NEET UG 2025: MBBS has long been seen as the central career choice in medicine. But the recent trend has witnessed an unprecedented surge in demand for Allied Health Sciences. Students are now seriously opting for courses like BSc Nursing, BPT (Physiotherapy), B.Pharm, BAMS, BHMS, Optometry, and various paramedical disciplines, not just as alternatives but as primary career choices.
This trend reflects a transforming Indian healthcare ecosystem, a rise in health awareness, and booming opportunities in hospital chains, wellness centres, diagnostics, research, and global healthcare markets.
Growth in Health & Allied Science Admissions
| Course | Avg. Intake Increase (Last 3 Years) | NEET Required? | Governing Body |
| B.Sc. Nursing | +40% | Yes (from 2021) | INC / State Nursing Councils |
| BPT (Physiotherapy) | +32% | Sometimes (State-wise) | IAP |
| BAMS (Ayurveda) | +36% | Yes (via NEET) | NCISM |
| BHMS (Homeopathy) | +29% | Yes (via NEET) | NCH |
| B.Pharm | +24% | No (State/Univ exams) | PCI |
| BMLT, BOTT, BMRIT | +50% (combined paramedical growth) | Sometimes (State CET) | Paramedical Councils/Universities |
Why These Courses Are in Demand
1. Job-Ready Skills with High Employability
- Allied courses offer direct roles in clinics, hospitals, labs, rehabilitation centres, pharma companies, and research.
- BSc Nursing and BPT graduates are in huge demand in the UK, Canada, and Gulf countries.
2. Healthcare System Expansion
- India aims to increase its healthcare spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2026.
- This includes 1.5 lakh Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) across rural India, needing skilled non-MBBS healthcare providers.
3. Rise of Integrative Medicine
- AYUSH systems like Ayurveda (BAMS) and Homoeopathy (BHMS) are now integrated into mainstream government programs.
- BAMS doctors are employed in govt CHCs, AYUSH clinics, insurance wellness programs, and Ayurvedic pharma.
4. Global Opportunities & Licensing
- BSc Nursing grads are preparing for the NCLEX (USA) and OSCE (UK).
- Physiotherapists and optometrists are eligible for practice abroad after licensing.
NEET UG’s Expanding Role Beyond MBBS
NEET UG is now the common entrance for:
| Course | Admission Via NEET? | Seat Allotment Authority |
| MBBS | ✅ | MCC & State Quota |
| BDS | ✅ | MCC & State Quota |
| BAMS | ✅ | AYUSH Counselling via AACCC/States |
| BHMS | ✅ | AYUSH Counselling |
| BUMS | ✅ | AYUSH + State Quota |
| BSc Nursing | ✅ (in Central Institutes) | MCC AIQ for INC-approved colleges |
Note: Paramedical & BPharm may not require NEET but are included in many state-level NEET-based counselling lists.
Popular Institutes Offering Allied Health Courses
| Course | Top Govt/Private Colleges |
| B.Sc Nursing | AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh, CMC Vellore, BHU, AFMC Pune |
| BPT | NIOH Kolkata, IPH Delhi, Manipal Univ, KIMS Bhubaneswar |
| BAMS | Govt Ayurveda Colleges (Jaipur, Nagpur, Kerala), BHU, Tilak Maharashtra |
| BHMS | National Institute of Homeopathy (NIH Kolkata), Nehru Homoeopathy Delhi |
| B.Pharm | Jamia Hamdard, ICT Mumbai, DIPSAR, NIPER, BITS Pilani |
| BMLT, BOTT | SRM, Manipal, Amrita, JIPMER, AIIMS, CMC Ludhiana |
Career Opportunities After Allied Health Courses
| Course | Primary Career Path |
| B.Sc Nursing | Staff Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, OT Nurse, Research, Foreign Migration |
| BPT | Clinical Physiotherapist, Rehab Specialist, Sports Therapy, Hospitals |
| BAMS | Ayurvedic Doctor, Panchakarma Specialist, AYUSH MO, Pharma Consultant |
| BHMS | Homoeopathic Doctor, Health & Wellness Coach, Private Clinic Practice |
| B.Pharm | Pharmacist, Drug Inspector, Clinical Trials, Pharma Marketing |
| Paramedicals | Lab Technician, Radiographer, Operation Theatre Assistant, ICU support |
Projected Sector Growth by 2030
| Sector | Estimated CAGR (2023–2030) | Key Drivers |
| Allied Health Professionals | 15–17% | Health Infra, Ayushman Bharat, Rural Clinics |
| Nursing Education & Export | 20% | Demand from UK, Germany, Australia, Gulf |
| Ayurveda & Herbal Market | 19% | Global shift toward integrative wellness |
| Medical Labs & Diagnostics | 22% | Growth of preventive healthcare & AI diagnostics |
The boom in Allied Health & AYUSH fields is not a temporary trend — it’s a paradigm shift in how India (and the world) views healthcare delivery now and in future. While MBBS remains prestigious, courses like BSc Nursing, BPT, BAMS, BHMS, and BPharm offer real-world value, lower academic pressure, and faster employability.
Whether you’re a NEET aspirant or looking for diverse career options in healthcare, these fields are worth exploring.
