By Tejaswini Vats on 2 Jun 2026
7 mins read
The five allied and healthcare degrees you can join after 12th without NEET in 2026 are BPT, B.Optom, B.MLS, B.AOTT and B.MRIT. NEET is not required for B.Optom, B.MLS, B.AOTT or B.MRIT, and for BPT it is not required for AY 2026-27 because NCAHP deferred it to AY 2027-28. You can study these degrees at universities partnering with Virohan such as Vikrant University, Gwalior, Lingaya's Vidyapeeth, Faridabad and MIT University, Shillong.
Allied and healthcare degrees are professional careers in their own right, each with its own clinical or diagnostic scope, curriculum and career ladder. They are regulated by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), and admission is based on your 12th marks. Below, you will find what each degree involves, who can apply, fees, salaries and where to study in 2026.
| Program | Duration | Eligibility | NEET Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) | 5 years, including a 1-year internship | 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; English mandatory; minimum 50% in PCB | Not required for AY 2026-27; deferred to AY 2027-28 |
| Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) | 5 years, including a 1-year internship | 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; minimum 50% in PCB/PCM | Not required |
| Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS) | 4 years, including a 1-year internship | 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; PCB mandatory | Not required |
| Bachelor of Anaesthesia & Operation Theatre Technology (B.AOTT) | 4 years, including a 1-year internship | 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; PCB/PCM mandatory | Not required |
| Bachelor of Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology (B.MRIT) | 4 years, including a 1-year internship | 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; PCB mandatory | Not required |
Minimum age for all five degrees is 17 by the intake cut-off. UPES, Dehradun asks for 50% in individual subjects for the degrees it offers. The eligibility cut off can vary by University.
| Role | Average salary | Top 10% earn above | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapist (BPT) | ₹3.4 LPA | ₹5 LPA | AmbitionBox, September 2026 |
| Optometrist (B.Optom) | ₹3.5 LPA | ₹4.4 LPA | AmbitionBox, September 2026 |
| Medical Lab Technician (B.MLS) | ₹2.6 LPA | ₹4.5 LPA | AmbitionBox, September 2026 |
| Operation Theatre Technician (B.AOTT) | ₹3.1 LPA | ₹4.5 LPA | AmbitionBox, September 2026 |
| Radiology Technician (B.MRIT) | ₹2.8 LPA | ₹4 LPA | AmbitionBox, September 2026 |
Pay rises with experience, specialization and supervisory roles. These figures are indicative rather than guaranteed.
For B.Optom, B.MLS, B.AOTT and B.MRIT, NEET is not required. Admission is based on your 12th marks, and some universities run their own entrance test.
For BPT, NCAHP had planned NEET-based admission, but the NCAHP letter dated 02 March 2026 deferred it to AY 2027-28. If you apply for BPT in AY 2026-27, NEET is not required. Check the position again if you plan to apply for a later year.
NCAHP has also set degree names and admission eligibility for AY 2026-27 in its letter dated 08 April 2026, and lists notified curricula on its curriculum page.
Physiotherapy helps people restore movement and function after injury, surgery or illness. BPT graduates work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, sports settings, corporate wellness and private practice, in areas such as orthopaedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary and sports rehabilitation.
BPT runs for 5 years, including a 1-year internship. Eligibility is 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; English mandatory; minimum 50% in PCB. NEET is not required for AY 2026-27; it is deferred to AY 2027-28.
Roles include Physiotherapy Consultant, Rehabilitation Specialist, Orthopedic Physiotherapy and Corporate Wellness Physiotherapy. The total program fee for BPT is ₹12,40,000 for 5 years, plus ₹10,000 registration, at every university partnering with Virohan that offers it. See the physiotherapy course guide and our list of the best colleges for physiotherapy in India.
Optometry is the profession focused on examining eyes, measuring refraction, fitting corrective lenses and supporting non-surgical eye care. Optometrists work in hospital eye departments, eye-care chains and clinics.
B.Optom runs for 5 years, including a 1-year internship. Eligibility is 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; minimum 50% in PCB/PCM, so PCM students can apply. NEET is not required.
Roles include Contact Lens Specialist, Pediatric Optometrist, Low Vision Rehabilitator and Research Optometrist. The total program fee for B.Optom is ₹12,40,000 for 5 years, plus ₹10,000 registration, at every university partnering with Virohan that offers it. See the optometry course guide.
Medical laboratory science covers the tests behind clinical decisions: haematology, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, histopathology, immunology and molecular diagnostics. B.MLS graduates run laboratory tests, operate analyzers and produce accurate reports.
B.MLS runs for 4 years, including a 1-year internship. Eligibility is 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; PCB mandatory. NEET is not required.
Roles include Lab Technician, Pathology Technician, Molecular Diagnostics Technician and Quality Control Officer. The total program fee for B.MLS is ₹8,60,000 for 4 years, plus ₹10,000 registration, at every university partnering with Virohan that offers it. See the Medical Lab Science (MLS) course guide.
B.AOTT prepares you for operation theatre and anaesthesia work: preparing theatres and instruments, setting up anaesthesia equipment, maintaining sterile conditions and monitoring patients during procedures.
B.AOTT runs for 4 years, including a 1-year internship. Eligibility is 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; PCB/PCM mandatory, so PCM students can apply. NEET is not required.
Roles include Operation Theatre Technician, Anaesthesia Technician, Cardiac OT Technician and OT Coordinator. The total program fee for B.AOTT is ₹8,60,000 for 4 years, plus ₹10,000 registration, at every university partnering with Virohan that offers it. See the B.AOTT course guide.
B.MRIT trains you to operate X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound and mammography equipment, position patients and produce diagnostic-quality images while following radiation safety rules set by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). India's diagnostic imaging market is projected to reach USD 2.4 billion by 2033 (IMARC Group, 2024).
B.MRIT runs for 4 years, including a 1-year internship. Eligibility is 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually; PCB mandatory. NEET is not required. The NCAHP B.MRIT curriculum was notified on 24 April 2025 and revised by Corrigendum-1 on 6 May 2026.
Roles include MRIT Technologist, MRI Technologist, Mammography Technician and Radiation Therapy Technologist. The total program fee for B.MRIT is ₹8,60,000 for 4 years, plus ₹10,000 registration, at every university partnering with Virohan that offers it. See the B.MRIT course guide.
The total program fee is the same at every university partnering with Virohan: ₹12,40,000 for BPT and B.Optom, and ₹8,60,000 for B.MLS, B.AOTT and B.MRIT, each plus ₹10,000 registration. Compare total program fees for the full degree, not annual figures, and check the details on virohan.com/courses. Education loans are widely available, and merit-based scholarships may be available; amounts, eligibility and availability can change, so check the current terms before you apply.
For a wider comparison, see our guide to the best allied and healthcare courses after 12th, or talk to our expert counsellors for guidance matched to your background.
These universities offer allied and healthcare degrees with Virohan as their industry partner:
| University | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Vikrant University, Gwalior | BPT, B.Optom, B.MLS, B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
| SR University, Warangal | BPT, B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
| Lingaya's Vidyapeeth, Faridabad | BPT, B.Optom, B.MLS, B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
| MIT University, Shillong | BPT, B.Optom, B.MLS, B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
| HRIT University, Ghaziabad | B.Optom, B.MLS, B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
| Silver Oak University, Ahmedabad | B.MLS, B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
| Invertis University, Bareilly | BPT, B.MLS, B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
| Shobhit University, Saharanpur | BPT, B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
| BBD University, Lucknow | BPT, B.Optom, B.MLS, B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
| UPES, Dehradun | B.MLS, B.AOTT |
| CMR University, Bengaluru | B.MRIT, B.AOTT |
The universities teach and award the degrees, and Virohan works with them as industry partner. Virohan has nearly a decade in allied and healthcare education, and students get access to 2,000+ top healthcare brands for internship and job opportunities across 20+ cities. Over 13,000 candidates and alumni are pursuing healthcare education and careers through Virohan's network of top universities and healthcare employer partners.
BPT, B.Optom, B.MLS, B.AOTT and B.MRIT are five regulated allied and healthcare degrees you can join on your 12th marks in 2026, each leading to a distinct clinical or diagnostic career. Choose based on your subjects, the work you enjoy and the program length that suits you, then compare universities on curriculum, internships and total fees. Talk to our expert counsellors when you are ready to decide.
What are the best healthcare courses after 12th without NEET?
Five allied and healthcare degrees you can join on your 12th marks are BPT, B.Optom, B.MLS, B.AOTT and B.MRIT. NEET is not required for B.Optom, B.MLS, B.AOTT and B.MRIT, and for BPT it is not required for AY 2026-27. Each leads to a regulated career in patient care, diagnostics or surgical work.
Is NEET required for BPT in 2026-27?
No. The NCAHP letter dated 02 March 2026 deferred the NEET requirement for BPT to AY 2027-28, so NEET is not required for BPT in AY 2026-27. You need 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually, English mandatory and minimum 50% in PCB, and a minimum age of 17.
Can I study optometry after 12th without NEET?
Yes. NEET is not required for B.Optom. You need 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually and minimum 50% in PCB/PCM, with a minimum age of 17. B.Optom runs for 5 years, including a 1-year internship, and is available at universities partnering with Virohan such as Vikrant University, Gwalior and Lingaya's Vidyapeeth, Faridabad.
Can I get a scholarship for a healthcare course without NEET?
Merit-based scholarships, like Virohan's Aspire for Healthcare Scholarship, may be available for allied and healthcare degrees, and education loans are widely available. Amounts, eligibility and availability change, so check the current terms with the university or our expert counsellors before you apply. Always compare the total program fee for the full degree when you plan your finances.
Which of these degrees pays the most?
Average salaries are close at entry level. Optometrists average ₹3.5 LPA, Physiotherapists ₹3.4 LPA, Operation Theatre Technicians ₹3.1 LPA, Radiology Technicians ₹2.8 LPA and Medical Lab Technicians ₹2.6 LPA (AmbitionBox, September 2026). Specialization, experience and supervisory roles make the bigger difference over time.
Is Biology mandatory for all these programs?
No. PCB is required for BPT, B.MLS and B.MRIT. B.Optom and B.AOTT accept PCB or PCM. All five need 12th pass with 40% in all subjects individually, with BPT also needing English and 50% in PCB, and B.Optom needing 50% in PCB/PCM. Minimum age is 17.
What should I do after 12th if I want a healthcare career without NEET?
Start with your 12th subjects: BPT, B.MLS and B.MRIT need PCB, while B.Optom and B.AOTT accept PCB or PCM. Several degrees can suit the same interest, so shortlist universities on curriculum, internships and total fees, and talk to our expert counsellors for guidance.
Salary figures and fee estimates are indicative and may vary based on institution, location, and individual performance. All regulatory information is based on NCAHP communications as of April 2026. Verify current details directly with your chosen institution or NCAHP.
