How to become a Physiotherapist in India
फ़िज़ियोथेरेपिस्ट
Help people recover movement and manage pain after injury, surgery, stroke or long-term illness.
- Streams
- Science (PCB)
- Time it takes
- 4.5 years after Class 12
- Key exams
- NEET, CUET
What you actually do
- Assess movement, strength and pain
- Plan exercise, manual therapy and electrotherapy programmes
- Track progress and teach patients exercises to do at home
A day in the life
Seeing a post-surgery knee patient, a stroke survivor learning to walk again and an athlete with a sprain, then writing progress notes and planning tomorrow’s sessions.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: science and an interest in sport or the human bodyabout 2 yr
- Class 11–12: Science with PCBabout 2 yr
- Entrance: state or university tests; some states use NEET (UG) scoresabout 6 mo
- BPT — Bachelor of Physiotherapy (4.5 years including a 6-month internship)about 4.5 yr
- Optional: MPT specialisation (sports, neuro, ortho); register as required under the NCAHP frameworkabout 1 yr
- First job: Physiotherapist in a hospital, rehab centre, sports team or clinicabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| NEET (UG) | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Once a year (usually May) |
| CUET (UG) | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Once a year (usually May–June) |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
Government colleges: roughly ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh per year
Private route
Private colleges: roughly ₹1–3 lakh per year
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
Pay grows with experience and specialisation; many physiotherapists later run their own clinics. No official salary series; check hospital and government recruitment notices.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You enjoy sport, movement and the human body
- You like seeing steady progress in people
- You are patient and encouraging
Maybe not, if…
- You dislike physical contact and hands-on work
- You want fast results rather than gradual recovery
Not sure yet? Take the Career Explorer quiz — 18 questions, answers stay on your device.
Start learning free
ROADMAP GENERATOR · PRIVATE · ON YOUR DEVICE
Where are you now, and where do you want to be?
Loading your dates…
Common questions
How do I become a Physiotherapist in India?
1. Class 9–10: science and an interest in sport or the human body 2. Class 11–12: Science with PCB 3. Entrance: state or university tests; some states use NEET (UG) scores 4. BPT — Bachelor of Physiotherapy (4.5 years including a 6-month internship) 5. Optional: MPT specialisation (sports, neuro, ortho); register as required under the NCAHP framework 6. First job: Physiotherapist in a hospital, rehab centre, sports team or clinic
Which entrance exams lead to a career as a Physiotherapist?
NEET (UG) (National Testing Agency (NTA)); CUET (UG) (National Testing Agency (NTA)). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become a Physiotherapist?
Science (PCB).
How long does it take to become a Physiotherapist?
4.5 years after Class 12
How much does it cost to become a Physiotherapist?
Government route: Government colleges: roughly ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh per year. Private route: Private colleges: roughly ₹1–3 lakh per year. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of a Physiotherapist in India?
Pay grows with experience and specialisation; many physiotherapists later run their own clinics. No official salary series; check hospital and government recruitment notices.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Physiotherapist: path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions · Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
NEET (UG) — National Testing Agency (NTA) · CUET (UG) — National Testing Agency (NTA)
IndiaDigital is an independent project and is not affiliated with any government department, ICAI or the GST Network.