The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), has proposed a comprehensive framework to regulate the provisional registration of eligible allied and healthcare professionals, providing structured pathways for skill enhancement, competency assessment and transition to regular registration.
The proposed framework, outlined in the Draft Provisional Registration of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Regulations, 2026, seeks to bring greater uniformity, transparency and accountability to professional registration while enabling practitioners to upgrade their qualifications and competencies in accordance with prescribed standards.
Framed under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, the draft regulations provide for standardised eligibility criteria, verification of credentials and clearly defined procedures for granting provisional registration.
A key feature of the proposal is the provision for eligible provisionally registered professionals to undertake prescribed bridge courses, supervised clinical training and minimum qualifying examinations, wherever applicable, to fulfil the requirements for regular registration. The competency-based approach is intended to promote continuous professional development, facilitate career advancement and strengthen the quality of allied and healthcare services.
The proposed framework also seeks to link progression to regular registration with prescribed educational qualifications and competency requirements, ensuring that professionals possess the necessary knowledge, skills and clinical capabilities to deliver quality healthcare. It is expected to contribute to a more skilled and accountable workforce while reinforcing patient safety and healthcare delivery standards.
Digital System to Streamline Registration
The draft regulations envisage an integrated online registration system to simplify application submission, credential verification, eligibility assessment and the issuance of provisional registration certificates.
Professionals granted provisional registration will receive a Provisional Registration Unique Identification Number (PR UID) to enable systematic identification and regulatory oversight. The digital mechanism is intended to improve accessibility, efficiency and transparency while ensuring greater uniformity in registration procedures across States and Union Territories.
The proposed provisions also cover the validity, extension and termination of provisional registration, along with procedures for appeals. They outline requirements for bridge courses, skill enhancement, competency assessments, qualifying examinations and supervised clinical training, wherever applicable.
Eligible professionals will be able to transition to regular registration in the appropriate Central or State Register after fulfilling the prescribed conditions.
Stakeholder Comments Invited by December 4
As part of the consultation process, NCAHP has invited comments, suggestions and objections on the draft regulations from allied and healthcare professionals, professional associations, educational institutions, State Allied and Healthcare Councils, healthcare institutions, experts and members of the public.
The draft regulations are available on the official NCAHP website at https://ncahp.abdm.gov.in/. Stakeholders can submit their feedback by email to ncahp.regulations@ncahp.mohfw.gov.in by December 4, 2026.
The feedback received will be considered before the regulations are finalised.
The proposed framework is aimed at establishing a transparent, inclusive and competency-driven registration system that supports professional development while maintaining standards of healthcare practice. It is expected to strengthen India’s allied and healthcare workforce and help it respond to the country’s evolving healthcare requirements.
(PIB)
