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| Dr. Yagna Unmesh Shukla |
New Delhi: The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued a strong directive to all States and Union Territories (UTs) to expedite the formation or reconstitution of their respective State Allied and Healthcare Councils, as per the requirements of the NCAHP Act, 2021.
11 States and UTs Yet to Form Councils
According to the official letter issued by NCAHP Chairperson Dr. Yagna Unmesh Shukla on July 17, 2025, the following States and UTs have failed to constitute their councils despite repeated notices and an extended deadline of November 2, 2024:
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Chandigarh
- Chhattisgarh
- Delhi
- Haryana
- Jharkhand
- Ladakh
- Lakshadweep
- Puducherry
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
11 Existing Councils Found Non-Compliant
Another 11 States/UTs have been identified as having constituted their State Allied and Healthcare Councils in violation of the NCAHP Act’s provisions:
- Assam
- Bihar
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Punjab
- Rajasthan
- Sikkim
- West Bengal
Reasons for Non-Conformity
The letter outlined key violations that rendered these councils non-compliant:
- Incorrect Appointment of Chairpersons: Medical doctors were appointed as Chairpersons instead of allied healthcare professionals, violating Section 22(3)(a).
- Ineligible Council Members: Medical doctors were nominated as members instead of professionals from allied health fields, violating Sections 22(3)(e) & (f).
- Improper Representation: Nominees do not match the categories laid out in the Act’s schedule.
Key Directives from NCAHP
To rectify the situation, the NCAHP has issued the following mandates to all States and UTs:
- Form councils immediately in the 11 non-compliant regions.
- Reconstitute non-conforming councils with qualified Chairpersons and members.
- Repeal existing councils and laws that conflict with the NCAHP Act, 2021.
- Notify rules under Section 68(2) of the Act for implementation.
Central Government’s Position
The NCAHP Act, 2021, takes precedence over all state-level legislations related to allied and healthcare professions. The NCAHP emphasized that failure to comply would undermine the goal of national standardization, regulation, and accountability in allied health education and practice.
Source: National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
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