The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has clarified that there are no separate rules or regulations mandating the issuance of a No Objection Certificate for medical practitioners seeking to practice in the Union Territory.
According to the clarification issued in Sri Vijaya Puram, any medical practitioner holding a valid registration from a recognised State Medical Council or the National Medical Commission is eligible to practice in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands without obtaining any additional clearance from the Health Department of the Union Territory.
Officials stated that the clarification has been issued to address confusion among practitioners regarding regulatory requirements for medical practice in the islands. The administration emphasised that existing national registration norms are sufficient and that no parallel approval mechanism exists at the Union Territory level.
The clarification applies uniformly to all eligible medical practitioners, regardless of whether they are employed in government facilities, private hospitals or individual practice settings, provided their registration remains valid under the applicable medical council.
Health officials indicated that the absence of a separate NOC requirement is intended to facilitate smoother availability of medical professionals in the islands, where access to healthcare services can be affected by geographic isolation and manpower constraints. By relying on national and state-level registration systems, the administration aims to avoid procedural delays that could discourage practitioners from taking up assignments in the territory.
The administration also noted that regulatory oversight of medical practice continues to rest with the respective State Medical Councils and the National Medical Commission, which are responsible for maintaining standards, addressing professional misconduct and ensuring compliance with medical ethics.
The clarification is expected to benefit both practitioners and healthcare institutions by removing ambiguity around compliance requirements. Hospitals and clinics have been advised to verify registration credentials through established medical councils rather than seeking additional approvals from local authorities.
Officials said the move aligns with broader efforts to streamline administrative processes and improve healthcare delivery in the islands by ensuring that qualified professionals can begin practice without avoidable procedural hurdles.
Residents and healthcare providers were advised to rely on official notifications for regulatory guidance and to seek clarification from the Health Department in case of any uncertainty regarding eligibility or registration requirements.
