Government data point to uneven implementation of NRTS, with several large States lagging behind

Despite the launch of the Nurses Registration and Tracking System (NRTS) seven years ago, more than two-thirds of India's registered nursing workforce remains unenrolled on the national digital platform. According to government data presented in the Lok Sabha, only 14.24 lakh out of 46.02 lakh registered nurses—comprising ANMs, RNs, RM, and Lady Health Visitors—have been enrolled on the system, leaving a significant portion outside the national registry.

This incomplete rollout has caused considerable hardship for nurses, particularly those seeking No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for inter-state employment and those seeking overseas jobs, where credential verification has faced delays. The situation is most pronounced in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, where enrollment rates are significantly lower than in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

Congress MP Anto Antony has urged the Union Health Minister to complete the enrolment of all registered nurses and issue National Unique Identity (NUID) cards within six months. Nursing organizations argue that the uneven implementation has undermined the purpose of creating a centralized digital registry, with the Indian Professional Nurses Association filing a public interest litigation in the Delhi High Court alleging delays, duplications, and exploitation by intermediaries.

The Indian Nursing Council, responsible for the NRTS, has acknowledged the concerns but maintains that the responsibility lies with the respective State Nursing Registration Councils.