The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCSIM) has unveiled the “National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Ethics and Registration) Regulations, 2023. These regulations provide a comprehensive framework aimed at regulating ethics and registration procedures within the Indian System of Medicine. These regulations were published on December 29, 2023.
The regulations outline guidelines for individuals qualifying the National Exit Test. These individuals are eligible for registration in both the State Register and National Register. Importantly, disqualification from these registers does not prevent the use of qualifications for other purposes.
Key features of the regulations include the requirement for individuals to apply for registration with the State Medical Council using a specified form, including Aadhaar details and other particulars. The State Medical Council is mandated to create an online platform for form submission in real-time, with accompanying registration fees determined by the council or board.
Certificates of registration, provisional registration, and temporary registration will be granted as per the forms and mechanisms specified by the State Medical Council. Fees for various types of registrations, including provisional, permanent, and additional qualifications, are also outlined.
The regulations also address the renewal of names from the State Register, requiring a mechanism for real-time communication to the Board. Practitioners above seventy years are exempted from renewal fees but must produce a life certificate annually. Failure to comply results in a notice and possible removal from the State Register.
Continuous Medical Education (CME) plays a crucial role, with practitioners needing a minimum of fifty credit points within five years for registration renewal. The State Medical Council will provide mechanisms for the cancellation of suspension of registration, with real-time communication to the Board.
Additionally, procedures for removal of names from the State Register, prohibition of dual registration, and the practice by foreign citizens with recognized qualifications are detailed in the regulations. Foreign citizens with recognized qualifications are required to obtain diplomatic permission for practice in India.
The regulations emphasize the right of practitioners to use titles or prefixes such as “Registered Medical Practitioner,” “Vaidya,” “Doctor,” “Hakim,” or “Vaidyar” based on their registration in the National Register and State Register.
