The Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) under the National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the draft for the “Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine (Amendment) Regulations, 2026”.
The main goal of these new rules is to make medical registration, licensing, and practice procedures simpler, fully digital, and uniform across India.
ЁЯФС Key Highlights & Major Changes
1. One Unique ID (UID) to Practice Anywhere in India
- Once a doctor registers with their respective State Medical Council (SMC), a central Unique Identification (UID) Number will be generated by the NMC’s EMRB.
- After getting this UID, doctors can practice anywhere in India without needing a fresh registration or license in other states.
2. Clear Rules for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) & OCIs
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) who studied medicine abroad are now explicitly included in the definition of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs).
- FMGs must clear the FMGE (or NExT, once implemented) to get provisional registration for internship and permanent registration.
3. Automatic Synchronization (State & National Registers)
- The State Medical Register (SMR) and the National Medical Register (NMR) will be electronically linked.
- Any update in a doctor’s profile at the state level (like adding higher degrees, license renewal, or status changes) will automatically update in the national system.
4. 5-Year License Validity & Renewal Rules
- A license to practice medicine will remain valid for 5 years.
- Doctors must apply for renewal through the unified NMC web portal.
- If a doctor fails to apply for renewal within 3 months after expiry, their status in the register will automatically change to ‘Inactive’, and they will not be eligible to practice until renewed.
5. Jurisdiction in Medical Negligence / Misconduct
- If there is an allegation of professional misconduct or negligence, the State Medical Council in whose geographical area the incident took place will conduct the inquiry and issue decisions.
- Any disciplinary action (like suspension or removal) will be updated on the central online register.
ЁЯЧУя╕П Public Feedback & Objections (30-Day Window)
The NMC has opened a 30-day window from the date of publication for stakeholders, doctors, and the public to submit feedback or objections:
- Official Email for Feedback:
regn_regulations_amend_2026@nmc.org.in - Mode of Submission: Suggestions must be sent only via email in the prescribed format (physical submissions will not be accepted).
ЁЯТб Summary
These amendments eliminate the hassle of multi-state registrations and create a transparent, single-window system for doctors across India.
