NEET for Psychology? Confusion Reigns

Confusion has erupted following a National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) notification suggesting NEET, the national medical entrance exam, would be mandatory for allied healthcare professions from the 2026-27 academic year. This initially led to panic among Psychology students and educators, who feared NEET would become a requirement for the B.Psy program.

Consulting psychologists and professors have since clarified that the NEET requirement is primarily intended for paramedical and diagnostic courses like Physiotherapy and Radiology, not for Psychology. Despite this clarification, ongoing ambiguity in official circulars and interpretations on social media continue to fuel concerns, with some universities potentially imposing NEET due to blanket interpretations of the NCAHP's directives.

Compounding the issue are outdated school syllabi lacking scientific foundations and a regulatory vacuum created by ongoing disputes between the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and NCAHP. This lack of clear authority over training standards and licensure leaves students navigating an unstable and contradictory academic landscape, raising fears that Psychology may lose its identity as a hybrid art and science discipline.