Master of Occupational Therapy [MOT] (Hand Rehabilitation)
at Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research - [SVNIRTAR]
About Master of Occupational Therapy [MOT] (Hand Rehabilitation)
The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) with specialization in Hand Rehabilitation at Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttack is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme affiliated to the Odisha University of Health Sciences, Bhubaneswar. SVNIRTAR is an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and is one of the most reputed national institutes for rehabilitation education and research in India. The MOT programme has a total intake of 15 seats across all specializations (Rehabilitation, Hand Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities, and Neurology), is offered in full-time on-campus mode, and the total course fee is Rs. 86,506 for the entire programme. Admission is based on the Post Graduate Entrance Test (PGET) conducted by SVNIRTAR. The MOT (Hand Rehabilitation) specialization is highly valued for its focus on hand therapy, splinting, upper extremity rehabilitation, and management of conditions like brachial plexus injuries, tendon injuries, and stroke-related hand dysfunction, backed by SVNIRTAR's dedicated Hand Therapy and Hand Splinting sections.
Admission for the academic year 2026-27 is upcoming. Based on the 2025 cycle, the PGET application window is expected to open in May 2026, with the entrance test tentatively in June 2026 and counselling in July-August 2026. For the 2025-26 session, the PGET was held on June 22, 2025, with the mop-up round completed by August 22, 2025.
Key Points
- MOT (Hand Rehabilitation) at SVNIRTAR is affiliated to Odisha University of Health Sciences, Bhubaneswar.
- The total MOT intake at SVNIRTAR is 15 seats across all specializations; seats for Hand Rehabilitation are allocated from this pool based on merit and choice filling.
- Admission is through SVNIRTAR's own Post Graduate Entrance Test (PGET), a 100-mark, 90-minute MCQ-based test.
- The specialization covers advanced clinical training in hand therapy, splinting, upper extremity rehabilitation, management of tendon injuries, brachial plexus injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, and stroke-related hand dysfunction.
- The Department of Occupational Therapy at SVNIRTAR has dedicated Hand Therapy and Hand Splinting sections, providing specialized clinical exposure.
- The department has an active research culture with published work in hand rehabilitation, splinting, and upper extremity conditions.
- Reservations are available for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD (Divyangjan), and North Eastern States candidates.
- UDID card holders (PwD) are exempted from course fees and seat acceptance fees.
- Stipend may be paid during the programme as per institute norms.
SVNIRTAR MOT Fees
The MOT programme at SVNIRTAR is one of the most affordable postgraduate occupational therapy programmes in India. The total course fee for the entire 2-year programme (excluding hostel) is Rs. 86,506, which includes a one-time refundable caution money of Rs. 15,000 and a one-time institute development fee of Rs. 10,000. Annual recurring charges include tuition fees of Rs. 37,000, laboratory fees of Rs. 11,756, library fees of Rs. 7,000, and sports/cultural fees of Rs. 2,000. Hostel accommodation is available separately at Rs. 15,000 per year (accommodation only).
Fee Components
| Fee Component | Amount (Rs.) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | 37,000 | Annual |
| Laboratory Fees | 11,756 | Annual |
| Sports/Cultural Activities Fees | 2,000 | Annual |
| Library Fees | 7,000 | Annual |
| Identity Card Fees | 250 | One-time |
| University Registration Fees | 3,500 | One-time |
| Caution Money (Refundable) | 15,000 | One-time |
| Institute Development Fee | 10,000 | One-time |
| Total Course Fees (2 years, excl. hostel) | 86,506 | Full Programme |
| Hostel Fees (Accommodation only) | 15,000 | Annual (Optional) |
- Caution money of Rs. 15,000 is refundable on successful completion of the course, after recovering any losses/damages.
- Course fee is fully waived for PwD (Divyangjan) candidates holding valid UDID cards.
- Hostel accommodation is subject to availability and is not mandatory.
- Hostel fees cover accommodation only; mess/food charges are separate.
- University examination fees are payable as per Odisha University of Health Sciences norms, from time to time.
- Fees may be revised as approved by the competent authority.
- A seat acceptance fee of Rs. 10,000 is payable at the time of seat allotment (not applicable for UDID card holders); this amount is adjusted against the total admission fee.
SVNIRTAR MOT Admission 2026
Admission to the MOT (Hand Rehabilitation) programme at SVNIRTAR is through the Post Graduate Entrance Test (PGET) conducted by SVNIRTAR. The PGET is a 100-mark, 90-minute MCQ-based test. After the result, candidates must fill and lock their specialization choices online; failure to do so will result in disqualification from the counselling process. Seat allotment is done in 2 rounds based on merit, reservation, and choices filled, followed by a mop-up round if seats remain vacant. The 2026-27 PGET schedule is yet to be announced; based on the 2025 cycle, the process is expected to begin in May 2026.
SVNIRTAR PGET Admission Schedule
| Event | Date/Period |
|---|---|
| PGET Application Start (Tentative) | May 2026 |
| PGET Application End (Tentative) | June 2026 |
| Admit Card Release (Tentative) | June 2026 |
| PGET Exam Date (Tentative) | June 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Tentative) | July 2026 |
| Choice Filling and Locking (Tentative) | July 2026 |
| 1st Round Seat Allotment (Tentative) | July 2026 |
| 1st Round Certificate Verification and Admission (Tentative) | July/August 2026 |
| 2nd Round Seat Allotment (Tentative) | August 2026 |
| Mop-up Round (Tentative) | August 2026 |
| Session Commencement | To be intimated during document verification |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have passed a full-time regular BOT/B.Sc. (OT) course from any recognized university.
- Completion of all requirements of the degree course, including internship, is mandatory before the stipulated internship completion date.
- No minimum percentage is specified; admission is purely on PGET merit.
Admission Process
- Apply online on the SVNIRTAR admission portal (https://admission.svnirtar.nic.in) during the application window.
- Pay the application fee: Rs. 1,500 for UR/EWS/OBC; Rs. 1,200 for SC/ST/PwD (exempted for UDID card holders).
- Download admit card and appear for PGET at the chosen examination centre.
- After result, fill and lock specialization choices online within the stipulated period (this is a one-time process; failure to do so results in disqualification).
- Pay seat acceptance fee of Rs. 10,000 upon seat allotment (not applicable for UDID card holders).
- Attend physical document verification at SVNIRTAR campus on the allotted date with all original certificates.
- Pay the remaining balance of the admission fee online to confirm admission.
SVNIRTAR MOT Scholarships 2026
Students admitted to the MOT programme at SVNIRTAR can avail various government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Since SVNIRTAR is a government-funded national institute with very low fees, the financial burden on students is already minimal. Scholarships are especially beneficial for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and PwD students.
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Amount/Benefit | Application Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students | SC category students | Covers tuition and other fees as per government norms | scholarships.gov.in (NSP) |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students | ST category students | Covers tuition and other fees as per government norms | scholarships.gov.in (NSP) |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students | OBC category students | Covers tuition and other fees as per government norms | scholarships.gov.in (NSP) |
| Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (DEPwD) | PwD (Divyangjan) students | Financial assistance for tuition and maintenance | scholarships.gov.in (NSP) |
| Course Fee Waiver | PwD (Divyangjan) candidates with valid UDID card | Full course fee waived | Applicable at SVNIRTAR directly |
- All NSP scholarships require students to apply fresh each academic year through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
- Renewal of scholarships is subject to maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
- Stipend may be paid during the programme as per institute norms.
SVNIRTAR MOT FAQs
Ques. What clinical areas does the MOT (Hand Rehabilitation) specialization cover at SVNIRTAR?
Ans. The Hand Rehabilitation specialization covers assessment and management of tendon injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, brachial plexus injuries, fractures, burns, rheumatoid arthritis, and stroke-related hand dysfunction. Students receive training in hand splinting, assistive device fabrication, sensory re-education, and functional hand therapy. The dedicated Hand Therapy and Hand Splinting sections at SVNIRTAR provide excellent clinical exposure.
Ques. What is the PGET exam pattern for MOT admission at SVNIRTAR?
Ans. The PGET is a 100-mark, 90-minute MCQ-based test conducted in English. There is no negative marking. The test is based on BOT-level curriculum. Candidates can choose up to 3 examination centres from a list of 32 cities across India.
Ques. What is the total fee for MOT (Hand Rehabilitation) at SVNIRTAR?
Ans. The total course fee for the 2-year MOT programme is Rs. 86,506 (excluding hostel). This includes a refundable caution money of Rs. 15,000 and a one-time institute development fee of Rs. 10,000. Annual charges include tuition (Rs. 37,000), lab (Rs. 11,756), library (Rs. 7,000), and sports/cultural fees (Rs. 2,000). University examination fees are payable separately.
Ques. How are specialization seats allocated in MOT at SVNIRTAR?
Ans. The total MOT intake is 15 seats across all four specializations. After the PGET result, all candidates must fill and lock their specialization preferences online. Seat allotment is done by the system based on merit rank, reservation, and choices filled. Candidates are advised to fill maximum choices to avoid non-allocation.
Ques. What are the career prospects after completing MOT (Hand Rehabilitation) from SVNIRTAR?
Ans. MOT (Hand Rehabilitation) graduates from SVNIRTAR are well-placed in hand surgery units, orthopaedic hospitals, rehabilitation centres, burn units, and academic institutions across India and abroad. The specialization is in high demand in private hospitals and hand surgery centres. Graduates can also pursue fellowship programmes or academic positions in hand rehabilitation.
Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for MOT students at SVNIRTAR?
Ans. Yes, SVNIRTAR provides separate hostel facilities for boys and girls. Hostel accommodation is subject to availability and is not mandatory. The hostel fee is Rs. 15,000 per year (accommodation only); mess/food charges are separate. Hostel allocation is reviewed on a year-to-year basis.