UGC expands degree list with 33 new allied healthcare programmes, revises BPT course duration
The University Grants Commission (UGC), with the approval of the central government, has added thirty-three new allied and healthcare degrees as proposed by the National Commission for Allied Healthcare Professions (NCAHP). UGC has also issued modifications related to the course duration and nomenclature.
The notification clarifies that the degrees covered under the NCAHP's regulatory jurisdiction will be included under these categories in the updated UGC notification. This decision will bring uniformity across courses, nomenclatures, and academic curriculum standards in allied and healthcare programmes.
With this notification, medical courses across 17 disciplines, for which the commission has made uniform curricula, institute norms and admission criteria, get the higher education regulator's stamp of approval. The revised provisions will become applicable after the amendment is officially published in the Gazette.
Yagna Shukla, chairperson, NCAHP, said: “This UGC notification will bring uniformity across course nomenclatures, especially in the disciplines where there's a lot of disparity, such as psychology and medical and psychiatric social work. It will help realise our objective of 'one nation one curriculum' by 2030 or 2031.”
New categories under NCAHP regulation
According to the notification, the course duration of the Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) course has been increased to five years from four and a half years. The programme duration for Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) has also been increased from 4 and a half years to 5 years.
The notification states, “The Universities which are offering MOT and MPT programmes shall accordingly restructure the programme and award the degrees under the specified nomenclature.” Some states and UTs have not yet taken the first step to establish the state allied and healthcare councils (SAHCs), the report read.
New categories under NCAHP regulation
Under the amendment, degrees under the regulatory authority of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) have been listed under the following categories:
- Medicine and Surgery
- Ayurveda
- Unani
- Homeopathy
- Allied and Healthcare
- Pharmacy
- Paramedical
- Nursing
UGC has updated its list and specifications of recognised degrees with respect to the relevant regulatory framework. Below is a summary of the degrees mentioned in the UGC notice.
Degrees Included | Minimum Duration | Entry Qualification |
|---|---|---|
BOptom., MOptom. | 5 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BOT, MOT (Specialisations in MSK, Neuro, MH, Rehab, etc.) | 5 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BPT, MPT (Specializations in Sports, Neuro, Cardio-Pulmonary, etc.) | 5 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BMLS, MMLS (Biochemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, etc.) | 4 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BEMT, MACP (Master of Advanced Care Paramedics) | 4 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BAOTT, MAOTT | 4 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BND (Honours), MND | 4 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BPsy, BMPSW, MMSW, MPSW | 4 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BMRIT, MMRIT (CT, MR, Breast Imaging), BRTT, MRTT | 4 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BSc. (NMT), MSc. (NMT), MSc. (Medical Physics) | 4 yrs (UG) / 3 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BPA, MPA | 4 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BDTT, MDT, BRT, MRT (Adult, Neonatal, Pediatric Care) | 4 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
BSc. (HIM), MSc. (HIM) | 4 yrs (UG) / 2 yrs (PG) | 10+2 (UG) / Bachelor's (PG) |
The order in which the degrees are written does not indicate any priority or preference.
UGC directs HEIs to restructure MOT, MPT courses
According to the notification, the course duration of the Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) course has been increased to five years from four and a half years. The programme duration for Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) has also been increased from 4 and a half years to 5 years.
The notification states, “The Universities which are offering MOT and MPT programmes shall accordingly restructure the programme and award the degrees under the specified nomenclature.” Some states and UTs have not yet taken the first step to establish the state allied and healthcare councils (SAHCs), the report read.