- NCAHP notified the Autonomous Boards and Central Assessment Committee Regulations, 2026
- Autonomous Boards will have 10 to 20 members, including a President
- Central Assessment Committee will have 10 to 30 members, with a rotating President
- Inspection teams must have three members and prior State Council approval
- Members must disclose assets, liabilities and conflicts of interest
The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has notified new regulations to govern autonomous boards and a Central Assessment Committee. The rules fall under the NCAHP Act, 2021.
Autonomous boards and their roles
The regulations set up autonomous boards under State Allied and Healthcare Councils. Each board has defined duties in education, institutional assessment, professional ethics and registration.
Boards will have 10 to 20 members, including a President. Members must come from recognised allied and healthcare professional categories. The rules set out qualifications, experience, tenure and age limits. Members must also declare assets, liabilities and conflicts of interest.
The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Boards will help put standards into practice for recognised courses. They will also cover competency-based frameworks, faculty development, training and research. They will report to the State Council.
The Assessment and Rating Board will assess applications for recognition and Letters of Permission. It will inspect institutions, review annual disclosures and empanel assessors. Assessment and rating information will be published on the State Council website.
The Ethics and Registration Board will verify professionals’ documents and recommend registration. It will help maintain State registers and handle complaints and violations.
Tighter inspections and quality checks
Inspections will be carried out by three-member teams. Teams will include Board representatives and empanelled assessors, with prior approval of the State Council. Safeguards will bar inspections where a conflict of interest exists.
Inspection teams must check compliance with minimum standards. They must keep records and evidence, and file an Institution Verification Report.
The rating framework allows for continuous monitoring. It weighs compliance, academic excellence, innovative teaching, research output and impact, and student discipline. It also considers the learning environment, student feedback, participation in academic, sports and social activities, and sports and social facilities.
Central Assessment Committee for States without councils
Where no functional State Council exists, a Central Assessment Committee (CAC) will take over. It will work under NCAHP’s overall supervision, with help from the NCAHP Secretariat.
The CAC will have 10 to 30 members, including a President. It will cover States and Union Territories, especially areas without functional State Councils. It will perform the functions of autonomous boards. Its President will be appointed annually on a rotational basis across professions.
Members can be removed for conflict of interest, breach of code, abuse of position or other specified reasons. They will get an opportunity to be heard first.
Aim of the new framework
NCAHP says the framework aims to strengthen standardisation, accountability, transparency and quality assurance. It also builds on the Registration of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Regulations, 2026, notified earlier. The commission says this will make registration in the Central and State registers smoother and more transparent.
