The National Council for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has introduced new regulations to establish state-level bodies responsible for regulating allied health science courses, educational institutions, and professional registrations. These measures aim to bring uniformity and quality control to allied and healthcare training across India.
- Four autonomous boards will be created under State Allied and Healthcare Councils (SAHC).
- The boards will oversee undergraduate and postgraduate education, institute assessments, and professional ethics.
- The Central Assessment Committee (CAC) will manage states and union territories without functioning councils.
- Inspection teams will evaluate educational institutions based on multiple criteria including academic excellence and student engagement.
- Board members serve two-year terms and must declare assets and conflicts of interest.
What are the new regulations introduced by NCAHP?
The NCAHP has notified regulations to form four autonomous boards within State Allied and Healthcare Councils (SAHC). These boards include the Undergraduate Education Board, Postgraduate Education Board, Assessment and Rating Board, and Ethics and Registration Board. Their roles are to implement academic standards, evaluate institutions, and maintain professional ethics and registration.
How will states without councils be managed?
For states and union territories that have not yet established their own councils, the Central Assessment Committee (CAC) of the NCAHP will temporarily oversee regulatory responsibilities. This ensures that all regions maintain consistent standards even before local councils are formed.
What responsibilities do the autonomous boards have?
The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education Boards will facilitate the implementation of competency-based curricula, faculty development, and research initiatives. The Assessment and Rating Board will evaluate applications from educational institutions, conduct inspections, and identify areas for improvement. The Ethics and Registration Board will maintain registers of professionals and enforce ethical guidelines.
How will educational institutions be inspected?
Inspections will be conducted by three-member teams consisting of board representatives and empanelled assessors. They will assess compliance with standards, academic quality, innovative teaching methods, research output, student discipline, learning environment, and availability of extracurricular facilities.
What is the term and accountability of board members?
Each board will have between 10 to 20 members, while the CAC can have up to 30 members. Members are appointed for two-year terms and can be reappointed for two consecutive terms. They are required to declare their assets, liabilities, and any conflicts of interest to ensure transparency and accountability.
Why are these regulations important for allied health sciences?
The allied and healthcare professions have been largely unregulated, leading to disparities in course structures, faculty shortages, and inconsistent professional standards. By establishing these regulations, NCAHP aims to standardize education, improve institutional accountability, and enhance the quality of healthcare training nationwide.
What challenges remain in implementing NCAHP’s directives?
Despite the new regulations, implementation has been uneven across states. Some states have yet to form their councils, delaying enforcement of standards. Additionally, universities and colleges face challenges such as course disparities, faculty shortages, and the prevalence of diploma programs that may not meet new quality benchmarks.
Overall, the NCAHP’s regulatory framework represents a significant step toward improving allied health education and professional standards in India, with a focus on decentralised governance through state councils and a structured approach to assessment and ethics.
