About Bachelor of Occupational Therapy [BOT]
Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE) at Kelambakkam, Chennai, offers the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, a programme spanning 4 academic years and a 1-year mandatory internship. Admission is merit-based on Class 12 marks and no entrance exam is required. Annual fees are INR 4.5 Lakhs. Ranked NIRF Medical 49 in 2025, CARE provides clinical training at Chettinad Health City, one of Chennai’s largest integrated hospital campuses.
📋 Admission Status: Applications are currently open. Last date to apply is August 2026 (Tentative).
CARE BOT Fees 2026
| Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Annual Tuition Fee (per year, 4 academic years) | INR 4.5 Lakhs |
| Hostel Fee (optional, per year) | INR 1 Lakh |
| Total Fees (4 years, excluding hostel and internship) | INR 18 Lakhs |
- Internship year fees, if applicable, are notified separately by the university.
- Hostel charges are optional and are not included in the INR 18 Lakhs total above.
- Merit scholarships based on Class 12 marks can significantly reduce annual fee burden.
CARE BOT Admission 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | May 2026 |
| Merit List Declaration | August 2026 |
- Apply online at admission.care.edu.in with Class 12 mark sheet and relevant documents.
- NEET is not required for BOT admission at CARE in the 2026-27 cycle.
- CARE fills seats directly as a deemed university without state-level counselling.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Passed Class 12 from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects.
- English as a compulsory subject in the qualifying examination.
- Candidates appearing in Class 12 board examination may apply provisionally pending results.
- Must register as an Occupational Therapist with the state council after degree completion.
Admission Process
- Register and apply online at the CARE admissions portal at admission.care.edu.in.
- Upload Class 12 mark sheet and other required documents during the online application.
- CARE prepares a merit list based on aggregate Class 12 marks in eligible subjects.
- Shortlisted candidates receive an admission offer and must confirm acceptance within the deadline.
- Complete fee payment and document verification to finalise the enrolment at the campus.
✓ Opt for this if
- You want BOT training at a NIRF Medical ranked deemed university in Chennai.
- You prefer merit-based admission without a national entrance examination for OT.
- You aim for hospital-based occupational therapy roles in rehabilitation departments.
- You value on-campus hospital access for internship training in neurological and orthopaedic OT.
✗ Skip if
- INR 18 Lakhs over 4 years exceeds your budget for occupational therapy.
- You prefer a government medical college BOT seat with subsidised fee structure.
- You want a NIRF-ranked occupational therapy programme with published placement data.
CARE BOT Scholarships 2026
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Merit Scholarship (91% and above) | Full tuition waiver | 91% or above in Class 12 qualifying examination |
| Merit Scholarship (76% to 90%) | 75% tuition waiver | 76% to 90% aggregate in Class 12 |
| Merit Scholarship (61% to 75%) | 50% tuition waiver | 61% to 75% aggregate in Class 12 |
| Merit Scholarship (51% to 60%) | 25% tuition waiver | 51% to 60% aggregate in Class 12 |
- Scholarship renewal each year is contingent on academic performance in the BOT programme.
- Apply for scholarship at the time of admission through the CARE university portal.
According to an external review site Ranking 2025, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education ranks 416 out of 632 colleges in India and 41 in state Tamil Nadu for its BOT program.
- 20 out of 20 under India Today Medical Ranking 2025.
- 33 out of 44 under The Week Medical Ranking 2025.
- 49 out of 50 under NIRF Medical Ranking 2025.
- 25 out of 57 under IIRF Medical Ranking 2025.
- 10 out of 28 under Outlook Medical Ranking 2024.
Read more on Chettinad Academy of Research and Education Rankings here
CARE BOT FAQs
Ques. What is the total fee for BOT at CARE Kelambakkam?
Ans. The total programme fee for BOT at CARE Kelambakkam is INR 18 Lakhs for the 4 academic years at INR 4.5 Lakhs per year. The subsequent 1-year mandatory internship may carry additional fees notified separately by the university. Hostel charges of INR 1 Lakh per year are optional. Merit scholarships can reduce fees to as low as INR 1.125 Lakhs per year for students with 91% or above in Class 12.
Ques. Is NEET required for BOT admission at CARE in 2026?
Ans. No, NEET is not required for BOT admission at CARE Kelambakkam in the 2026-27 cycle. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions deferred the mandatory NEET requirement for occupational therapy programmes. Admission is based on Class 12 merit. Candidates should verify the NEET requirement status for future cycles, as the regulatory framework for allied health admissions continues to evolve across India.
Ques. What is the difference between BOT and BPT?
Ans. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy focuses on helping patients regain functional independence in daily living, work, and social participation through purposeful activity. Bachelor of Physiotherapy focuses on physical rehabilitation through movement, exercise, and manual therapy. OT practitioners work with neurological, psychiatric, paediatric, and elderly patients to restore daily function. Physiotherapists focus more on pain management, mobility, and physical function recovery after injury or illness. Both are clinical degrees with hospital-based internship components.
Ques. What career options are available after BOT from CARE?
Ans. BOT graduates from CARE can work as occupational therapists in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools for children with special needs, psychiatric facilities, community health programmes, and elderly care homes. Career opportunities also exist in vocational rehabilitation for persons with disability and in corporate ergonomics consulting. Post-graduate specialisation through M.Sc OT or MOT is an option for those seeking advanced clinical or academic roles.
Ques. How is clinical training structured for BOT students at CARE?
Ans. BOT students at CARE undertake clinical training at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, which is located within the Chettinad Health City campus. Clinical postings begin in the early years of the programme across departments such as neurology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, and psychiatry. The programme concludes with a 1-year mandatory internship that rotates students through multiple clinical and community settings before the degree is awarded.
Ques. Is BOT at CARE recognised by the relevant regulatory authority?
Ans. CARE is a deemed-to-be university established under the UGC Act with NAAC A++ accreditation. The BOT programme follows the curriculum standards recommended by the Rehabilitation Council of India, which is the statutory body regulating occupational therapy education in India. Graduates must register with the Rehabilitation Council of India to practise as occupational therapists and use the professional title after completing the degree and internship.