🔬 Allied Health Sciences
PUC Science · after SSLC (Class 10)
Duration
3–4 Years (incl. internship)
Entrance Exam
NEET UG (mandatory for notified courses from AY 2026-27)
Degree
B.Sc (MLT / Radiology / Optometry etc.)
Job Roles
9 mapped
Who can apply
Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Course-specific minimums are set by each university.
The journey, step by step
SSLC through to leadership.
Your route
- Class 10SSLC
- PUC Science2 years
- B.Sc (MLT / Radiology / Optometry etc.)3–4 Years (incl. internship)
- Medical Lab Technologistfirst job
- 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 SSLC — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
- 2Stream Selection · 2 Years🔬 PUC — ScienceTwo years of pre-university study in the Science stream. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
- 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 NEET UG (mandatory for notified courses from AY 2026-27)Entry to B.Sc (MLT / Radiology / Optometry etc.) is through NEET UG (mandatory for notified courses from AY 2026-27). NEET UG is run by National Testing Agency (NTA) and leads to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, B.Sc Nursing and notified allied health courses. Dates change every year — always confirm on the conducting authority's official portal.
- 4Degree · 3–4 Years (incl. internship)📘 B.Sc (MLT / Radiology / Optometry etc.)Allied Health Sciences: 3–4 Years (incl. internship). You can specialise in Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiology & Imaging Technology, Optometry, Audiology & Speech Language Pathology and more.
- 5First Job · After graduating💼 Medical Lab TechnologistCommon starting roles include Medical Lab Technologist, Radiographer / Imaging Technologist, Optometrist.
- 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 M.Sc Allied Health (2Y)You can continue with M.Sc Allied Health (2Y), PhD, Specialist certifications.
- 7Research · 3–5 Years for a PhD🔬 M.Sc → PhD in allied healthM.Sc → PhD in allied health · Clinical research associate roles · Diagnostics R&D
- 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ Govt hospital technologistGovt hospital technologist · ESIC / Railway technician posts · AIIMS technical cadre · District hospital lab services
- 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Diagnostic laboratoryDiagnostic laboratory · Optical store / vision centre · Imaging or dialysis centre
- 10Leadership · Long term⭐ Chief TechnologistChief Technologist · Laboratory Director · Allied Health Programme Head
Entrance exams & admission
NEET UG (mandatory for notified courses from AY 2026-27)
NCAHP has notified competency-based curricula for 17 allied courses from 2026-27, and NEET UG is being made the entrance for several of them (physiotherapy and occupational therapy were deferred to 2027-28), including Medical Lab Technology, Radiology & Imaging, Optometry, Dialysis and Operation Theatre Technology. Apply for NEET at neet.nta.nic.in, and check the current notified list at ncahp.gov.in before applying, since the list is still being extended.
Check exam details and official portals →What it costs to get there
Indicative total tuition for the whole course in Karnataka
Government seat
₹60,000–1.5L
about ₹26,250 a year
Private / management seat
₹2–6L
about ₹1L a year
Tuition for the full degree. Costs vary widely by specialisation — imaging and optometry programmes usually cost more than laboratory technology.
Fees change every year and differ by college — confirm with the college before paying. Scholarships can cover much of this.
Job roles and salary ranges
Salary figures are indicative annual ranges, not guarantees.
What you can do next
- M.Sc Allied Health (2Y)
- PhD
- Specialist certifications
Any graduate can also go for: Defence Services via CDS · Chartered Accountancy · Banking & Finance · Cost & Management Accountancy (CMA) · Civil Services (IAS/IPS) · Law (LLB) · Teaching — B.Ed and D.El.Ed · Physical Education & Sports (BPES / B.P.Ed)
Research routes
- ›M.Sc → PhD in allied health
- ›Clinical research associate roles
- ›Diagnostics R&D
Government jobs
- ›Govt hospital technologist
- ›ESIC / Railway technician posts
- ›AIIMS technical cadre
- ›District hospital lab services
Start your own
- ›Diagnostic laboratory
- ›Optical store / vision centre
- ›Imaging or dialysis centre
Senior roles later
- ›Chief Technologist
- ›Laboratory Director
- ›Allied Health Programme Head
Specialisations
- ›Medical Laboratory Technology
- ›Radiology & Imaging Technology
- ›Optometry
- ›Audiology & Speech Language Pathology
- ›Dialysis Technology
- ›Respiratory Therapy
- ›Emergency Medicine Technology
- ›Operation Theatre Technology
- ›Anaesthesia Technology
Where it is taught
- ›Manipal College of Health Professions
- ›CMC Vellore
- ›AIIMS New Delhi
- ›JSS Mysuru
Where these facts come from
National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act 2021; NEET UG becomes mandatory for notified allied courses from AY 2026-27
Find a college for this course
Explore the directory, then confirm eligibility, fees and available seats with the college.
Browse colleges →