The Supreme Court has directed the Centre, states, Union Territories and hospitals, including private facilities, to implement the 2026 Guidelines for Organisation and Delivery of Intensive Care Services within fixed timelines, with infrastructure and staffing upgrades to be completed on priority.
A Bench of Justice A. Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan has reduced the compliance period for requirements originally allowed up to 12 months to nine months. Hospitals and authorities have also been directed to begin recruitment of ICU specialists, trained MBBS doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals immediately, with the process to be completed within six months.
The court has made the timelines mandatory and directed chief secretaries and other responsible officials to monitor implementation. Hospitals have been given three months to provide specified bedside utilities, non-emergency equipment and laboratory services, while infection-control and safety requirements are to be implemented immediately.
The guidelines establish a three-tier ICU framework, with standards based on the complexity of care, infrastructure and availability of trained personnel. Facilities operating as centres of excellence or speciality hospitals and maintaining Level III ICUs will have to meet the additional standards prescribed for the highest level of critical-care services.
The Supreme Court has sought status reports by November 5, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on November 16. Authorities in hilly and remote regions may seek additional time, subject to submitting details of work completed and the additional period required.
The proceedings concerning standardisation of critical-care facilities began in 2016. While the original appeal was disposed of in 2024, the Supreme Court has continued monitoring the implementation of uniform ICU standards.
