AIIMS Speech-Language Pathology Entrance Guide
BASLP at AIIMS and Premier Allied Health Institutions
Exam at a glance
Conducting body
AIIMS New Delhi (Allied Health Sciences)
Total marks
200 (Biology 80 + Physics 40 + Chemistry 40 + GK 20 + Allied Health Aptitude 20)
Duration
2 hours (CBT)
Mode
Online CBT at AIIMS examination centres
Frequency
Annual (June exam; admissions August–September)
Eligibility
10+2 PCB, minimum 55% aggregate (50% SC/ST/OBC-NCL), 17+ years by December 31
Total applicants
20,000–30,000 (across all AIIMS Allied Health Sciences programmes)
Accepting institutions
AIIMS New Delhi, AIIMS Bhopal, AYJNIHH Kolkata, AIISH Mysuru (~30–50 BASLP seats)
Exam sections — what each tests
Biology
MCQ80 questions80 marksPhysics
MCQ40 questions40 marksChemistry
MCQ40 questions40 marksGeneral Knowledge
Objective20 questions20 marksAllied Health Aptitude
Aptitude20 questions20 marksTop SLP and audiology colleges and admission patterns
AIIMS New Delhi — Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
New Delhi
BASLP (4.5 years including 6-month internship)
AIIMS Allied Health Sciences entrance; India's most competitive BASLP programme. Clinical training across neurology (aphasia, dysarthria), ENT (hearing loss, cochlear implant rehabilitation), paediatrics (language delay, autism), and psychiatry (selective mutism). Graduates have near-100% placement in AIIMS affiliated hospitals and private speech therapy centres.
AIISH — Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing
Mysuru, Karnataka (headquarter); Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Secunderabad (regional centres)
BASLP; MASLP (Master of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology)
AIISH entrance exam (separate from AIIMS); government institution under Ministry of Social Justice. India's oldest and most specialised SLP institution. Clinical training through dedicated speech and hearing clinics. ASHA International Affiliate status enables international recognition.
AYJNIHH — Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped
Mumbai, Maharashtra (with regional centres in Kolkata, Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad)
BASLP; postgraduate diploma in audiology/SLP
AYJNIHH national entrance; Ministry of Social Justice institution. Government fees (~Rs 20,000/year); strong community rehabilitation and school hearing programme exposure. Excellent for public health audiology and cochlear implant programme careers.
Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences
Manipal, Karnataka
BASLP; MASLP
Manipal MET Allied Health; Rs 2–3 lakh/year. NAAC A+ institution; clinical training through Kasturba Medical College and Hospital. Strong research output; ASHA membership encouraged for international career pathway. Good for private SLP practice and international migration to UK/Australia/Canada.
Preparation timeline
Foundation Phase
Months 1–5NCERT Biology with emphasis on nervous system and ear anatomy — the SLP-relevant biology
- ✓NCERT Biology: nervous system, ear anatomy, and brain regions highlighted and memorised
- ✓Physics: waves and sound chapter mastered — sound frequency, wavelength, decibel concepts
- ✓Chemistry: biomolecules chapter complete; organic fundamentals revised
- ✓SLP awareness: ASHA scope of practice and language milestones read
Practice Phase
Months 6–9Allied Health MCQ practice and AIIMS/AYJNIHH PYQ analysis
- ✓5,000+ Biology MCQs solved with nervous system and ear emphasis
- ✓AIIMS Allied Health PYQ (2019–2024) fully solved and reviewed
- ✓Allied Health Aptitude: ASHA and AIISH introductory SLP materials read
- ✓Health policy current affairs: RPWD 2016 summary and NPPCD programme reviewed
Mock Test Phase
Months 10–11Full-length Allied Health mock tests (2 hours, 200M format)
- ✓20+ full-length mocks with Biology score consistently 65+/80
- ✓Physics waves and sound MCQs: 90%+ accuracy
- ✓GK: last 12 months health, disability, and education current affairs reviewed
- ✓AYJNIHH and AIISH separate entrance requirements researched and applied for simultaneously
Multi-Institution Application Phase
Post-exam (July–September)Simultaneous AIIMS, AIISH, AYJNIHH, and private college counsellings
- ✓AIIMS Allied Health seat allotment monitored (BASLP preference in programme list)
- ✓AIISH and AYJNIHH separate applications filed in advance of their exam dates
- ✓Manipal MET Allied Health registered as backup
- ✓Document checklist prepared: 10+2 certificate, scorecard, category certificate
Career paths in speech-language pathology and audiology
Hospital-Based SLP (Neurology/ENT)
Rs 35,000–90,000/month
AIIMS SLP graduates placed in neurology and ENT departments at tertiary hospitals earn Rs 60,000+ starting. Senior SLP with aphasia/dysarthria specialisation at Apollo, Fortis, or AIIMS-affiliated hospitals reaches Rs 1.5–2.5 lakh/month with 8–10 years experience and MASLP qualification.
Paediatric SLP (Language and Fluency)
Rs 30,000–80,000/month
Childhood language delay, stuttering, and autism-related communication disorders drive the highest demand for private SLP practice. Urban paediatric SLP clinics charge Rs 1,500–3,500/session. Specialists with Lidcombe Programme (fluency) or DIR/Floortime (autism communication) certification earn 30–50% premium.
Audiology (Cochlear Implant Programme)
Rs 40,000–1,00,000/month
Cochlear implant surgery volume in India is growing at 20%+ annually. Post-implant auditory verbal therapy (AVT) requires specialised BASLP graduates. Government cochlear implant programmes (NPPCD/ADIP scheme) employ audiologists at government hospitals. Private cochlear implant programmes at Apollo, Manipal, and SRMC pay Rs 70,000–1.5 lakh/month for experienced audiologists.
International SLP (UK/Canada/Australia)
£28,000–42,000/year (UK NHS); CAD 65,000–85,000 (Canada)
UK, Canada, and Australia face severe SLP shortages. UK RCSLT and Canadian SAC both accept ASHA-recognised degrees (AIIMS, AIISH, Manipal qualify). NHS Band 5 SLP starts at £28,000 with rapid progression. Canada's SLP immigration pathway via Express Entry is among the most accessible for Indian allied health professionals.
Common mistakes that cost you a seat
Applying only to AIIMS and missing AYJNIHH and AIISH deadlines — both are government institutions with separate entrance exams running on different timelines; apply simultaneously to all three
Neglecting the waves and sound Physics chapter — uniquely relevant to SLP (acoustics, audiometry), it is the highest-yield Physics topic for this exam and for the career itself
Ignoring language development milestones in Allied Health Aptitude preparation — examinees who cannot recall normal milestone windows (first words, two-word phrases, sentences) miss predictable Allied Health Aptitude marks
Confusing audiology with SLP in the career description — audiology focuses on hearing assessment and hearing aids/implants; SLP focuses on speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders; most BASLP programmes cover both but the career tracks diverge post-graduation
Not verifying ASHA international recognition before choosing a private college — ASHA certification (CCSLP) requires a master's degree from an ASHA-CAA accredited programme; verify your undergraduate programme leads to a CCSLP-eligible postgraduate pathway
Frequently asked questions
What is BASLP and how long is the programme?
BASLP (Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology) is a 4.5-year undergraduate programme (4 years academics + 6-month supervised internship) that trains graduates to assess and treat speech, language, voice, fluency, and hearing disorders across the lifespan — from neonates to elderly patients. Regulated by RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India). Entry requires 10+2 PCB.
What NEET score is needed for BASLP admission?
AIIMS and AYJNIHH BASLP use their own Allied Health entrance exams — NEET is not the admission criterion. However, NCERT Biology and Physics preparation (especially nervous system and waves chapters) is directly applicable. For private deemed university BASLP (Manipal, SRM, SRIHER), NEET qualifying score is used as eligibility — typically any qualifying score (50th percentile) suffices.
What is the difference between Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology?
Audiology focuses on hearing: assessing hearing loss (audiometry), fitting hearing aids, managing cochlear implant rehabilitation, tinnitus management, and balance disorders. SLP focuses on communication: speech sound disorders, language delay, fluency disorders (stuttering), voice disorders, aphasia (language loss after stroke), dysphagia (swallowing disorders), and AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). BASLP trains graduates in both — most programmes split clinical hours between audiology and SLP rotations.
Can Indian SLP graduates work in the UK or Canada?
Yes, with additional steps. UK: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) requires a degree from a recognised institution (AIIMS and AIISH typically qualify) plus an English proficiency test (IELTS 7.5+) and HCPC registration. Canada: SAC (Speech-Language and Audiology Canada) requires a master's degree; BASLP is the entry qualification for Canadian SLP master's programmes. Australia: Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) requires AIIMS-level preparation; direct registration is possible for MASLP graduates from recognised institutions.
What is the RCI and why does it matter for BASLP?
RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) is the statutory body regulating all rehabilitation professions in India, including SLP and Audiology. RCI registration is mandatory for legal practice. RCI-approved BASLP programmes produce graduates eligible for registration; non-approved colleges leave graduates unable to practice legally. AIIMS, AYJNIHH, AIISH, Manipal, and SRIHER are all RCI-approved. Verify RCI approval before admission at any private college.
Get coached by someone who has cleared AIIMS Allied Health BASLP and practises as an SLP or audiologist
Class 12 PCB students drawn to communication sciences, language development, and neurological rehabilitation. Ideal for students interested in working with children who stutter, individuals with autism-related communication challenges, stroke patients with aphasia, and people with hearing loss.