The physiotherapy course duration in India is five years for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), and that includes a one-year compulsory rotatory internship. You may still see “4 years plus 6 months” on older pages, because the length was increased from four and a half years to five. This guide explains the current duration, what changed, the stages of the course year by year, and how long the internship and the master’s degree take, so you can plan the years ahead with the right numbers.
Physiotherapy Course Duration at a Glance
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT, also written B.PT) | 5 years, including a 1-year internship |
| Academic study within the BPT | 4 years |
| Compulsory rotatory internship | 1 year |
| Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) after the BPT | 2 years |
| Older BPT format | 4 years plus a 6-month internship, which is 4.5 years |
BPT Course Duration: Five Years From 2026-27
The University Grants Commission (UGC) notification of 27 August 2026 lists the Bachelor of Physiotherapy as a five-year degree with 10+2 as the entry qualification, and notes that the duration has been increased from 4½ years to 5 years. The same list gives the Master of Physiotherapy as a two-year degree after a bachelor’s degree. You can read the notification on the UGC website.
This follows the competency-based curricula that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) launched in April 2025 for ten professions, physiotherapy among them. The NCAHP Chairperson said these curricula would be mandatory from 2026.
Universities now print the new length for the 2026-27 intake. Sigma University states “5 Years (including 1 year of Compulsory Rotatory Internship) from AY 2026-27”. PES University describes its BPT as 5 years, made up of four academic years and a one-year compulsory rotatory internship.
Why Some Websites Still Say 4.5 Years
Before the change, the degree was four academic years followed by a six-month internship, which makes four and a half years. Some university pages and blogs still carry that figure. If you see 4.5 years, check three things before you rely on it: the year of the page, the intake it applies to, and the university’s own admission notice. For a student joining in 2026-27 or later, plan for five years.
BPT Stages: Year by Year
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Apollo Healthcare Academy (AHA) runs for five years. Hands-on training in a real hospital grows every year.
| Year | Stage | Hands-On Share | What You Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Foundational Learning | 20% | Human anatomy, human physiology, biochemistry, fundamentals of exercise modalities, fundamentals of electro physical agents, psychology and sociology, communication skills |
| Year 2 | Clinical Exposure | 40% | Pathology and microbiology, pharmacology, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, biomechanics and kinesiology, emergency care and life support skills, Clinical Training I |
| Year 3 | Advanced Specialisation | 60% | General medicine and paediatrics, general surgery, orthopaedics, physiotherapy in adult and paediatric medical, surgical and orthopaedic conditions, physical and functional diagnosis and prescription, Clinical Training II |
| Year 4 | Internship and Hospital Residency | 100% | Neurology, psychiatry and neurosurgery, cardiothoracic diseases and surgeries, sports physiotherapy and exercise prescription, community physiotherapy and rehabilitation, advanced clinical training, physiotherapy in special populations |
| Year 5 | Internship | 100% | Compulsory rotatory clinical internship and a research project or dissertation |
Students train in Apollo hospital settings. The partner hospitals page lists where.
Physiotherapy Internship: Length and Rules
The internship is a compulsory rotatory internship of one year. Rotatory means you spend time in several clinical areas instead of one department. At PES University it is full time and follows successful completion of all four academic years, and up to four months of it may be completed as an externship in an institute approved by the State Council. At AHA the fifth year is the compulsory rotatory clinical internship, together with a research project or dissertation.
Because rules differ between universities, ask the university for its internship schedule, the hospitals where you will rotate, and whether the internship fee is charged separately.
Eligibility for the BPT
The UGC list sets the degree at five years, but entry rules are set by each university. At AHA you need 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognised board, and you must be 17 years old on 31 December of the year of admission. Students with a PCM background who take Biology as a supplementary course are also eligible. Sigma University asks for 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology and an age of 17 on the date of admission. Some universities admit through a state admission committee, so read the notice of the university you want.
Physiotherapy Course Duration After BPT
The Master of Physiotherapy takes two years after the BPT. The UGC list names MPT degrees in musculoskeletal sciences, neuro sciences, cardio-pulmonary sciences, sports sciences, paediatrics and neonatal sciences, obstetrics and gynaecology, oncology sciences and community rehabilitation sciences. Counting the five-year BPT and the two-year MPT, the full route to a master’s takes seven years.
Planning the Cost Over Five Years
The tuition fee for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy at AHA is ₹2.5 lakh per annum. Because the course is five years long, compare colleges on the total cost over all five years, including the internship year. Our guide to physiotherapy course fees explains what the fee covers and what to ask before you pay. Merit scholarships of 10% to 25% are available under the slabs on the scholarship page, until 10% of the intake is filled.
Plan Your Five Years at Apollo Healthcare Academy
If you are ready to start, read the full Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme page and follow the steps on the admissions page. Browse every course on the programmes page.
FAQs
How Many Years Is the Physiotherapy Course in India?
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) is five years, including a one-year compulsory rotatory internship. The UGC notification of 27 August 2026 lists the degree at five years and notes the duration was increased from 4½ years.
What Is the BPT Course Duration Including Internship?
Five years in total: four academic years and a one-year internship. The master’s degree (MPT) adds two more years.
Why Do Some Websites Say the BPT Is 4.5 Years?
The earlier format was four academic years plus a six-month internship, which makes four and a half years. Some pages still show it. For a student joining in 2026-27 or later, plan for five years and check the university’s own admission notice.
How Long Is the Physiotherapy Internship?
The compulsory rotatory internship is one year. At PES University it follows the four academic years and is full time, and up to four months may be done as an externship in an institute approved by the State Council. At Apollo Healthcare Academy the fifth year is the compulsory rotatory clinical internship with a research project or dissertation.
How Many Years Is the BPT at Apollo Healthcare Academy?
Five years. Hands-on training is 20% in year 1, 40% in year 2, 60% in year 3 and 100% in years 4 and 5. You can read the full structure on the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme page.
How Many Years Does It Take to Complete Physiotherapy With a Master’s Degree?
Seven years: five years for the BPT and two years for the Master of Physiotherapy (MPT).
What Is the Eligibility for BPT After 12th?
At Apollo Healthcare Academy you need 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and at least 50% aggregate marks, and you must be 17 years old on 31 December of the year of admission. Students from the PCM stream who take Biology as a supplementary course are also eligible. Other universities set their own rules, so read their notices.
Is NEET Required for Physiotherapy?
It depends on the university and the state. Our programme page lists 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and at least 50% marks, and it does not mention NEET. Some universities admit through a state admission committee, so check the notice of each university you apply to.
Is Physiotherapy a Doctor’s Degree?
No. The BPT is a bachelor’s degree in an allied health profession, and it is a different degree from the MBBS.
What Is the Total Fee for the BPT at Apollo Healthcare Academy?
The tuition fee is ₹2.5 lakh per annum. The programme page gives an annual figure and does not state a programme total, so ask for the year-wise fee schedule, including the internship year, before you decide. Our guide to physiotherapy course fees explains what to ask.
