In a major move to standardize medical education across India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially notified the 5th Amendment to the Specification of Degrees.
Published in the Gazette of India on August 31, 2026, the new directive introduces 33 brand-new degrees and 21 restructured courses under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) framework.
The reform establishes a “One Nation, One Curriculum” system, effectively unifying the nomenclature, entry criteria, and durations for allied healthcare education nationwide starting from the 2026–27 academic session.
UGC New Allied Healthcare Courses’ Durations Extended for BPT, BOT, and Optometry
To align Indian healthcare graduates with global standards and ensure rigorous clinical exposure, the UGC has extended the duration of several flagship undergraduate programs. Students entering these programs will now undergo extended training:
| Degree Programme | Previous Duration | New Restructured Duration |
| Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) | 4.5 Years | 5 Years |
| Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) | 4 Years | 5 Years |
| Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) | 4.5 Years | 5 Years |
Corresponding postgraduate courses, including the Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), are also undergoing structural revisions to seamlessly blend with the new framework.
Expanded Disciplines and New Post-Graduate Tracks
The 5th Amendment introduces specialized pathways to meet the growing demands of modern healthcare infrastructure. The newly approved 33 degrees cover a vast array of critical fields, including:
- Medical Laboratory Sciences & Dialysis Therapy
- Emergency Medical Technology & Radiation Therapy
- Nutrition and Dietetics & Health Information Management
Furthermore, the amendment introduces highly specialized postgraduate branches, highlighting eight distinct tracks for Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) and nine tracks for Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT). Advanced specializations in Adult and Neonatal Respiratory Care have also been codified.
Strict Entry Criteria and Eligibility Framework
Under the new guidelines, most of the newly specified Bachelor’s degrees will carry a minimum duration of 4 years, with a 10+2 science background required for entry. Master’s programs will generally span 2 years.
However, highly technical disciplines require a longer academic commitment. Programs such as the M.Sc. in Nuclear Medicine Technology and M.Sc. in Medical Physics will now carry a mandatory 3-year minimum duration to accommodate complex radiological safety and clinical protocols.
Universities and technical institutions nationwide are directed to immediately align their course rubrics with the NCAHP competency guidelines ahead of the upcoming admissions cycle.
UGC has approved 33 new and 21 updated/restructured allied and healthcare programmes.
The programmes fall under the regulatory framework of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP).
The approved programmes are intended to support the 2026–27 academic session and strengthen standardised allied healthcare education.
