Bengaluru: Admission to undergraduate programmes in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy will be conducted exclusively through the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) from the academic year 2026–27, the Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Council has said.

In a press note issued on Friday, Council Chairman Prof. U. T. Iftikhar Ali Fareed said the decision follows a communication from the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) to the National Testing Agency and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

According to the notification, the NCAHP has finalised the category-wise degree nomenclature and admission criteria for Allied and Healthcare undergraduate programmes and communicated the same to the University Grants Commission for adoption from the 2026–27 academic year.

As per the guidelines, admissions to the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), classified under Category 3, and the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT), classified under Category 6, will be carried out only through NEET, in accordance with the provisions of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021.

The Council has asked Vice-Chancellors of public universities, private state universities and deemed-to-be universities to take note of the revised admission procedure and ensure that the information is widely circulated among affiliated colleges, faculty members and students seeking admission to these courses.

Universities have also been directed to take necessary steps to ensure strict compliance with the NCAHP admission process for the 2026–27 academic year and for subsequent years.

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Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.

A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".

"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.

"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.

Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.

Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."

TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.

TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.

A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.

Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."

"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.

South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.