The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, is an Act passed by Parliament in the Seventy-second Year of the Republic of India. The Act aims to provide for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by allied and healthcare professionals, assessment of institutions, maintenance of a Central Register and State Register, and creation of a system to improve access, research, and development, as well as adoption of latest scientific advancements.

The Commission shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Part-time Members. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall hold office for a term not exceeding two years from the date on which they enter upon their office. The salaries and allowances payable to, and other conditions of service of, the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

The Commission has several functions, including framing policies and standards for governance of allied and healthcare-related education and professional services, regulating professional conduct, code of ethics, and etiquette, creating and maintaining an up-to-date online and live Central Register with details of academic qualifications, training, skill, and competencies of allied and healthcare professionals, providing scope of practice of each profession, and promoting innovations in categories.

The Commission shall also maintain a National Allied and Healthcare Professionals' Register, which shall contain information including the name of persons and qualifications relating to any of their respective recognised categories. The Central Register shall be deemed to be a public document within the meaning of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

The Act provides for recognition of allied and healthcare institutions and reciprocity. Permission for establishment of new allied and healthcare institutions, new courses of study, etc., is granted by the Central Government. The Commission has the power to require information from allied and healthcare institutions.

The Act also provides for finance, accounts, and audit. Grants are made by the Central Government, and a National Allied and Healthcare Fund is established. Accounts and audit of the Commission and State Councils shall be conducted.

Penalties for offences under this Act include penalty for falsely claiming to be entered in the Central Register and State Register, misuse of titles, failure to surrender certificate of registration, and contravention of provisions of the Act.