Maharashtra Resumes MMC Registration of CCMP-Qualified Homeopaths Amid Opposition From Resident Doctors

The Maharashtra Government has resumed the registration process with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) for homeopaths holding a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), just two days after putting the process on hold. The decision has drawn renewed opposition from modern medicine practitioners, while the issue remains sub judice before the Bombay High Court.

Government Revokes August 18 Suspension Order

The Department of Medical Education and Drugs has cancelled its letter dated August 18, 2026, through which the registration process for BHMS-CCMP practitioners had been kept on hold. The department has directed the MMC Registrar to take further action regarding registration of homeopaths with CCMP qualifications in accordance with the decision taken at the meeting held on July 28, 2026.

The registration process had been halted on August 18 with the stated position that it would remain suspended until a final decision was taken by the Bombay High Court or the Maharashtra Government. However, the department reversed that decision two days later and permitted the process to resume.

Medical Education Secretary Dhiraj Kumar said there was no requirement for fresh directions on August 18, as instructions based on the July 28 meeting were already available with the MMC. He also said the August 18 letter had been issued without the secretary’s approval and had created further confusion.

MMC Officials Express Frustration

The latest reversal has reportedly left Maharashtra Medical Council officials frustrated. One council official said the organisation had been facing protests as well as frequently changing government directives over the issue.

Another official said the council was liable to resume the registration process following the government’s latest instructions.

So far, the MMC has registered only one homeopath under the arrangement. The registration was issued on August 4, after the state government permitted homeopaths holding a CCMP qualification to register with the council and prescribe allopathic medicines. The registration process subsequently remained on hold, reportedly because of a technical glitch.

MARD Opposes Resumption of Registration

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has again strongly opposed the government’s decision to resume MMC registration of BHMS-CCMP practitioners.

In a press release issued by State President Dr Atharva Shinde, the association said it had not received a copy of the minutes or decision from the meeting held on July 28, 2026. MARD also said that the Maharashtra Medical Council had constituted a committee concerning the operational framework for BHMS-CCMP practitioners and was seeking written feedback on the proposed procedure.

MARD said these developments appeared to indicate a change in the government’s earlier position regarding CCMP. The association maintained that it does not support integrating BHMS practitioners into modern or allopathic medical practice under the CCMP scheme.

The association said its position was based on maintaining clear boundaries between medical systems, ensuring patient safety, preserving established standards of modern medical education and treatment, and protecting the interests of doctors holding MBBS, MD and MS qualifications.

Issue Remains Before Bombay High Court

MARD further stated that the matter is currently sub judice before the Bombay High Court and that any future course of action would be determined within constitutional and legal frameworks.

The association said it respects the decision-making process of the Maharashtra Government and the Bombay High Court. It added that new information regarding the government’s latest decision came to its attention at 8 pm on August 20, 2026, following which its executive committee would discuss the matter and determine an appropriate course of action.

MARD reiterated that it opposes the decision but would respect the legal process, the state government and the final verdict of the Bombay High Court.

Resident Doctors Raise Patient Safety Concerns

Dr Atharva Shinde said the issue was specific to Maharashtra and described the proposed arrangement as a form of mixopathy or cross-pathy. He said MARD had opposed the decision from the beginning and had earlier gone on strike on August 5 and 6.

According to Dr Shinde, the strike was withdrawn following the Bombay High Court’s suo motu proceedings. He said resident doctors had expected the government and judiciary to take constructive steps and noted that the August 18 decision to suspend registration had initially appeared to address those concerns.

However, he said the government subsequently cancelled the August 18 letter on August 20 and allowed the registration process to resume. He also stated that, at that point, no new registration had been issued and only one token registration had been granted.

Dr Shinde said MARD’s opposition was based on concerns regarding patient safety rather than economic considerations. He argued that permitting cross-pathy could have implications for public health.

MARD Seeks Strict Regulatory Mechanism

Dr Shinde said BHMS practitioners holding CCMP qualifications would be permitted to practise both homeopathy and allopathic medicine. He raised concerns about determining the cause of an adverse reaction if a patient receives medicines from both systems.

He said MARD had submitted suggestions to the government during the formulation of the standard operating procedure. These included an entrance and exit examination for the certificate course and a strict regulatory mechanism.

Dr Shinde also suggested that if even a single complaint of negligence is established, both the homeopathic and allopathic registrations of the practitioner should be cancelled.

MARD has indicated that it cannot proceed with another strike because of the Bombay High Court’s order. The association is now considering other constitutional and legal means of continuing its protest against the government’s decision.

Important Highlights

• Maharashtra has resumed MMC registration for homeopaths holding a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology.

• The Department of Medical Education and Drugs cancelled its August 18, 2026 letter that had put the registration process on hold.

• The MMC has so far registered only one homeopath under the arrangement, with the registration issued on August 4.

• The matter concerning BHMS-CCMP registration remains sub judice before the Bombay High Court.

• MARD has opposed the integration of BHMS practitioners into modern or allopathic medical practice under the CCMP scheme.

• MARD has raised patient safety concerns and sought strict regulatory mechanisms, including entrance and exit examinations for the certificate course.