Aadhaar-Linked Database Sees Sluggish Response
New Delhi: Registrations on the National Medical Register (NMR) — a centralised Aadhaar-linked database of doctors launched by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in August 2024 — remain sluggish, with less than 1% of India’s 13 lakh doctors enrolled by May 2025.
NMC Chief Admits Delay, Sets Six-Month Target
Acknowledging the slow progress, NMC chief Dr. Abhijat Sheth said enrolments will be “substantially sped up within six months” through closer coordination with State Medical Councils and by leveraging AI and IT tools.
“We already have a database of over 13 lakh doctors in the Indian Medical Register. The NMR is an upscaling of this database and requires faster IT processes and better coordination with state councils,” he told PTI.
NMR Launched to Create Authentic Doctor Database
The NMR portal, launched by Union Health Minister JP Nadda on August 23, 2024, aims to provide an authentic nationwide database of all allopathic doctors. Its key feature is Aadhaar linkage, which ensures the authenticity of individual practitioners.
Voluntary Registration, Says Government
Earlier, Union Minister of State for Health Dr. Anupriya Patel informed Parliament that NMR registration is voluntary. Doctors must apply through the portal, after which the application is screened by the State Medical Council before being forwarded to NMC for final approval. She also noted that NMC has urged all State Medical Councils to accelerate verification and registration efforts.
Current Status and Future Outlook
Despite repeated pushes, only a fraction of doctors (less than 1%) have signed up so far. However, the NMC chief has expressed confidence that the next six months will see a “substantial increase” in registrations as technology and coordination mechanisms improve.
