'Conversion therapy' is professional misconduct- TN medical council warns doctors of license suspension
Medical Council
Chennai: Doctors performing conversion therapy and unethical treatment of trans persons would attract severe action, including suspension of the registration of medical practitioners, the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) informed the Madras High Court recently.
The Medical Council informed that circulars have been sent in this regard to all the registered medical practitioners, and these issues would also be brought into the framework of continuing medical education (CME) to sensitise the doctors.
The state medical council made these submissions before the HC bench comprising Justice N Anand Venkatesh during the proceedings of the petitions relating to LGBTQIA+ issues.
As per the latest media report by The New Indian Express, the counsel appearing for the medical council informed the Court that the circulars were sent out on September 12, 2025, notifying that the TNMC is conferred with powers to take disciplinary action on any complaint received with regard to any attempt/interventions to change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person, which is commonly referred to as 'conversion therapy'.
TNMC's counsel informed that such interventions or attempts will be contrued as 'professional misconduct' on the part of the medical professionals and appropriate action shall be taken in accordance with the existing rules.
In the circular, TNMC informed the doctors that in compliance of the directions issued by the Madras High Court in its order dated 08.07.2022, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC issued notifications to all State Medical Councils asking them to incorporate issue of conversion therapy of LGBTQIA+ community group as professional misconduct under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulation, 2002.
"According to the above said Notification and as per the directions issued by the Honourable High Court of Madras on 02.09.2022 in W.P. No. 7284 of 2021, it is hereby notified to all the Registered Medical Practitioners that Tamilnadu State Medical Council is conferred with powers to take disciplinary action on any complaint received with regard to any attempt/ interventions to change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person, which is commonly referred to as “Conversion Therapy”, which will be construed as a professional misconduct on the part of the medical professionals and appropriate action shall be taken in accordance with the existing rules," TNMC mentioned in a circular.
As per the circulars, any form of the so-called conversion therapy or coercive medical/psychological practice aimed at altering a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics is strictly prohibited, and such practices are considered unethical and may invite disciplinary action under TNMC regulations.
It mentioned that all the medical practitioners have a professional and ethical duty to provide healthcare without discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, or intersex status. Respectful, dignified, and inclusive care must be ensured at all stages of medical interaction, it said.
Mentioning that the ethics committee of the council will treat complaints of misconduct or discriminatory behaviour towards transgender and intersex persons as priority disciplinary matters, the council issued directions to all registered medical practitioners to adhere strictly to these guidelines in letter and spirit, and clarified that non-compliance would be viewed seriously and may attract disciplinary action, including suspension of registration.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in an attempt to remove the stigma and prejudices associated with the LGBTQIA+ community, the Madras HC suggested a slew of measures, which included cancelling the license of medical professionals for any involvement in any form or method of conversion "therapy".
In its order dated 08.07.2022, the HC bench directed the NMC to enlist "Conversion Therapy" as professional misconduct. The court issued this direction to NMC as it took note of the submission by the petitioner's counsel, who referred to various suggestions about the conversion practices and the scope of prohibiting such practices. Reference was also made to the Legislation that is available in two other countries in this regard and also to the United Nations report of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Consequently, complying with the HC order, NMC decided to hold "Conversion Therapy" as a professional misconduct under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2022.
Also Read: NMC declares Conversion therapy as professional misconduct under IMC Regulations
