The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders until May 7, 2026.
The proposed rules, titled “Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine (Amendment) Regulations, 2026,” will be taken up for consideration after 30 days from April 7, 2026, when the Gazette copies were made public.
Key amendments focus on doctors serving in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). A new definition of AFMS is proposed, recognising it as the integrated medical service under the Ministry of Defence providing care to armed forces personnel, veterans, and their families.
Under the changes, AFMS doctors will be required to register with a State Medical Council of their choice at the time of joining and will be allowed to practice across all states and Union Territories during their service. After retirement, they must transfer or continue their registration in the state where they intend to practice.
The draft also proposes that additional qualifications obtained by AFMS doctors be registered with their State Medical Council and remain valid nationwide during service. It further ensures that their licences will not become inactive due to delays in renewal submissions, with AFMS responsible for providing annual updates to councils and the NMC.
Additionally, AFMS practitioners will be exempt from licence transfer provisions during service and will be deemed authorised to practice across India. A new provision also outlines jurisdiction in cases of professional misconduct, assigning final authority to the State Medical Council of registration while allowing local councils to conduct preliminary inquiries.
The NMC stated that all feedback must be submitted via the prescribed email format, as responses through other modes will not be accepted.