Supreme Court Pushes for Implementation of Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021

The Supreme Court of India has recently intervened in the implementation process of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021. The Court has issued a directive to the National Commission and various state governments to file compliance affidavits detailing the progress made in establishing State Councils. This judicial intervention underscores the growing concern over the lack of a robust regulatory framework for allied and healthcare professionals, who form the backbone of India’s clinical and diagnostic services. The 2021 Act was enacted to provide for the regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by allied and healthcare professionals. It aims to bring transparency, accountability, and professional standards to a sector that has historically remained fragmented and largely unregulated. The establishment of State Councils is a critical prerequisite for the registration of professionals and the enforcement of uniform standards across the country. However, the persistent delay by several states in constituting these bodies has created a regulatory vacuum, hindering the effective delivery of healthcare services and the professional recognition of millions of practitioners.