The National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed a system to centrally track the disciplinary records of doctors across India. Under the draft Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, the National Medical Register (NMR) would be linked with State Medical Councils to record doctors’ registration status, licence status, suspensions, removals and other disciplinary actions.
The NMR would serve as a central repository for disciplinary orders issued by State Medical Councils, the NMC and its Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB).
Disciplinary Records to Follow Doctors Across States
As per ETHealthworld, the proposed electronic linkage would enable disciplinary records to follow doctors across states, allowing authorities to access relevant information through the NMR. State Medical Councils would continue to handle complaints related to professional misconduct, unethical conduct and medical negligence, while the outcomes of disciplinary proceedings would be reflected in the central register.
Moreover, if a State Medical Council recommends disciplinary action against a doctor, the NMR would record the decision and update the doctor’s primary state register.
Five-Year Licence and Unified Registration
The draft also proposes a unified registration system under which doctors registered with one State Medical Council could practise across India without obtaining fresh registration in another state or Union Territory.
The medical licence would remain valid for five years. If doctors fail to renew their licences within three months of expiry, their registration would be marked inactive and they would not be permitted to practise.
Doctors without an NMR unique identification number would also have to update their details through the EMRB portal. The NMC has proposed issuing these unique identification numbers without a fee.
Appeals and Stakeholder Feedback
Doctors whose registration or licence applications are rejected would be able to appeal to the EMRB within 30 days. The draft also includes provisions for good-standing certificates for foreign doctors and temporary registration for doctors pursuing postgraduate or super-specialty courses.
The NMC has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders before finalising the regulations. If implemented, the proposed framework could strengthen coordination between central and state medical authorities while improving transparency in professional disciplinary records.