A Major Proposal for Healthcare Workforce Mobility
NITI Aayog has proposed interstate licence portability for healthcare professionals, aiming to make it easier for registered professionals to practise across different states without repeatedly completing registration procedures or obtaining No Objection Certificates.
The proposal is part of NITI Aayog’s report India’s Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services and focuses on reducing regulatory barriers while improving healthcare workforce mobility.
Why Licence Portability Matters
Healthcare professionals currently face different registration requirements across states. Doctors, nurses and allied health professionals may have to submit fresh applications, provide documentation and obtain NOCs when moving to another state.
NITI Aayog has highlighted Maharashtra as one example where doctors registered in another state may need to submit a fresh application along with an NOC from their original state council.
Such processes can delay professional movement and make it harder for healthcare institutions to quickly access skilled manpower.
A National Licence Registry Could Change the Process
NITI Aayog has proposed establishing a national licence registry supported by Mutual Recognition Agreements among state councils.
Under the proposed system, registration decisions made by one state council could be recognised by another. An automatic approval route could potentially eliminate repeated registrations and reduce dependence on physical documentation and NOCs.
This could create a more seamless regulatory environment for healthcare professionals moving between states.
Potential Benefits for Underserved Areas
One of the biggest potential advantages is improved access to healthcare professionals in regions facing workforce shortages.
Greater mobility could allow doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals to move more easily toward areas where their skills are needed. Hospitals could also have greater flexibility when recruiting specialists and healthcare staff.
For patients, better distribution of healthcare professionals could ultimately support more equitable access to medical services.
The Proposal Covers More Than Doctors
The proposed reforms are not limited to medical practitioners. NITI Aayog has highlighted the need to improve mobility for doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals.
The report also calls for full implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, noting that implementation remains incomplete across several states and Union Territories.
NExT Also Remains a Key Recommendation
Alongside licence portability, NITI Aayog has called for the expeditious implementation of the National Exit Test (NExT).
The proposed examination is intended to create a standardised competency assessment and support a transparent, merit based licensing system for medical graduates. NITI Aayog believes this could also strengthen the credibility of Indian medical qualifications domestically and internationally.
What About International Mobility?
NITI Aayog has also recommended pursuing Mutual Recognition Agreements internationally to improve the mobility of Indian healthcare professionals.
Such agreements could help create clearer pathways for qualified professionals seeking to practise overseas, while streamlined licensing pathways could make it easier for eligible foreign professionals to practise in India.
What Could This Mean for India’s Healthcare System?
If implemented effectively, interstate licence portability could reduce administrative delays, improve workforce flexibility and help healthcare institutions respond more quickly to regional shortages.
However, the proposal is not yet an enforceable nationwide licence. Implementation would require coordination among the Union government, national regulators and state councils, along with appropriate changes to existing regulatory processes.
