Karnataka Passes Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2025: Key Highlights

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has passed the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Legislative Assembly, introducing significant changes to the registration and regulation of private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centres across the state.

One of the major provisions in the bill is the introduction of a provisional registration system. Under this system, private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres will be issued a provisional registration certificate within 10 days of applying, without any inspection. The provisional registration will be valid for six months and can be renewed, but only for a limited period once government standards are notified.

Under this Bill, provisional registration cannot be extended beyond one year from the date the standards are notified by the government or from the date the Amendment Act comes into force, whichever is later.

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According to the bill, "On receipt of applications, the registration and grievance redressal authority shall within period of ten days grant to the applicant a provisional registration certificate in such Form, containing such particulars, as may be prescribed without any inquiry. The provisional certificate of registration shall be valid for six months subject to renewal thereafter. On receipt of application for renewal of provisional registration the registration and grievance redressal authority, in respect of which standards have been notified or specified by the Government, shall not renew provisional registration beyond, the period of one year from the date of notification of standards or from the date of commencement of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025 whichever is later.''

Permanent registration, once granted, will be valid for five years. Renewal applications must be submitted 90 days before expiry. Authorities will also have the power to inspect establishments and ask them to fix any violations within a given timeframe.

Further, the bill also stated that the registration and grievance redressal authority should publish the list of expired Private Medical Establishments that were provisionally registered.

For the first time, mental health establishments, including psychiatric hospitals and mental health clinics, will come under the Act. These facilities will now have to register and follow the same rules as other private medical establishments.

To strengthen monitoring, the Bill makes permanent registration mandatory after provisional approval. Private establishments applying for permanent registration must meet basic requirements, including proper infrastructure, cleanliness, qualified doctors and trained paramedical staff. They must also be registered on the e-DAR portal to share patient data and medical reports in road accident cases.

Hospitals with quality accreditation will get faster approvals. Those accredited by agencies such as NABH, NQAS, QAI or certified by the Quality Council of India (QCI) will be granted registration or renewal within 10 days, without any inspection.

The amendment also introduces strict punishment for employing unqualified staff. Any private medical establishment found appointing unqualified doctors or paramedical personnel can face up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh upon conviction.

"In case a private medical establishment employs or appoints any unqualified medical officer or paramedical staff, such private medical establishment shall on conviction be liable for an imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees," mentioned the bill.

At the district level, the Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority will now include representatives from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical associations or AYUSH practitioners. The Authority will be headed by the Deputy Commissioner, with the District Health and Family Welfare Officer as the Member Secretary. Members will also include the District AYUSH Officer, one IMA representative, one representative from another medical association, and a woman member when grievance redressal matters are taken up.

"No new Private Clinical Laboratory shall be permitted within a radius of 200 meters from the Government Hospital or from the Hospital promoted or managed by a society or trust or autonomous organization owned or controlled by the State Government or Central Government or Local Bodies with effect from the date of commencement of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2017," adds the bill.

To check the bill, click on the link below:

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