Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ministry of Health and Family Welfare PIB Delhi Read the original release on pib.gov.in
- Autonomous boards to strengthen quality assessment and standards in allied and healthcare institutions
- NCAHP notifies competency-based Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology Diploma course under One Nation, One Curriculum
- The two-year D.MRIT program will include a six-month clinical internship in Radiology and Imaging
- NCAHP launches digital registration for allied and healthcare practitioners with unique identification number and QR-coded certificates
- Public verification of allied and healthcare practitioners will be possible through state and central registers
The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has notified measures under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 to strengthen standards in allied and healthcare education and professional practice. These include the Autonomous Board and Central Evaluation Committee (Establishment, Composition, Functions and Powers) Regulations, 2026, Competency-Based Courses for Diploma in Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology (D.MRIT) and Registration of Allied and Healthcare Practitioners Regulations, 2026.
These measures provide for a streamlined system for assessment and quality assurance of institutions, competency-based education and training and registration and verification of allied and health care professionals.
Strengthening institutional standards through autonomous boards and central evaluation committee
The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Practitioners (NCAHP) has notified the following regulations under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Practitioners Act, 2021 – (a) Registration of Allied and Healthcare Practitioners Regulations, 2026 (b) Autonomous Board and Central Assessment Committee (Establishment, Composition, Functions and Powers) Regulations, 2026. These regulations provide for a framework to strengthen institutional assessment, quality assurance and implementation of standards for recognized courses. Provision has been made.
Key Features of the Regulations
- These regulations provide for the establishment and functioning of autonomous boards under the State Affiliated and Health Care Councils with responsibilities relating to education, institutional assessment, professional ethics and registration. Autonomous boards will have 10 to 20 members, including a chairperson, representing categories of recognized allied and healthcare professions.
- The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Boards will facilitate the implementation of standards, competency-based frameworks, faculty development, training and research for recognized courses and submit reports and recommendations to the State Council.
- The Assessment and Rating Board will evaluate applications for recognition and permits, inspect institutions, review annual disclosures, prepare panels of assessors, assess and rate institutions and make assessment and rating information available in the public domain through the website of the State Council.
- The Ethics and Registration Board will verify the documents of the practitioners and recommend for registration. The Board will assist in the maintenance of state registers and the implementation of standards of professional ethics and conduct and will evaluate complaints and violations and make recommendations related to professional registration.
Central Appraisal Committee (CAC)
- For States where a functioning State Council does not exist, these regulations provide for a Central Appraisal Committee (CAC) under the overall supervision of the NCAHP and with the assistance of the NCAHP Secretariat. The CAC will discharge the functions of autonomous boards and follow the prescribed verification, inspection and rating procedures.
- The CAC will consist of 10 to 30 members, including a Chairperson, representing professional categories with additional representation, if necessary, to ensure appropriate representation of States and Union Territories, especially those areas which do not have functioning State Councils.
- The Regulations also set out the grounds and appropriate procedure for removal of CAC members, including conflict of interest, breach of code of conduct, abuse of office and other specified circumstances and the member concerned will be provided an opportunity of being heard.
Towards standardized and quality allied and healthcare education
- NCAHP had earlier notified the Registration of Allied and Healthcare Practitioners Regulations, 2026, which enable Allied and Healthcare Practitioners to register and practice their profession under the Act. The notification of these regulations ensures a seamless and transparent registration process in the Central and State Registers.
- These regulations provide for a streamlined framework for improving the quality of education and professional standards in the allied and healthcare sector, through the establishment of clearly defined institutional assessment, inspection and rating mechanisms as well as prescribed functions for education, ethics and registration.
Competency-based education to meet the growing demand for trained imaging professionals
With an aim to standardize education and training, NCAHP has notified competency-based curriculum for Diploma in Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology (D.MRIT) under One Nation, One Curriculum for Allied and Healthcare Sector on 30 September 2026.
It will be mandatory for institutions offering or desirous of offering D.M.R.I.T course to adopt this curriculum from the academic year 2027–28. Institutions willing to implement it can also adopt this curriculum from the academic year 2026–27.
The Diploma program has been developed keeping in mind the growing need for trained practitioners for medical radiology and imaging services in Primary Health Centers (PHCs), hospitals, diagnostic centers and other healthcare institutions. There has also been a demand from students and stakeholders for a suitable diploma-level program in the field of radiology and imaging.
D.MRIT is a two-year program for students who have passed Class 12 in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) from a recognized board or equivalent. This curriculum reflects a shift from traditional, knowledge-focused education to a competency-based approach, with an emphasis on the acquisition of the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary for safe, effective and ethical practice in medical radiology and imaging services.
An important component of the program is a six-month internship, designed to provide students with structured practical clinical experience and opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in a real healthcare environment. The internship will develop practical skills, professional competencies under appropriate supervision and provide an opportunity to become familiar with patient care practices, radiation safety practices, and imaging procedures and equipment.
The curriculum is designed to ensure that practitioners completing the program acquire the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and professional competencies required to work in the field of medical radiology and imaging and contribute effectively to clinical services such as X-ray, CT scan, sonography, mammography and fluoroscopy, while adhering to the prescribed standards of patient safety, radiation protection, quality assurance and professional practice.
The notification of the Diploma Program complements the competency-based education framework already established by the Commission for higher level education in the subject. The competency-based courses of Bachelor of Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology (B.M.R.I.T.) and Master of Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology (M.M.R.I.T.) have already been issued by the Commission vide notification dated 24 April 2025, to be implemented from the academic year 2026–27.
The introduction of the D.MRIT course along with the existing undergraduate and postgraduate programs provides a streamlined educational pathway in Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology and aims to help ensure the availability of appropriately trained practitioners, as well as promote uniformity, standardization and quality in allied and healthcare education across the country.
The Commission has so far released 20 competency-based courses for various allied and healthcare professions. These courses have been developed with the objective of strengthening competency-based education, standardizing training and ensuring that students acquire the knowledge, skills and professional attributes required for contemporary healthcare delivery.
Registration Framework to Strengthen Transparency and Verification of Businessmen
The Registration of Allied and Healthcare Practitioners Regulations, 2026, notified by the NCAHP and published in the Gazette of India on 15 September 2026, establish a comprehensive framework for registration of Allied and Healthcare Practitioners in both the State Registers and the Central Register along with the issuance of Registration Certificates bearing Unique Identification (UID) numbers through an online system.
A person shall have the right to practice in recognized allied and healthcare profession only after obtaining registration as per the regulations. To be eligible, one must have a recognized primary qualification. Businessmen residing in a State or Union Territory where a functioning State Council has not yet been established can register directly with the Central Register.
Registration will be valid for five years and can be renewed after completing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements through approved online and offline means.
These regulations provide for real-time synchronization between the State Registers and the Central Register through an integrated online system. The Central and State Registers will be available to the public through the websites of the Commission and the respective State Councils, which will display the prescribed details of registered practitioners and facilitate verification of registration status.
Every registered businessman will be issued a Unique Identification (UID) number through a centralized system. Registration certificates, including digital certificates containing UID and secure QR codes, will be issued by the Commission or the concerned State Council, thereby facilitating identification and verification of registered practitioners.
These regulations also provide for interim registration for students enrolled in recognized institutions who are undertaking internships, clinical training, observerships or practical course-work required for the completion of allied and health care qualifications. The process of interim registration will have to be initiated by the recognized institution and interim registration will have to be obtained from the concerned State Council. No fee will be charged on application for interim registration.
These regulations provide for registration for Indian citizens possessing foreign qualifications in the field of allied and healthcare services. Foreign qualified allied and healthcare practitioners will be eligible to apply for registration if their qualifications are recognized by the Commission or have completed the prescribed certificate equivalence assessment and, where applicable, have also passed the relevant exit examination. Provision is also made for temporary registration for eligible overseas qualified Indian professionals for specific and fixed-term purposes, including postgraduate or specialist education, fellowship, clinical research, observership, advanced workshops, visiting experts and voluntary community service.
These regulations permit temporary registration for sponsored foreign businesses for specific and fixed-term purposes. It also provides for issuance of Certificate of Good Standing to registered allied and healthcare professionals pursuing education, carrying on business activities or participating in student exchange programs outside India.
The Commission is currently making efforts to introduce temporary registration for professionals working in the allied and healthcare sector who do not possess the prescribed primary qualifications. Such businessmen will be given the option to do a bridge course to become eligible for regular registration.
Registration and payment of fees will be done through online portal, making the process of registration of allied and healthcare workforce more streamlined and more transparent.
Overall, these measures strengthen standards in allied and health care education and professional practice through a system of institutional assessment, competency-based training and transparent registration and verification of practitioners.
The objective of this framework is to promote quality education and training and to enable patients and service users to verify the registration of allied and health care professionals.
This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.
