The National Medical Commission (NMC) clarified that registered medical practitioners can remotely review and digitally authenticate electronic medical records, provided they comply with existing legal, ethical and professional requirements. The clarification aims to eliminate confusion surrounding digital signatures as hospitals, diagnostic centres and healthcare providers increasingly adopt digital platforms and telemedicine services. In an advisory issued on October 13, the NMC stated that the existing legal framework does not prohibit doctors from remotely authenticating laboratory reports, pathology and radiology reports, diagnostic interpretations, discharge summaries and other clinical documents.
NMC Supports Digital Signatures Under Existing Legal Framework
The advisory follows a recommendation by the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms to facilitate digital and electronic signatures in medical practice under the Information Technology Act, 2000. According to the commission, the clarification aims to improve healthcare access, streamline service delivery and reduce regulatory uncertainty surrounding the remote authentication of medical records. However, the NMC emphasised that digital authentication does not exempt doctors from their professional, ethical or legal responsibilities.
Doctors Must Review Records Before Authentication
The commission has made it clear that doctors must personally examine the relevant clinical information and exercise independent professional judgement before digitally signing any medical document. If the available information is incomplete or insufficient, doctors must refrain from authenticating the document until they complete the necessary review and verification. The advisory emphasises that digital authentication is merely a method of signing documents. It cannot replace clinical assessment, professional judgement or statutory responsibility. Therefore, doctors cannot authenticate medical records simply by applying their digital signatures without reviewing the relevant information.
Remote Authentication Requires Secure Access and Accountability
The NMC has specified that doctors may remotely authenticate medical records only within the scope of their professional engagement with the concerned healthcare establishment. They must also have lawful access to the relevant clinical records. To safeguard patient information and prevent misuse, healthcare establishments must implement appropriate security measures. These include maintaining audit trails, authentication logs, and date and time stamps to protect the confidentiality and integrity of electronic medical records. Furthermore, doctors must retain exclusive control over their digital-signature credentials, authentication data and access tokens. They cannot share, delegate or transfer these credentials to another person.
Foreign Medical Experts Cannot Automatically Certify Indian Medical Records
The NMC has also clarified the position concerning foreign medical experts. Although these experts may provide remote consultations or second opinions to Indian healthcare establishments, this permission does not automatically authorise them to independently certify Indian medical records or practise medicine in India. Consequently, healthcare establishments must ensure that foreign experts operate within the applicable legal and regulatory framework.
Advisory Clarifies Existing Rules Without Creating New Rights
The commission described the advisory as “clarificatory in nature”, meaning it explains the existing legal position rather than introducing a new statutory right or relaxing current regulatory requirements. The clarification comes as healthcare providers increasingly adopt electronic medical records, digital diagnostic systems and telemedicine platforms. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, by establishing clearer expectations for remote digital authentication, the NMC seeks to support efficient digital healthcare delivery while maintaining professional accountability, patient confidentiality and the integrity of medical records.