NMC Regulation 2025: Registration & Licence Rules

NMC Regulation 2025: The National Medical Commission (NMC) had released the Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations. These regulations, issued by the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB), aim to streamline the process of registration, licensing, and monitoring of medical practitioners in India.

The notification comes under the powers of Section 57(2) of the NMC Act, 2019, and introduces comprehensive rules for Indian graduates, Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), additional qualifications, licence renewals, and temporary registrations for foreign practitioners.

Section 57(2) of the NMC Act, 2019, empowers the National Medical Commission (NMC) to make regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of the Act. Specifically, it authorises NMC’s boards: (1) The Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) (2) Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) (3) Ethics & Medical Registration Board (EMRB) To frame rules on curriculum design, accreditation, professional conduct, medical registration, examinations (including NEET & NExT), and standards for medical institutions.

NMC Regulation 2025: Overview

• Regulations titled: “Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023.”
• Effective Date: May 10, 2023.
• Scope: Covers Indian medical graduates, foreign medical graduates, additional qualifications, renewal of licence, transfer of licence, and temporary registration for foreign doctors.

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NMC Regulation Important Definitions

The regulations introduce clear definitions for terms like:

• Additional Qualifications: Postgraduate or super-specialty qualifications recognised under the NMC Act, 2019.
• Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG): Indian citizen with a primary medical qualification from overseas who clears the FMGE and later National Exit Test (NExT), when implemented.
• Indian Medical Register (IMR): The earlier register maintained under the MCI Act, now merged into the National Medical Register (NMR).
• Temporary Registration: Permission for foreign practitioners to practice in India for training, research, or community service.

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NMC Regulation 2025: Registration Rules

Provisional Registration for Internship Training

• Indian graduates: Eligible for provisional registration after completing their MBBS from an Indian institution.
• Foreign graduates: Must qualify NExT and meet FMG Regulations, 2021, to get provisional registration for internship.

Registration in the National Medical Register (NMR)

• All candidates qualifying for NExT (Indian or foreign) will be registered in the NMR.
• Each practitioner will be given a Unique Identification Number (UID).
• Registration makes them legally eligible to practice in India.
• A processing fee is applicable.

National Medical Register (NMR): Public Access

The NMR will be maintained by the EMRB and available online at the NMC website. It will display:

• Registration number & UID
• Name & Father’s Name
• Date of registration
• Place of practice (hospital/institute)
• Medical qualifications & specialties
• Year of passing & university details

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Registration of Additional Qualifications

• Doctors acquiring further qualifications must update them with the State Medical Council.
• Updated qualifications will automatically reflect in the National Register.
• A new certificate will be issued with the same number.
• Practitioners can practice in their specialty/super-specialty across India.

Removal & Restoration of Registration

• If a doctor’s name is removed (temporarily or permanently) by the SMC, it is reflected in the National Register.
• Restoration of the licence also gets updated in the National Register.

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NMC Regulation 2025: Licence Rules

Licence to Practice Medicine in India

• Applications to be made via the NMC web portal.
• Doctors can choose any State/UT to practice.
• Approval by the respective State Medical Council (SMC) within 30 days.
• Licence number will include UID + State Code.
• Details will reflect in both the State Register and the National Register.

Renewal of Licence

• Licence validity: 5 years.
• Renewal application: To be filed within 3 months before expiry.
• If not renewed, the licence becomes inactive, and practice is barred.
• Inactive status will be reflected in the National Register.

Transfer of Licence

• Doctors can transfer their licence to another state via the NMC web portal.
• The State Medical Council must approve within 30 days.
• Registration number remains the same, but the State Code changes.

NMC Regulation 2025: Transitory Provisions

• Existing practitioners in IMR/SMC registers must update details on the NMC web portal within 3 months.
• A new registration number will be issued.
• This licence will remain valid for 5 years, free of cost for the first update.

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Temporary Registration for Foreign Medical Practitioners

Foreign doctors can get temporary registration for:

1. Postgraduate & Super-Speciality Courses
2. Fellowships / Clinical Research / Observership
3. Expert Visits (for training, workshops, procedures)
4. Voluntary Clinical Services
   • Validity: Up to 12 months (with a cooling-off period of 1 year).
   • Application via sponsoring institution through the NMC web portal.
   • Subject to visa guidelines and Ministry of Home Affairs rules.

Read Also: NMC Guidelines for Foreign Medical Graduates 2025

Appeals Against Denial of Licence

• If an SMC rejects an application, doctors can appeal to EMRB within 30 days.
• If EMRB also rejects, appeal to NMC within 60 days.
• The decision of NMC is final.

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Importance of NMC Regulation 2025 for the Indian Medical System

The NMC Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations introduced a centralised digital system, unique identification numbers, stricter renewal norms, and transparent public access to the National Medical Register.

The regulations aim to bring accountability and standardisation in medical practice.

For both Indian and foreign medical graduates, the framework not only simplifies the licensing process but also ensures that only qualified practitioners can legally serve patients.

As India moves towards a uniform and transparent medical regulatory system, these reforms are expected to strengthen public trust, enhance professional standards, and align Indian medical practice with global best practices.