Academic Overview
Program Overview
Occupational Therapy is a holistic, evidence-based and client-centered profession of modern healthcare. It focuses on purposeful, goal-oriented activity, which the profession calls occupation: the everyday things people need, want and are expected to do. Occupational therapists help people whose function is affected by physical, psychosocial or cognitive impairments, whether present from birth or acquired later, to prevent disability, promote well-being and return to their meaningful roles.
Services include assessment and training in activities of daily living, work and productive activities, play and leisure; functional capacity analysis; designing and training in the use of assistive technology, adaptive equipment and splints; and environmental modification. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages, from newborns to older adults.
The B.O.T. gives a broad education in medical, social, behavioural, psychological and occupational sciences, with clinical observation from the first year and supervised clinical practice from the second year onwards.
Core Strengths
Program Highlights
Clinical exposure from day one: Observation in clinics starts in year 1 and supervised practice from year 2, moving steadily from theory to practice.
Compulsory Rotatory Internship (CRI): A full-time, 52-week internship of at least 2,016 hours, worth 45 credits, with a stipend at par with medical and dental interns.
Rotations across specialities: Orthopaedics and sports, psychiatry, neurology, paediatrics, burns and hand surgery, community rehabilitation, oncology, medicine, surgery and cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation.
Competency-based learning: Case studies, problem-based learning, skills training, simulators, inter-professional learning and reflective practice.
Pathway to specialisation: Continue to a 2-year Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.), then a PhD for research and academic roles.
Global recognition: Graduates are eligible for employment overseas, where such qualifications are highly regarded.
Admission Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
| Qualification |
Passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board with at least 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany and Zoology). However, in respect of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or Other Backward Classes (NCL), and also In respect of PwBD/PwD candidates the minimum marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are taken together in the qualifying examination shall be 40% marks instead of 50%. English pass required for all categories. |
| Selection |
Admission shall be made on the basis of Senior Secondary (10+2) Merit/ NEET Merit/Marks (with no cut-off marks or cut-off percentile for application) of the academic year of the admission, as decided by NCHAP/University from time to time. |
| Studied abroad |
Equivalence as determined by the Association of Indian Universities, with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English at 12th level |
| Minimum age |
17 years on the date of admission/on 31 Dec. of Admission Year |
| Medical fitness |
A fitness certificate from a registered medical practitioner |
| Persons with disabilities |
Reservation for those with benchmark disability of at least 40%, as per the RPwD Act 2016 and state quota norms |
| Medium of instruction |
English |
Curriculum Matrix
Key Features of the Program
What you will learn
Foundations: human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and fundamentals of occupational therapy
Occupational therapy in neurological, paediatric, orthopaedic and psychiatric conditions
Community occupational therapy and rehabilitation
Assessment, clinical reasoning, goal setting and intervention planning
Assistive technology, adaptive equipment, splinting and environmental modification
Communication, professional ethics and evidence-based practice
Research methods, including a short research project during internship
How it is delivered
| Component |
Details |
| Duration |
5 years: 4 academic years plus 1 year of Compulsory Rotatory Internship |
| Teaching hours |
1,560 hours a year, 6,240 hours over four years |
| Elective posting |
Minimum 140 hours (4 weeks) |
| Internship |
52 weeks, minimum 2,016 hours, 45 credits, up to 26 weeks of externship allowed |
| Total hours |
8,396 hours |
| Intern title |
“B.O.T. Intern†|
| Course start |
Not later than 1 September of the academic year |
Attendance: Minimum 75% in theory and 85% in skills training (practical) to appear for the final examination, with no relaxation.
Assessment: Continuous internal assessment plus the year-end university examination; the passing mark is 50% in theory and practical separately.
Internship documentation: Logbooks, case studies, a short research project, seminars and a symposium.
Career & Growth
Placement Opportunities
Graduates can expect to be employed in hospitals and private practice as Occupational Therapists. The handbook sets out a clear clinical career ladder:
| Designation |
Eligibility and experience |
| Clinical Occupational Therapist |
Fresh B.O.T. graduate |
| Senior Clinical Occupational Therapist |
3 years of clinical experience |
| Superintendent Occupational Therapist |
5 years of experience as Senior OT; M.O.T. desirable |
| Chief Occupational Therapist |
8 years as Superintendent; M.O.T. mandatory |
| Director / Head of OT Department |
5 years as Chief Occupational Therapist; M.O.T. mandatory |
Beyond direct patient care, occupational therapists can work as counsellors, occupational health and ergonomics advisers, programme directors, rehabilitation directors, researchers and academicians.
Employment Sectors
Top Recruiting Sectors
Hospitals
Government and private acute care hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centres
Mental health
Psychiatric hospitals and mental health institutions
Child development & education
Special and mainstream schools, pre-schools and child development centres
Community and NGOs
Community-based rehabilitation, disaster management projects and non-government organisations
Elder and chronic care
Geriatric clinics, chronic care facilities, nursing homes and hospice care
Corporate and industry
Corporate offices, ergonomic furniture makers and occupational health centres
Wellness and fitness
Fitness clubs, health clubs and women’s wellness centres
Education and research
Universities, colleges and research institutes
Institutional Advantages
Why Choose Chirayu
01
A national curriculum:Aligned with the NCAHP Competency Based Curriculum of Occupational Therapy.
02
Clinical learning from year one:Observe in year 1, practice under supervision from year 2.
03
Growing demand:Chronic conditions, lifestyle change and an ageing population are increasing the need for occupational therapists.
04
Many places to work:Hospitals, schools, communities, industry, sport and research.
05
Room to grow:Move on to an M.O.T., a PhD, senior clinical posts or academia.
06
Practical Training & Clinical Exposure:4 In-House Hospitals equipped with Advanced Clinical Facilities for Hands-On Practical Training & Clinical Exposure
07
Learning:Well-Equipped Laboratories for Practical Learning
08
Faculty:Experienced & Qualified Faculty
09
Curriculum:National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions aligned Industry-Oriented Curriculum
10
Infrastructure:State-of-the-Art Infrastructure for a great Learning experience
Source: Competency Based Curriculum of Occupational Therapy (2025), National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Fees, seats, intake dates and recognition are as notified by Chirayu University.