The University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified changes to the degree structure for several allied and healthcare programmes from the academic year 2026-27. The changes were notified in the Gazette of India on August 27, 2026, with the approval of the Central Government. The notification is the fifth amendment to the UGC notification on the specification of degrees issued in 2014.One of the key changes is for Master of Physiotherapy (M.PT) and Master of Occupational Therapy (M.OT) programmes. From the academic year 2026-27, these will not be awarded as general degrees. Students will receive the degrees with specific specialisations.The UGC notification lists the new degree names and specialisations under allied and healthcare programmes. The changes will apply from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette.M.OT to be awarded with specialisationsUnder the new structure, universities offering M.OT programmes will have to restructure their programmes and award degrees with the specified specialisations.The listed M.OT specialisations include:Musculoskeletal SciencesPaediatrics and NeonatologyNeurosciencesMental HealthCardiovascular and Pulmonary SciencesRehabilitationGeriatricsHandOncological SciencesThe notification specifies the M.OT degrees as master’s-level programmes with a minimum duration of two years and a bachelor’s degree as the entry qualification.M.PT to have specific specialisationsThe same change has been made for Master of Physiotherapy (M.PT). Universities offering M.PT programmes will have to restructure them and award degrees under the specified specialisations.The new M.PT specialisations listed in the notification are:Musculoskeletal SciencesNeurosciencesCardiovascular and Pulmonary SciencesSports SciencesPaediatrics and Neonatal SciencesObstetrics and Gynaecology SciencesOncology SciencesCommunity Rehabilitation SciencesThe M.PT programmes listed in the notification have a minimum duration of two years after a bachelor’s degree.Existing students will follow earlier rulesThe change will not affect students who were admitted to M.PT or M.OT programmes before the academic year 2026-27.According to the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) communication included in the UGC document, students admitted before 2026-27 may receive their degrees under the earlier UGC notification.More allied healthcare degrees addedThe UGC notification also adds several other specified degrees under the allied and healthcare category.These include:Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS)Master of Medical Laboratory Science (M.MLS)Master of Medical Laboratory Science in Medical MicrobiologyMaster of Medical Laboratory Science in Hematology and Transfusion MedicineMaster of Medical Laboratory Science in Histology and CytopathologyBachelor of Emergency Medical Technologist (Paramedics) (B.EMT)Master of Advance Care Paramedics (M.ACP)Bachelor of Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology (B.AOTT)Master of Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology (M.AOTT)The notification also includes degrees in nutrition and dietetics, psychology, medical and psychiatric social work, medical radiology and imaging technology, radiation therapy technology, nuclear medicine technology, medical physics, physician associates, dialysis therapy and respiratory technology.Health information management degrees includedThe revised list also covers health information management programmes. These include Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (B.Sc. HIM) and Master of Science in Health Information Management (M.Sc. HIM). The bachelor’s degree has a minimum duration of four years, while the master’s degree has a minimum duration of two years.The UGC said the amendment was issued under Section 22(3) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. The fifth amendment updates the list of degrees coming under the regulatory purview of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions.Get the latest Education News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

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