Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) represent a major global health challenge, with modifiable lifestyle factors contributing significantly to their occurrence. Physiotherapists play an important role in prevention, health promotion, and rehabilitation; therefore, assessing physiotherapy students’ awareness and knowledge regarding NCDs is essential for preparing them for evolving public health roles. This cross-sectional study included 286 physiotherapy students from multiple colleges. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from previous literature and distributed through Google Forms. Among participants, 201 students (70.28%) were familiar with NCDs, while only 46 (16.08%) had attended related workshops. Social media (51.05%) and faculty (38.46%) were the main information sources, and 86 students (30.07%) were aware of the WHO Global Action Plan. Overall, 230 students (80.4%) demonstrated moderate knowledge, 52 (18.2%) had poor knowledge, and four (1.4%) had good knowledge. Awareness of modifiable risk factors was high, with 265 students (92.66%) identifying the role of physical activity in prevention. Knowledge levels significantly improved with increasing academic year. Physiotherapy students showed moderate overall knowledge of NCDs and associated lifestyle risk factors, with higher academic years demonstrating better awareness. Despite a good understanding of lifestyle prevention, exposure to formal training, workshops, and global initiatives remained limited, highlighting the need to integrate structured learning on NCD prevention and health promotion into the physiotherapy curriculum to strengthen students’ preparedness for public health roles. 

Manoj Kumar R holds a Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) in Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy and is currently working as an Assistant Professor. He has two years of teaching experience in undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy education and has guided both UG and PG students in academic and research activities. His areas of research interest include cardiopulmonary physiotherapy and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). He has published two articles in indexed journals and has presented one paper at a national conference. He is also a certified diabetes instructor with a clinical interest in lifestyle modification and preventive physiotherapy. He is a member of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP).