Nagaland simplifies registration of healthcare practitioners

DIMAPUR, SEP 21 (NPN): The Department of Health & Family Welfare has introduced a simplified registration mechanism for medical, dental, AYUSH, pharmacy, nursing and allied healthcare practitioners seeking to practise in Nagaland, dispensing with the requirement to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their existing State or Union Territory Council.
The Nagaland Simplification of Healthcare Practitioners Registration Notification, 2026 aims to simplify registration and enrolment with the respective State Councils and facilitate the mobility of qualified healthcare professionals within the State.
The notification applies to persons possessing recognised qualifications in medical, dental, AYUSH, pharmacy, nursing or allied healthcare and holding valid registration with any State or Union Territory Council in India.
Under the new mechanism, eligible practitioners may practise in Nagaland subject to enrolment with the respective Council in the State. Applicants are required to submit copies of their recognised qualification, proof of valid registration with their parent State or UT Council and a prescribed self-declaration to the concerned Council in Nagaland.
Applications will be processed through the respective Council’s dedicated online portal or offline where the portal is not operational. The concerned Council is required to grant a registration number within seven working days from receipt of the application. Practitioners may commence practice upon grant of the registration number, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
The notification provides for subsequent verification of the credentials submitted by applicants. The respective Councils will independently verify the qualification and registration particulars with the parent or presently registered State/UT Council.
Such verification is to be completed within 30 days from the date of grant of the registration number. The registration will remain provisional during the verification period.
If verification establishes that the qualification or registration is not genuine, has been suspended or cancelled, or is otherwise invalid, the concerned Council may cancel the registration after providing the practitioner a reasonable opportunity to be heard. The cancellation is to be issued through a written order.
The notification further states that submission of any false, misleading or fabricated self-declaration may invite disciplinary action by the parent Council and/or the concerned Nagaland Council under applicable Council Acts, Rules, Regulations and Codes of Professional Conduct.
Such conduct may also attract prosecution under applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and other laws in force.
The simplified registration mechanism does not exempt practitioners from professional and legal obligations applicable to their respective fields. Those registered under the new procedure will continue to be governed by the relevant Council Acts, Rules and Regulations, professional ethics, disciplinary procedures and other applicable laws.