UGC Revises Allied Healthcare Degree Nomenclature 2026-27 UGC Revises Allied Healthcare Degree Nomenclature from 2026-27: New M.PT, M.OT Specialisations & More ========================================================================================================= September 20, 2026 UGC has revised allied healthcare degree nomenclature from 2026-27. Check new M.PT and M.OT specialisations, updated allied health degrees, eligibility changes, and what the revised rules mean for students admitted from the 2026-27 academic session. ![Nomenclature](https://cdn.campusraja.com/68/conversions/01M2ZPC7MG7JE82QV8P53SX1NM-hero.webp) Nomenclature The University Grants Commission (UGC) has revised the nomenclature of several undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the allied healthcare sector. The revised degree names will be applicable from the academic year 2026-27. The changes were notified through the Gazette of India on August 27, 2026, following approval by the Central Government. The revised nomenclature aims to provide greater clarity about the specific area of study or specialisation represented by an allied healthcare qualification. **UGC Revises Allied Healthcare Degree Names for 2026-27** Under the revised UGC regulations, several allied healthcare programmes will receive updated degree nomenclature from the 2026-27 academic session. One of the key changes concerns Master of Physiotherapy (M.PT) and Master of Occupational Therapy (M.OT). These programmes will no longer be awarded simply as general degrees for students admitted from the 2026-27 academic year. Instead, degrees will specify the relevant specialisation or area of practice. Students who were admitted to these programmes before the 2026-27 academic session will continue to receive their qualifications under the degree nomenclature and regulations applicable at the time of their admission. **New Specialisations Under Master of Occupational Therapy (M.OT)** The revised nomenclature provides for multiple specialisations under the Master of Occupational Therapy (M.OT) programme. These include: - Musculoskeletal Sciences - Paediatrics and Neonatology - Neurosciences - Mental Health - Rehabilitation - Geriatrics - Hand and Oncological Sciences - Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Sciences - Sports Sciences - Paediatrics and Neonatal Sciences - Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sciences - Community Rehabilitation Sciences The introduction of specialised nomenclature is intended to clearly identify the academic and professional area in which a student has completed postgraduate training. **Changes to Master of Physiotherapy (M.PT)** The revised framework also changes the nomenclature associated with Master of Physiotherapy (M.PT) programmes. Instead of treating the qualification as a broad postgraduate degree, the revised approach identifies the relevant area of specialisation in the degree awarded to eligible students admitted under the new regulations. This provides universities and students with a more specific way of representing postgraduate training in physiotherapy. Other Allied Healthcare Degrees Included in the Revised List The UGC notification covers several other allied healthcare qualifications at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some of the specified degrees include: **Undergraduate Degrees** - Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS) - Bachelor of Emergency Medical Technologist (B.EMT) - Bachelor of Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology (B.AOTT) - Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (B.Sc. HIM) **Postgraduate Degrees** - Master of Medical Laboratory Science (M.MLS) - Master of Advance Care Paramedics (M.ACP) - Master of Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology (M.AOTT) - Master of Science in Health Information Management (M.Sc. HIM) - Master of Respiratory Technology in Neonatal and Paediatric Respiratory Care The revised list also covers qualifications related to several other allied healthcare disciplines. Allied Healthcare Fields Covered Under the Revised Nomenclature The updated degree nomenclature extends across a broad range of healthcare and allied health disciplines, including: - Nutrition and Dietetics - Psychology - Medical and Psychiatric Social Work - Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology - Radiation Therapy Technology - Nuclear Medicine Technology - Medical Physics - Physician Associates - Dialysis Therapy - Respiratory Technology - Health Information Management These changes reflect the growing range of specialised roles within the modern healthcare system. **Why Has UGC Revised the Degree Nomenclature?** The revised nomenclature is intended to make allied healthcare qualifications more specific and transparent. A degree title that identifies a particular specialisation can provide clearer information about: - The student's area of academic training - The specific healthcare discipline studied - The professional area of specialisation - The nature of postgraduate education completed - The qualification represented by the degree certificate This can also help institutions and other stakeholders better understand the academic background of allied healthcare graduates and postgraduates. **Who Will Be Covered by the New Rules?** The revised degree nomenclature will apply to students admitted from the academic year 2026-27 onwards. Students who were admitted before the 2026-27 academic session will continue to be governed by the regulations and degree nomenclature that were applicable when they joined their respective programmes. Therefore, the revised names will not retrospectively change the qualifications of students admitted under the earlier regulations. **UGC's Legal Framework for the Revised Degrees** The changes form part of the fifth amendment to the UGC notification of 2014 concerning the specification of degrees under Section 22(3) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. The notification provides the regulatory framework for recognising and specifying the nomenclature of various degrees awarded by higher education institutions. **What Does the Change Mean for Students?** Students planning to pursue allied healthcare courses from the 2026-27 academic session should carefully check the updated degree nomenclature before applying. In particular, candidates considering programmes such as M.PT, M.OT, Medical Laboratory Science, Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology, Respiratory Technology and Health Information Management should verify the exact degree title and specialisation offered by their institution. The degree awarded after completion of the programme may now contain a specific specialisation rather than only a general programme name. **Conclusion** The UGC's revised allied healthcare degree nomenclature marks an important update for students entering these programmes from the 2026-27 academic session. The changes introduce greater specificity in qualifications such as Master of Physiotherapy (M.PT) and Master of Occupational Therapy (M.OT) while also updating the nomenclature of several other allied healthcare degrees. Students should check the latest UGC regulations and their university's programme details before admission to understand the applicable degree title and specialisation. **Frequently Asked Questions** **When will the revised UGC allied healthcare degree nomenclature apply?** The revised nomenclature will apply to students admitted from the 2026-27 academic session. **Will students admitted before 2026-27 be affected?** No. Students admitted under the earlier regulations will continue to be covered by the provisions and degree nomenclature applicable at the time of their admission. **Will M.PT and M.OT remain general degrees?** For students admitted from 2026-27, the revised nomenclature provides for specialised degree titles rather than awarding these qualifications simply as general degrees. **What M.OT specialisations are included?** The revised list includes areas such as musculoskeletal sciences, paediatrics and neonatology, neurosciences, mental health, rehabilitation, geriatrics, sports sciences and community rehabilitation sciences, among others. **Which other allied healthcare degrees are covered?** The revised list includes qualifications in medical laboratory science, emergency medical technology, anaesthesia and operation theatre technology, health information management, respiratory technology and several other allied healthcare disciplines.