NCAHP. List of Paramedical courses through NEET is provided below.

  • Anesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology

  • Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health

  • Dialysis Therapy Technology & Dialysis Therapy

  • Health Information Management

  • Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology

  • Nutrition and Dietetics

  • Optometry

  • Physician Associates

  • Physiotherapy

  • Radiotherapy Technology

  • Emergency Medical Technologist (Paramedic), Burn Care Technologist and Advance Care Paramedic

NEET 2026 Free Mock Test with Solutions
Download the NEET 2026 Free Mock Test PDF with detailed solutions. Practice real exam-style questions, analyze your performance, and enhance your preparation.
Download EBook

NEET required for Paramedical courses: Eligibility criteria

As per the regulation, one of the NCAHP eligibility criteria for admission to allied and healthcare courses from 2026 onwards will be NEET. The NEET exam eligibility for Paramedical courses is mentioned below.

  • Students must have completed their class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology courses.

  • Candidates must have obtained 50% marks in aggregate in the qualifying examination (for general category candidates).

  • Students must be of 17 years of age as on December 31 of the year of admission.

  • Candidates must appear for the medical entrance examination and must qualify the exam by securing minimum NEET cutoff marks.

NEET for Paramedical courses: Admission process

As the admission to Allied and Health care programs will be through NEET 2026 now, the admission process will also change. Many state-level or university-level Paramedical exams will now be discontinued. Candidates will have to register and fill the NEET application form. Registered candidates will have to download the admit card of NEET and appear for the medical entrance examination. Candidates who will qualify for the NEET UG 2026 examination will be eligible for the admissions to Paramedical courses listed by the NCAHP. However, the further counselling and admission process is still unclear and is to be released by the authority.

NEET Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

NEET for Paramedical courses: Tips for candidates

Candidates wishing to secure admission to Paramedical courses in 2026 session will have to appear for the NEET examination (for those courses whose curriculum has been notified by the NCAHP). Here are some tips for Paramedical aspirants.

  • Prepare well for the medical entrance examination according to the NEET exam pattern.

  • Check for your eligibility to appear for NEET.

  • Prepare through previous year’s NEET question papers and mock tests.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which Paramedical courses require the NEET UG exam?
A:

Paramedical courses such as Physiotherapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dialysis Therapy and others will be granted through NEET 2026. A complete list of Paramedical courses which require NEET is provided above.

Q: Can I get paramedical admission without NEET?
A:

Admission to Paramedical courses whose curriculum has been notified by NCAHP will be granted through NEET. List of Allied and Health care courses through NEET is provided above.

Q: Is NEET compulsory for Paramedical in government colleges?
A:

As per the NCAHP regulation, NEET is mandatory for Paramedical courses admission from 2026 onwards.

Articles
|
Upcoming Medicine Exams
Ongoing Dates
Odisha BSc Nursing Counselling Date

1 Dec'25 - 31 Dec'25 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
Haryana BSc Nursing Counselling Date

29 Dec'25 - 31 Dec'25 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
GAHET Result Date

30 Dec'25 - 30 Dec'25 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Biomolecules Structure Function in Health and Disease
Via All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi
Industrial Biotechnology
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Certificate Course in Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Methodology
Via Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
Nutrition in the Health Sector
Via The University of Adelaide, Adelaide
Yoga Practices 1
Via Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore
Online M.Sc Data Science
Via SASTRA Deemed To Be University, Directorate Of Online and Distance Education
Coursera
 355 courses
Futurelearn
 310 courses
Edx
 233 courses
Udemy
 191 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to NEET

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NEET ?

Hello aspirant,

Indeed, aside from NEET, there are a number of lucrative job choices in PCB. Strong wage potential is available in fields including biotechnology, bioinformatics, genetic engineering, biomedical engineering, data science in healthcare, and pharmaceutical research, particularly with higher education. Promising careers include those in environmental science, food technology, clinical research, and regulatory affairs. Compared to NEET, exams like IAT, CUET, and private university admissions are less difficult but nonetheless lucrative because they provide access to reputable universities.

Thank you

Hello,

While North Lakhimpur College (Autonomous) offers regular higher secondary and degree programs, specific details about them running integrated NEET courses require direct confirmation from the college, though autonomous colleges have the flexibility to introduce such specialized programs.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello aspirant,

It is feasible to complete the NEET and Class 12 theory course in four months, but only with a methodical, well-thought-out approach. Focus on NCERT first because it is essential for both exams and a large portion of the syllabus overlaps. Make a rigorous daily schedule, balance theory with multiple-choice questions, review frequently, and take practice exams. The secret to success is consistency, astute planning, and concentrated study time.

Thank you

Hope it helps you

Good Morning, Aspirant,

Preparing for both NEET and JEE entrance exams at the same time would be challenging but possible. AS physics and chemistry are both subjects common to both exams. Students need to balance math and biology. A proper timetable can help you manage time and prepare for the exam without stress. You can register for the mock test for JEE students, conducted by Creers360. Giving a mock test can help you analyse your in-depth performance. The last date of registration on 8th January. The link to the mock test is attached herewith.


Hello Aspirant

Preparing for both NEET and JEE together is possible, but honestly, very tough.
The syllabus is huge. NEET needs strong Biology, and JEE needs strong Math.
Both exams have very different styles and expectations.
Only students with very strong basics and high discipline can manage both well.

If you are an average student, it’s better to choose one exam and focus fully on it. These are my honest advise to you, you can prepare for one exam and crack that exam, the future opportunities are many in JEE and NEET.