AIIMS BPT Entrance Exam
Complete preparation guide for AIIMS Bachelor of Physiotherapy — India's most prestigious physiotherapy entrance
Exam at a glance
Conducting body
AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) — multiple campuses
Total marks
200 marks (200 MCQs × 1 mark each, -1/3 negative marking)
Duration
3.5 hours (Computer-Based Test)
Mode
Computer-Based Test (CBT) at designated AIIMS centres
Frequency
Annual (usually May–June, same window as AIIMS Nursing)
Eligibility
10+2 PCB with 55% aggregate (50% for SC/ST); age 17–25 years
Total applicants
~25,000–40,000 applicants for ~200 seats across AIIMS campuses
Accepting institutions
AIIMS New Delhi, Bhopal, Jodhpur, Patna, Rishikesh, Bhubaneswar (BPT programme where available)
Exam sections — what each tests
Biology
MCQ80 questions80 marksPhysics
MCQ40 questions40 marksChemistry
MCQ40 questions40 marksGeneral Knowledge
MCQ20 questions20 marksPhysiotherapy Aptitude
Aptitude20 questions20 marksTop physiotherapy colleges and admission patterns
AIIMS New Delhi — Department of Physiotherapy
New Delhi
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) — 4.5-year programme including 6-month internship
India's top physiotherapy programme. Clinical exposure across AIIMS New Delhi's 2,500-bed hospital with specialised departments (neurology, orthopaedics, cardiology, paediatrics). Sports physiotherapy at AIIMS linked to SAI and national sports bodies. Graduates are recruited by national sports teams, Apollo, Fortis, and international employers (NHS UK Physiotherapy).
AIIMS Bhopal — Department of Physiotherapy
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) — 4.5-year programme
Strong central India placement network. AIIMS Bhopal's physiotherapy department is growing rapidly with new neurological rehabilitation and paediatric physiotherapy units. State government hospital network in MP provides direct employment to AIIMS-trained physiotherapists at higher pay grades.
Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences
Manipal, Karnataka
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) — 4.5-year programme
Largest private BPT programme in India. Manipal BPT has direct international recognition in Australia (AHPRA) and the Middle East. MET (Manipal Entrance Test) is the admission route. Strong clinical training at Kasturba Hospital (2,032 beds). Good for candidates targeting sports physiotherapy — Manipal's proximity to Bengaluru's IPL/ISL sports ecosystem creates practical exposure.
D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy
Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) — 4.5-year programme
Maharashtra's strongest private physiotherapy programme. D.Y. Patil University hospital provides 1,000+ bed clinical exposure. Close to Mumbai's sports and entertainment industry — graduates work with Mumbai Indians, Mumbai FC, and Bollywood production companies on injury rehabilitation. MHT-CET plus institutional counselling for admission.
Preparation timeline
PCB Foundation
3–4 monthsComplete NCERT Class 11 and 12 for Biology, Physics, Chemistry
- ✓Master human anatomy chapters: locomotion & movement, neural control (Class 11)
- ✓Complete musculoskeletal physiology: neuromuscular junction, sarcomere contraction
- ✓Study Physics Class 12: electricity (electrotherapy basis), waves (ultrasound basis), mechanics (biomechanics)
- ✓Cover Chemistry biomolecules, acids/bases, and electrochemistry from NCERT
- ✓Build anatomy flashcards: bones, joints, major muscles (origin, insertion, action)
Physiotherapy Context Building
4 weeks (parallel)Build basic understanding of physiotherapy as a profession for aptitude section and interview
- ✓Read an introduction to physiotherapy textbook: Tidy's Physiotherapy (first 3 chapters)
- ✓Understand the 5 main physiotherapy specialities: ortho, neuro, cardio-pulmonary, paediatric, sports
- ✓Study basic electrotherapy: TENS, ultrasound, laser — physics behind each
- ✓Learn gait cycle stages and normal vs abnormal gait patterns
- ✓Study sports injury types: sprains, strains, RICE protocol, return-to-sport criteria
GK and Mock Tests
6 weeksHealthcare GK and full-length mock test practice
- ✓Memorise all national health schemes: NHM, PMJAY, Mission Indradhanush, AMRIT
- ✓Study WHO Rehabilitation 2030 initiative and India's National Policy for Persons with Disabilities
- ✓Know India's major sports bodies: SAI, BCCI, Hockey India, national coaching centres
- ✓Take one full 200-question mock every 3 days; target 130+ score before last 2 weeks
- ✓Track chapter-wise accuracy; Biology human physiology should be >80% before exam
Final Revision
2 weeksConsolidation and exam-day readiness
- ✓Review anatomy flashcards daily: all 206 bones, major joints, key muscle groups
- ✓Revise NCERT diagrams: neuromuscular junction, sarcomere, joint types
- ✓Final GK refresh: check Health Ministry and SAI announcements from last 30 days
- ✓Confirm exam centre location and travel plan for exam day
- ✓Sleep 8 hours and maintain stable nutrition — cognitive stamina for 200 questions
Career paths in physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Clinical Physiotherapist (Hospital)
Rs 30,000–55,000/month (government); Rs 25,000–50,000 (private)
Government hospital physiotherapists work at 7th Pay Commission Level 6–7 with increments, HRA, and medical benefits. AIIMS-trained physiotherapists are preferred for senior positions at central government institutes. Private hospital physiotherapists at Apollo, Fortis, and Max earn Rs 30,000–60,000 with faster progression to Senior Physiotherapist roles.
Sports Physiotherapist
Rs 40,000–1,00,000/month (IPL/ISL clubs pay significantly higher)
India's professional sports leagues (IPL, ISL, Pro Kabaddi, PBL) employ team physiotherapists at Rs 80,000–3,00,000/month with travel allowances and performance bonuses. National sports team physiotherapists (appointed by SAI) earn Rs 60,000–1,20,000 plus travel abroad. AIIMS BPT significantly differentiates candidates for sports physiotherapy positions.
International Registered Physiotherapist
AUD 65,000–85,000/year (Australia); CAD 60,000–80,000/year (Canada)
AIIMS BPT qualifies for AHPRA registration (Australia) after English test and assessment. Australian healthcare system has 3,000+ physiotherapy vacancies filled by Indian-trained graduates annually. Canada processes Indian physiotherapists through College of Physiotherapists provincial registration. UK NHS (NHS-affiliated physiotherapy) recognises HCPC equivalent Indian qualifications.
Neurological Rehabilitation Specialist
Rs 50,000–90,000/month (speciality hospitals)
Neurological physiotherapy is the highest-growth specialisation following India's ageing population. Stroke rehabilitation, Parkinson's management, spinal cord injury programmes at NIMHANS, BM Birla, and Kokilaben hospitals pay premium for neurologically trained physiotherapists. Post-graduate MScPT (Neurology) from KEM Mumbai, NIMHANS, or internationally is the fast track.
Private Clinic / Physiotherapy Entrepreneur
Rs 60,000–2,00,000/month (own clinic, metropolitan)
Physiotherapy clinics in metro cities with good location and strong referral network from orthopaedic surgeons earn Rs 1–5 lakh/month after 2–3 years. AIIMS-brand physiotherapists command higher patient trust and referral rates. Corporate physiotherapy (visiting company offices for employee wellness) is a growing B2B income stream for private practitioners.
Common mistakes that cost you a seat
Treating AIIMS BPT like a less important exam than NEET MBBS — the entrance difficulty, pattern, and negative marking are identical; AIIMS BPT requires full NEET-level PCB preparation.
Ignoring the physiotherapy aptitude section as too small to matter — 20 marks can separate a successful admission from a missed cutoff; study basic physiotherapy ethics and patient safety scenarios.
Not applying to state physiotherapy entrances simultaneously — Maharashtra MHT-CET, Karnataka CET, and Tamil Nadu TNEA accept PCB scores for BPT; applying to all eligible state entrances maximises your chances.
Choosing physiotherapy without researching the hands-on clinical commitment — BPT requires 4.5 years of full-time study with significant practical and internship components; career success requires comfort with physical patient care.
Assuming physiotherapy is a lower-tier alternative to MBBS — internationally, physiotherapists in Australia and Canada earn comparable or higher lifetime earnings than Indian GPs; the ceiling is significantly higher than the Indian domestic market suggests.
Not considering the post-BPT MPT specialisation — a 2-year MPT in Sports, Neurology, or Musculoskeletal significantly multiplies earning potential and international registration success.
Frequently asked questions
Is NEET required for BPT admission in India?
NEET UG score is not mandatory for BPT in most states — states typically use NEET UG as a merit basis only for MBBS/BDS. BPT admissions typically use state-specific CET scores (Maharashtra MHT-CET, Karnataka CET) or institutional tests (AIIMS BPT entrance, Manipal MET). However, some states have started using NEET UG scores for allied health science admissions including BPT — check the current year's notification for each state.
What is the difference between BPT and MPT?
BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) is the 4.5-year entry-level degree (including 6-month internship) that makes you a registered physiotherapist. MPT (Master of Physiotherapy) is a 2-year specialisation (Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Cardiopulmonary, Sports, Paediatrics, Community Rehabilitation) that significantly increases your clinical depth and earning potential. For sports physiotherapy and international registration in Australia, MPT is strongly recommended.
Can physiotherapists prescribe medicines in India?
No — physiotherapists in India cannot prescribe medication (this requires MBBS/MD registration). Physiotherapists can prescribe physiotherapy interventions: exercise programmes, electrotherapy modalities, manual therapy, hydrotherapy, and orthotics/prosthetics within their scope. Some states have considered expanding the scope of practice; Australia and the UK already allow physiotherapists to prescribe certain medications after post-graduate training.
How is physiotherapy different from Occupational Therapy?
Physiotherapy primarily addresses physical rehabilitation — restoring movement, strength, and function after injury or illness. Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on enabling patients to perform daily activities (ADLs) — cooking, dressing, writing — especially for neurological and developmental conditions. Both are 4.5-year BPT/BOT degrees, and both are distinct from physiotherapy in focus. In practice, they often work in the same rehabilitation teams but with different patient goals.
What is the scope for sports physiotherapy in India with the rise of IPL and ISL?
India's professional sports league ecosystem now employs 200+ team physiotherapists across IPL (10 teams), ISL (12 teams), Pro Kabaddi League (12 teams), and Premier Badminton League. Each IPL team employs 2–3 physiotherapists including a Head Physiotherapist (Rs 80,000–3,00,000/month). National sports teams (cricket, hockey, wrestling, boxing) employ government-appointed SAI physiotherapists. This sector grew 300% in the last decade and continues expanding with new leagues (WPL, LBL).
Get coached by someone who has cleared AIIMS BPT and practises at a top hospital or sports academy
Science students (PCB) with 55%+ in Class 12 who want India's strongest physiotherapy credential. Particularly valuable for aspirants targeting sports physiotherapy, neurological rehabilitation, or international physiotherapy practice (Australia, UK, Canada all actively recruit Indian BPT graduates).