The National Medical Commission (NMC) has suggested a new system that would allow doctors to practise medicine anywhere in India with just one registration. Under this plan, once a doctor is registered with a state medical council and given a unique ID number, they can practise across the country without needing additional licences in other states.
This proposal is part of updated regulations released by the NMC on August 11, 2026. These rules aim to simplify how doctors are licensed and tracked nationwide. The NMC has invited feedback for 30 days since the announcement.
The new system would use a single online portal to handle registrations and licences. State medical councils would still review applications and issue licences, but this information would be shared with both state and national registers. Each doctor’s unique ID would include their state code and local registration number.
Once registered, doctors would not need to apply for separate licences in other states. Changes in one register would automatically update others, creating a central database of all licence details, including any disciplinary actions.
Licences will still expire every five years. If a doctor does not renew their licence on time, it becomes inactive, and they cannot practise until it is renewed.
Disciplinary actions against doctors would primarily be handled by the state where the issue occurred. However, the NMC can monitor these processes to ensure fairness and consistency.
The draft also updates rules for foreign medical graduates. It now includes Indian citizens with foreign degrees who did not attend an Indian medical school. Foreign graduates would still need to pass India’s medical exams for provisional licences.
Temporary registration for foreign doctors studying in India has been extended from 12 months to the duration of their course, up to 24 months, followed by a one-year waiting period.
Doctors already practising but not yet registered nationally will need to update their details online and obtain a unique ID. This process is free.
The new system has not yet taken effect.