4,080 Maharashtra Physiotherapy Seats Open for 2026-27 After NCAHP Eases New Rules

Thousands of students aiming for physiotherapy seats in Maharashtra’s government and aided colleges can breathe easy. The state will admit students to all 4,080 seats for the 2026-27 academic year after the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) agreed to relax its new intake rules for this year.

The problem started when the State CET Cell published its seat matrix on September 27 and several government and aided physiotherapy colleges were missing from it. The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, under which all physiotherapy seats in the state fall, had also sought directions from the government on how to proceed.

Why the seats vanished from the seat matrix

The new NCAHP norms said a physiotherapy college must have a minimum of 50 seats and a maximum of 200 seats in its course. The trouble is that many government colleges currently have far fewer seats. Some have 10, 30 or 40 seats, and several are below 20 or 30.

Because these colleges did not match the new intake pattern, they were left out of the CET Cell’s seat matrix. The state government then asked the Centre to let colleges keep their existing intake for the current academic year and apply the new norms from the next academic year. The NCAHP agreed, clearing the way for admission to the full 4,080 seats in government and aided colleges.

Across the state, there are 6,930 physiotherapy seats in 119 colleges. Admissions were already underway for 2,850 seats in 39 private colleges. With this decision, the remaining seats in the government and aided sector will now come into the centralised admission process too.

The state’s request was simple: keep the old intake for one more year so that students do not lose seats because of a rule change mid-cycle. The NCAHP’s relaxation means every government and aided physiotherapy college in Maharashtra can fill its seats for 2026-27.

What this means for your admission chances

For students, the key outcome is that choice filling through the centralised process will now include government and aided colleges again. These are the colleges most students prefer, since their fees are far lower than private colleges. If you skipped filling choices earlier because your preferred college was missing from the matrix, watch the CET Cell’s announcements for the updated seat matrix and any fresh choice-filling window.

Keep your documents ready the way the CET Cell’s official CAP 2026-27 portal asks for them. This also applies to students tracking other centralised rounds in the state, such as those covered in our Maharashtra NEET UG round 3 counselling update. Before you sit for any verification round, run through our college admission documents checklist so a missing paper does not cost you a seat.

Eligibility: NEET not needed this year

In a separate decision, the NCAHP has deferred the mandatory NEET (UG) requirement for Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) admissions to the 2027-28 academic year. For 2026-27, admission is based on the aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Class 12, per the commission’s official notification.

The eligibility rules for this year are:

• General and EWS candidates: at least 50% aggregate in PCB, with English passed.
• SC, ST and OBC (NCL) candidates: at least 40% aggregate in PCB, with English passed.
• PwD candidates: at least 40% in PCB in the qualifying examination.

What to do next

• Check the updated seat matrix on the CET Cell portal once the revised list with government and aided colleges is published.
• Re-check your choice filling if the portal reopens the window. Fill all your genuine preferences; do not leave the list half empty.
• Track MUHS and CET Cell notices every day during the counselling window. The schedule can change after a policy decision like this one.
• Verify your PCB percentage against the eligibility criteria above so you do not apply to a course you are not eligible for.
• Keep the documents ready: Class 10 and 12 marksheets, domicile and category certificates if applicable, and your CET application details.

The NCAHP is also moving toward NEET-based entry for other allied health courses, such as optometry, nutrition and dietetics, and dialysis technology, in the coming years.

Frequently asked questions

How many physiotherapy seats are available in Maharashtra for 2026-27? There are 6,930 seats across 119 colleges in the state. Of these, 4,080 seats in government and aided colleges were affected by the new NCAHP rules and will now be filled after the relaxation.

Is NEET required for BPT admission in Maharashtra in 2026? No. The NCAHP has deferred the mandatory NEET requirement for Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy admissions to the 2027-28 academic year. Admission for 2026-27 is based on Class 12 marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

What is the minimum eligibility for BPT admission this year? Candidates must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and English. General and EWS candidates need 50% aggregate in PCB, while SC, ST, OBC-NCL and PwD candidates need 40%.

Where do I apply for physiotherapy admission in Maharashtra? Admissions go through the State CET Cell’s centralised admission process. Check the seat matrix and choice filling schedule on the CET Cell’s official CAP portal for 2026-27.