Accepted entrance exams
About Bachelor of Occupational Therapy [BOT]
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Belagavi is a 4-year full-time undergraduate programme offered under the KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), a NAAC A++ accredited Deemed-to-be-University. The course is designed to train students in enabling individuals with physical, mental, or developmental challenges to perform daily activities independently, and is conducted at the KLE Institute of Physiotherapy, Belagavi campus. The total tuition fee for the programme is Rs. 4,40,000 (Rs. 1,10,000 per year), with a mandatory 6-month compulsory rotatory internship after the 4-year academic programme. Admission is merit-based on Class 12 PCB marks, and the primary entrance exam accepted is the KAHER All India Entrance Test (KAHER-AIET). The programme is popular for its strong clinical exposure at the attached 2,200-bed Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, and its affiliation with a premier medical institution.
Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are currently ongoing. Based on the 2025-26 cycle, applications typically open in late March and close by end of April. For 2026-27, NEET-UG is NOT mandatory for BOT admissions (deferred to 2027-28 by NCAHP); admissions will be based on Class 12 PCB aggregate marks. Classes are expected to commence from August 2026 (tentative).
Key Points
- Offered at KLE Institute of Physiotherapy, Belagavi, a constituent unit of KAHER (Deemed-to-be-University, NAAC A++ Grade)
- 4-year full-time programme followed by a compulsory 6-month rotatory internship
- Strong clinical training at the 2,200-bed Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, Belagavi
- Admission based on merit in Class 12 PCB; KAHER-AIET is the primary entrance test
- NEET-UG is NOT required for BOT admissions for 2026-27 (requirement deferred to 2027-28)
- Graduates are eligible to work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, community health settings, schools for special needs, and NGOs
JNMC BOT Fees
The BOT programme at JNMC Belagavi has a uniform annual tuition fee of Rs. 1,10,000 across all four years, making the total tuition fee Rs. 4,40,000 for the entire programme. Examination fees, convocation fees, and consumables are charged separately and are not included in the tuition fee. Hostel facility is optional and available separately for both boys and girls on campus.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Year 1 (Rs.) | Year 2 (Rs.) | Year 3 (Rs.) | Year 4 (Rs.) | Total (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | 1,10,000 | 1,10,000 | 1,10,000 | 1,10,000 | 4,40,000 |
| Total Fees | 1,10,000 | 1,10,000 | 1,10,000 | 1,10,000 | 4,40,000 |
- Examination fees, convocation fees, and consumables are to be borne separately by the candidate and are not included above.
- Hostel fees (optional, not mandatory): Boys Hostel (Chanakya Boys Hostel) - Rs. 92,000/year (room rent including food) + Rs. 16,000 refundable caution deposit + Rs. 200 admission fee = Rs. 1,08,200 for Year 1; Girls Hostel (Rani Channamma Ladies Hostel) - Rs. 86,000/year (room rent including food) + Rs. 13,000 refundable caution deposit + Rs. 200 admission fee = Rs. 99,200 for Year 1.
- Caution money deposit is refundable with 5% deduction as maintenance charges.
- Fees are to be paid by Demand Draft in favour of "Registrar KAHER" payable at Belagavi, or via RTGS/NEFT.
- Application form fee for KAHER-AIET: Rs. 1,500 (non-refundable, including GST); SC/ST/PH candidates: Rs. 750.
JNMC BOT Admission 2026
Admissions to the BOT programme at JNMC Belagavi are conducted by KAHER through a merit-based process. For 2026-27, NEET-UG is not required; admissions are based on Class 12 PCB aggregate marks. The KAHER-AIET (All India Entrance Test) is the primary entrance exam for this programme. Based on the 2025-26 cycle, the admission notification is typically released in March, applications open in late March, and close by end of April. Classes commence from August (tentative). The 2026-27 admission cycle is currently underway; candidates should monitor the official KAHER website (kaher.edu.in) and apply at apply.kaher.edu.in.
BOT Admission Calendar
| Event | Date (2025-26 Actual) | Tentative Date (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Notification Released | 19 March 2025 | March 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 24 March 2025 | Late March 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | 30 April 2025 | Late April 2026 |
| Application Form Fee | Rs. 1,500 (non-refundable) | Rs. 1,500 (non-refundable) |
| Scrutiny of Applications | May 2025 | May 2026 |
| Counselling / Seat Allotment | May-June 2025 | May-June 2026 |
| Commencement of Classes | 1 August 2025 (Tentative) | August 2026 (Tentative) |
KAHER-AIET Exam Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 20 March 2025 |
| Application Opens | 25 March 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 April 2025 (4:00 PM) |
| Mock Test (Mandatory) | 8 May 2025 |
| Exam Date | 11 May 2025 (Sunday) |
| Exam Time | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Exam Mode | Online Proctored (Centre-based for Karnataka students; Online Proctored for non-Karnataka students) |
| Exam Centres | Belagavi, Hubballi, Bengaluru |
| Result Declaration | Announced on website |
Note: KAHER-AIET 2026-27 dates have not yet been officially announced. Candidates should check kaher.edu.in for the latest updates.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Passed 10+2 (Class 12) from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English
- Minimum 40% aggregate marks in PCB taken together (5% relaxation for SC/ST candidates)
- Must have scored not less than 40% marks in English language
- NEET-UG is NOT mandatory for 2026-27 admissions (deferred to 2027-28)
Admission Process
- Visit kaher.edu.in or apply.kaher.edu.in and register online
- Fill and submit the KAHER-AIET application form and pay the application fee of Rs. 1,500 online
- Appear for the KAHER-AIET online proctored entrance test (mandatory mock test before the exam)
- Merit list is prepared based on KAHER-AIET score / Class 12 PCB marks
- Attend counselling and seat allotment as per schedule
- Pay the admission fee and complete document verification to confirm the seat
- Commencement of classes as per the academic calendar (typically August)
JNMC BOT Scholarships 2026
Students admitted to the BOT programme at JNMC Belagavi can avail of various government scholarships, primarily offered by the Karnataka State Government and the Central Government. KAHER does not directly offer institutional scholarships for the BOT programme; however, eligible students from SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities can benefit from state and central government schemes. Students are encouraged to apply through the official scholarship portals at the time of admission.
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship | Offered By | Eligibility | Amount / Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST Students | Karnataka State Government (Social Welfare Dept.) | SC/ST students with family income below prescribed limit | Full/partial fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance |
| Post-Matric Fee Reimbursement for OBC/Category-1 | Karnataka Backward Classes Welfare Dept. | OBC and Category-1 Nomadic/Semi-Nomadic students | Fee reimbursement as per government norms |
| Central Sector Scholarship | Ministry of Education, Govt. of India | Top 20 percentile in Class 12; family income below Rs. 8 LPA | Rs. 10,000/year (UG) |
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes | Central/State Govt. | Various categories (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS) | Varies by scheme |
| Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme | Govt. of India | Wards of ex-servicemen/coast guard personnel | Rs. 30,000/year (girls), Rs. 25,000/year (boys) |
- Students must apply for government scholarships through the official Karnataka Scholarship Portal (scholarships.karnataka.gov.in) or the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
- Application deadlines for government scholarships are typically between July and October each year; students should apply promptly after admission.
- Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to change as per government notifications.
- KAHER may consider fee concessions for meritorious or economically weaker students on a case-by-case basis; candidates should contact the admissions office directly.
JNMC BOT FAQs
Ques. Is NEET-UG required for BOT admission at JNMC Belagavi for 2026-27?
Ans. No. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has officially deferred the NEET-UG requirement for BOT admissions to 2027-28. For the 2026-27 academic year, admissions will be based on Class 12 PCB aggregate marks and the KAHER-AIET entrance test. Students who have not appeared for NEET-UG can still apply.
Ques. What is the total fee for the BOT course at JNMC Belagavi, and are there any hidden charges?
Ans. The total tuition fee for the 4-year BOT programme is Rs. 4,40,000 (Rs. 1,10,000 per year). However, examination fees, convocation fees, and consumables are charged separately and are not included in this amount. Hostel fees are also additional and optional. The application fee for KAHER-AIET is Rs. 1,500 (non-refundable).
Ques. What is the difference between BOT and BPT? Which is better for career prospects?
Ans. BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) focuses on physical rehabilitation through exercise, manual therapy, and electrotherapy, while BOT (Bachelor of Occupational Therapy) focuses on helping individuals with physical, mental, or developmental conditions to perform daily life activities independently. Both have strong career prospects. BOT graduates typically work in rehabilitation centres, psychiatric hospitals, paediatric settings, and community health programmes. The choice depends on your interest: BPT is more movement/exercise-oriented, while BOT is more activity/function-oriented.
Ques. What is the seat intake for BOT at JNMC Belagavi, and how competitive is admission?
Ans. The BOT programme at JNMC Belagavi (KLE Institute of Physiotherapy) has a limited seat intake. Admission is merit-based on KAHER-AIET scores and Class 12 PCB marks. Since JNMC is a premier institution under KAHER, competition is moderate to high. Candidates with strong PCB scores and good KAHER-AIET performance have a good chance of securing admission.
Ques. Is hostel accommodation guaranteed for BOT students at JNMC Belagavi?
Ans. Hostel accommodation is available on campus for both boys and girls, but allotment is done by computerised randomisation and is subject to availability. It is not guaranteed. Students must apply separately for hostel admission after securing their college seat. The hostel fees for 2025-26 are approximately Rs. 92,000/year for boys and Rs. 86,000/year for girls (inclusive of food charges).
Ques. What are the career options after completing BOT from JNMC Belagavi?
Ans. After completing BOT from JNMC Belagavi, graduates can work as Occupational Therapists in multi-specialty hospitals, rehabilitation centres, psychiatric hospitals, paediatric clinics, schools for children with special needs, NGOs, and community health centres. They can also pursue postgraduate studies (MOT) in specialisations such as Neurology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, or Psychiatry. Government job opportunities exist in AIIMS, government hospitals, and defence services. With KAHER's strong hospital network and clinical training at the 2,200-bed Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital, graduates are well-prepared for both clinical and academic careers.