NMC Proposes Unique ID for Doctors, Single Licence to Practise Across India
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed a new system under which registered medical practitioners could receive a Unique Identification (UID) Number linked to the National Medical Register (NMR).
Under the proposed framework, doctors could practise medicine across India without obtaining fresh registration and a separate licence in every state, subject to the final regulations.
Important: This Is a Draft Proposal
The UID and single-licence system is currently a draft proposal and is not yet a final implemented rule. The NMC issued the draft amendment regulations on 11 August 2026 and invited stakeholders to submit objections and suggestions.
NMC Proposes Unique ID for Doctors
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed a new registration framework that could introduce a Unique Identification (UID) Number for registered medical practitioners.
The proposal is part of the draft Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, issued by the NMC's Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) on 11 August 2026.
The proposed framework aims to improve coordination between the National Medical Register and State Medical Registers and create a more centralised system for tracking doctors' registration, licence status and disciplinary actions.
Table of Contents
What Is the NMC's New UID Proposal?
Under the proposed system, a doctor would first be registered with the concerned State Medical Council. After this registration, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC would centrally generate a Unique Identification Number for the practitioner.
The UID would be associated with the doctor's registration in the National Medical Register (NMR).
Proposed UID System at a Glance
| Particular | Proposed System |
|---|---|
| UID Generated By | EMRB, NMC |
| State Registration | Through concerned State Medical Council |
| National Register | National Medical Register (NMR) |
| UID Purpose | Identification and registration of doctors |
| Practice Eligibility | Across India after UID allocation |
| State-National Records | Electronic synchronisation proposed |
| Licence Status | Active / Inactive status to be recorded |
| Disciplinary Records | Proposed to be centrally recorded |
One Licence to Practise Across India
One of the most significant proposals is that a doctor who has received State Medical Council registration and a UID in the National Medical Register would be eligible to practise medicine in any State or Union Territory of India.
The draft specifically proposes that such a practitioner would not need fresh registration or a separate licence to practise medicine in another state or Union Territory.
Who Could Benefit?
Could reduce registration-related administrative requirements when moving between states for employment.
Could make professional practice across different states more streamlined.
Could reduce the need for separate state-level registration when professional opportunities require relocation.
National Medical Register to Track Licence Status
The proposed changes would also expand the information maintained in the National Medical Register (NMR).
Central Tracking of Disciplinary Action
Another important aspect of the proposal is the central tracking of disciplinary proceedings against doctors.
The draft proposes that the National Medical Register would act as a central repository for registration details as well as disciplinary proceedings and orders involving suspension, removal, restoration or other regulatory action issued by State Medical Councils, EMRB or NMC.
What Could Be Centrally Recorded?
How the Proposed Synchronised System Could Work
Registration and applicable regulatory action are recorded at the state level.
The proposed system would electronically synchronise information between state and national registers.
Relevant registration and disciplinary information could be maintained centrally.
Example of the Proposed System
If disciplinary action affects a doctor's licence in one state, the proposed synchronised system could make the relevant information visible in the national and state registers rather than keeping the information isolated.
NMC UID Proposal: Key Points So Far
How Will the New Registration Process Work?
The draft proposes a Unified Registration Portal through the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the NMC.
Proposed Registration Flow
Application
Doctor submits the registration application through the proposed unified system.
State Medical Council Verification
The concerned State Medical Council verifies the application and applicable requirements.
Registration & Licence
The State Medical Council grants registration and licence according to applicable requirements.
UID Generation
EMRB would centrally generate the Unique Identification Number.
National Medical Register
Registration details would be reflected in the State Medical Register and National Medical Register.
| Stage | Proposed Process |
|---|---|
| Application | Application through the proposed Unified Registration Portal under EMRB, NMC |
| Verification | Verification by the concerned State Medical Council |
| Registration & Licence | State Medical Council grants registration and licence according to applicable requirements |
| UID | UID would be generated centrally by EMRB |
| National Record | Details would be reflected in the State Medical Register and National Medical Register |
What About Existing Doctors?
The proposed framework also addresses doctors who are already registered but do not have a UID in the National Medical Register.
The draft proposes a process for existing registered medical practitioners to update their details and obtain a UID through the EMRB system.
Existing Registration
Applies to doctors who are already registered but do not have a UID in the National Medical Register.
Update Details
Existing practitioners would be able to update their details through the proposed EMRB system.
UID Generation
A UID could then be obtained through the proposed centralised framework.
What Could Change for Doctors?
If the proposal is eventually implemented, doctors could benefit from a more streamlined registration system.
No Fresh Registration
No need for fresh medical registration when moving to another state, if the proposed system is implemented in its proposed form.
National Identification
A single national identification framework for registered doctors.
Easier Verification
Easier verification of registration and licence status.
Better Coordination
Better coordination between State Medical Councils and the NMC.
Centralised Records
Centralised records of disciplinary proceedings could improve regulatory coordination.
Professional Status Monitoring
Improved monitoring of doctors' professional registration and licence status.
Potential Impact for Multi-State Practitioners
For doctors working across multiple states, the proposed system could significantly reduce administrative requirements associated with obtaining separate registrations.
NMC UID Proposal: Registration in Simple Steps
Is the NMC UID System Final?
No. The proposed UID and single-licence framework is currently a draft proposal and has not yet been implemented as a final regulatory system.
The NMC issued the draft amendment regulations on 11 August 2026 and invited stakeholders to submit objections and suggestions.
What Does the Proposal Mean for Doctors?
If implemented in its proposed form, the new framework could significantly change how doctors' registration and licence information is managed across India.
Single National Identity
Doctors could have a UID linked with their registration in the National Medical Register.
Easier Inter-State Practice
The proposed system could allow registered doctors to practise across India without fresh state registration.
Centralised Licence Records
Registration and licence status could be maintained through the National Medical Register.
Better Regulatory Coordination
State Medical Councils and NMC could have synchronised registration and regulatory information.
Central Disciplinary Record
Disciplinary proceedings and applicable orders could be centrally recorded.
Easier Verification
A centralised system could make verification of registration and professional status more streamlined.
What Doctors Should Watch Next
Existing System vs Proposed UID Framework
| Area | Proposed Change |
|---|---|
| Doctor Identification | UID linked with National Medical Register |
| State Registration | State registration followed by central UID generation |
| Inter-State Practice | Fresh registration in another state proposed to be unnecessary |
| Licence Status | Proposed central recording of active / inactive status |
| Disciplinary Records | Proposed central repository through NMR |
NMC UID for Doctors: What to Know
The NMC's proposed UID framework could represent a major change in the way medical registration is managed in India. The proposal aims to create a centralised identification system linked with the National Medical Register and simplify practice across different states.
It also proposes electronic synchronisation between State Medical Registers and the National Medical Register, along with central tracking of licence status and disciplinary proceedings.
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