The National Medical Register (NMR), envisioned as a transformative initiative to centralize and streamline the registration of doctors across India, is facing significant challenges in its implementation. Launched with the aim of creating a comprehensive and dynamic database of allopathic doctors, the NMR has been struggling to get off the ground, facing criticism for its slow registration process and bureaucratic hurdles.
The NMR portal, mandated under Section 31 of the NMC Act, 2019, was inaugurated on August 23, 2024, by the Union Health Minister with the goal of registering all MBBS doctors eligible to practice in India. The register is a centralized repository that contains the name, address, and qualifications of licensed medical practitioners. A key feature of the NMR is its linkage with the Aadhaar ID of doctors, intended to ensure the authenticity of the individual. The NMR aimed to address the challenges of incomplete data, duplicate registrations, and outdated records that plagued the previous Indian Medical Register (IMR). It was also intended to provide a single platform where the public could access information about registered doctors, enhancing transparency and building trust within the healthcare system.
However, the initial enthusiasm surrounding the NMR's launch has waned due to the slow pace of registration and various procedural issues. As of December 15, 2024, three and a half months after its launch, less than 6,500 doctors had registered on the portal, with only 284 applications approved. This slow progress has led to concerns that it could take as long as 40 years to register all of India's estimated 12 lakh doctors at the current rate. Furthermore, as of May 1, 2025, less than 1% of doctor applications for enrollment have been received in the last eight months, and 98% of those applications have not been approved.
Doctors have reported facing several challenges with the registration process, including irrelevant queries and requests for affidavits regarding name discrepancies with Aadhaar. Many doctors, especially those registered before Aadhaar became mandatory, are struggling with the new affidavit requirements due to variations in names or surnames on their Aadhaar cards. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has also raised queries about name changes in some state medical councils (SMCs) and universities, causing further complications. For instance, the Kerala Medical Council (KMC), previously known as the Travancore Cochin Medical Council (TCMC), underwent a name change following a state legislation in 2021, and the NMC has sought clarifications regarding this change.
These bureaucratic hurdles and delays have led to frustration and dissatisfaction among doctors. Some doctors have suggested that the NMC should automatically enroll doctors in the NMR once their registration numbers and degree certificates are verified by SMCs, similar to the procedure followed by the now-defunct Medical Council of India (MCI). Others have recommended that the NMC withdraw its directive requiring affidavits to resolve Aadhaar-related discrepancies and focus on simplifying the process and eliminating procedural redundancies.
If the issues are not addressed, there is a growing fear that the NMR initiative may fail to achieve its intended goals. Doctors are calling for a more streamlined and less time-consuming registration process, given the pressing demands of their profession. The success of the National Medical Register is crucial for modernizing India's healthcare system and ensuring transparency and accountability in the medical profession. Failure to re-register with the NMR could result in penalties and jeopardize a doctor's ability to practice medicine.
