NEET, once limited to MBBS and BDS admissions, is steadily becoming the single gateway to healthcare education in India. From the academic year 2026–27, allied and healthcare courses will also require NEET qualification, marking a major policy shift toward standardisation.
Associated specialists—such as physiotherapists, lab technologists, radiographers, and optometrists—form the cornerstone of the healthcare system. Earlier, admissions to these courses diverse widely across states and institutions. Making NEET obligatory aims to bring unvaried eligibility, transparency, and minimum academic standards all over the country.
For students, this step provides clarity via one national exam but also elevates the bar, raising competition and the requirement for early preparation. While NEET ensures educational merit, the question ahead will be to stabilize entrance testing with the practical and art-based training necessary for associated healthcare roles.
NEET’s expansion signals a clear message: quality healthcare begins with quality education—across all professions, not just doctors.
From Optional to Mandatory: NEET’s Expanding Role Beyond MBBS
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