New Draft Rules Proposed for Registration of Healthcare and Allied Professionals in India

New Regulations

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, working under the Union Ministry of Health, has proposed a draft set of regulations for the provisional registration of allied and healthcare professionals across the country. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 provides the legal basis for these draft rules, which are open for public and stakeholder feedback until December 4, 2026.

Covered Fields

The governing framework covers ten broad categories of professions. These include clinical laboratories, surgical and emergency technology, physiotherapy, nutrition, ophthalmology, occupational therapy, community and behavioural health, medical imaging, physician associates, and health informatics.

Digital Platform

The proposed framework introduces an integrated online registration system. This digital platform will handle online applications, verify credentials, assess eligibility, and issue provisional registration certificates along with a Provisional Registration Unique Identification Number, known as a PR UID.

Career Progression

Provisionally registered professionals can take up prescribed bridge courses, supervised clinical training, and qualifying exams to meet the standards required for regular registration. A senior Health Ministry official stated that the framework emphasizes skill development, professional competence, and regulatory accountability to improve the quality of health services.

Context

India has a vast and diverse healthcare sector where regulating allied and support professionals is vital for patient safety and service quality. Clear national standards and digital tracking systems help bring transparency and uniformity across different States and Union Territories.