Karnataka's Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, a strict prohibition on government doctors providing inpatient (IPD) treatment at private hospitals. The new directive allows government doctors to engage in private practice solely through outpatient department (OPD) services, but only after their government duties are fulfilled. Furthermore, they must fully disclose the details of their private practice to the government.
The decision to ban IPD treatment in private hospitals comes in response to concerns that such practices disrupt services at government hospitals and negatively impact patient care. Minister Rao highlighted instances of negligence in government hospitals, some of which resulted in fatalities, as pointed out by the Lokayukta and senior officials. He also referenced the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission's recommendation for stricter regulation of private practice by government doctors, emphasizing the need to prioritize public service.
Under the new guidelines, government doctors can only offer outpatient consultations in the private sector, and this must be done outside of their official duty hours. They are permitted to practice OPD services at only one private clinic or hospital, the details of which must be formally declared to the government. The government has made it clear that this private practice should not interfere with their government responsibilities in any way, emphasizing that patient care and the availability of doctors in government hospitals must remain the top priority.
The Health Department has stated that the regulations are not intended to penalize doctors, but rather to strike a balance between professional freedom and public responsibility within the state-run healthcare system. Any violation of these conditions will be considered misconduct and will invite disciplinary action under the Karnataka Civil Services Rules, in addition to other legal provisions.
The government aims to restore public trust in government hospitals, ensure accountability, and improve patient care by ensuring doctors remain available during official working hours. Similar restrictions are already in place in states like Kerala, where government doctors are allowed private practice only in OPD services under strict conditions. The new order issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department is to be read in conjunction with earlier guidelines regulating private practice by government doctors and takes immediate effect.
