Bengaluru: Candidates aspiring for seats in AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) courses will have to appear for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-2018.

Sources in the Department of Health and Family Welfare said the State government has issued an order. The decision was taken after the Central Council of Indian Medicine issued letters to Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries of all States that NEET would be the single entrance test for AYUSH courses as well (besides medical and dental).

Last academic year (2017-18), all government college seats, 20 per cent seats in private unaided colleges, and 80 per cent seats in aided colleges were filled through CET. From the 2018-19 academic year, they will be filled through NEET.

The Karnataka Examinations Authority has opened online applications for the CET-2018. KEA reiterated that AYUSH aspirants should appear for NEET and not CET.