Maharashtra Govt Halts BHMS Doctors' Registration in MMC After IMA and MARD Threaten Statewide Strike

12,500 BHMS-CCMP Doctors' Future Hangs on High Court: Medical Education Dept Pauses Registration Process

MUMBAI, Aug 21, 2026: In a major development in the ongoing battle over registration of homeopathy doctors, the Maharashtra Medical Education Department has decided to temporarily stop the registration of BHMS doctors in the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) till the final judgment of the Bombay High Court.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On August 3, 2026, the state government issued a Government Resolution (GR) to start conditional registration of BHMS doctors who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) in a separate register of the MMC.

This one-year course was started by MUHS in 2016 to address doctor shortage in rural areas. Over 12,500 homeopathy doctors in the state have completed it. One registration was done and around 2,500 applications were pending.

WHY DID GOVT TAKE A U-TURN?

The decision faced fierce opposition from IMA and Central MARD.IMA Maharashtra said CCMP is not approved by NMC, MCI, or NCH and dual registration is against medical rules. It threatened a nationwide agitation and announced a 24-hour shutdown from Aug 4-5.

Central MARD and 7,000+ resident doctors went on strike, boycotting OPDs in KEM, Sion, Nair, JJ and other hospitals. OPD attendance fell by 50%.

 The matter is sub judice in Bombay High Court, with final hearings on Aug 13-14.

Fearing collapse of the state's health system, the government formed a 6-member committee under Commissioner, Medical Education to frame rules for scope of practice, negligence inquiry, and ethics.

The Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance* of the strike and directed IMA and MARD to call off the strike and hold talks with the government. Following the court order, resident doctors resumed duties.

CURRENT SITUATION:

The Medical Education Department has now said that in view of the tense atmosphere and till proper legal procedure is finalized, the registration process will be kept on hold. 

 "It will not be appropriate to continue registration till the final decision of Bombay High Court comes," the department said.

So, while the controversy has cooled down temporarily, the future of BHMS-CCMP doctors now completely depends on the final verdict of the Bombay High Court.

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