NMC proposes central tracking of doctors’ disciplinary records
The proposal is part of the draft Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, published on August 11. The NMR will serve as a central repository of doctors’ registration details and disciplinary orders issued by State Medical Councils, NMC or its Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB).
New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) plans to create a centralized system for tracking doctors' disciplinary records nationwide, as proposed in the draft amendment regulations published on August 11. This National Medical Register (NMR) will amalgamate state medical registers, providing a unified database of doctors' registration details and disciplinary actions issued by state councils and the NMC's Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB).
The NMR will indicate whether a doctor's license is active or inactive, along with records of disciplinary actions. State Medical Councils (SMCs) will handle complaints of misconduct, unethical behavior, or medical negligence, with their decisions reflected in the NMR and automatically updated in the doctor's primary state register. The two registers will be electronically synchronized.
A unified registration portal is also proposed, allowing doctors to practice across states and union territories without the need for separate registrations. Doctors will hold a valid medical license for five years, with renewal required within three months of expiry. If not renewed, the registration will be marked inactive, and the doctor will be unable to practice.
Existing doctors without an NMR Unique Identification Number (UID) must update their details through the EMRB portal within a specified timeframe. No fee is charged for obtaining the UID.
Doctors whose registration or license application is rejected can appeal to the EMRB within 30 days. If the appeal is granted, the State Medical Council must grant registration or license within 15 days. The draft also includes provisions for a good-standing certificate for foreign doctors and temporary registration for those pursuing postgraduate or super-specialty courses for up to 24 months.
The regulations are still in draft form, with the NMC inviting objections and suggestions for finalization. The earlier draft published on April 7, 2026, has been withdrawn.
Written by urgent.news from ETHealthworld's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
