Andhra Pradesh Removes Registration Barriers to Attract Doctors from Across India

In a landmark decision, the Andhra Pradesh government has removed state-specific registration hurdles, allowing doctors from any part of India to practise in the state without needing separate registration or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their home-state medical council. The reform applies to MBBS graduates holding a recognised medical qualification and valid registration with any state or Union Territory medical council.

This move effectively dismantles a bureaucratic barrier that has long discouraged doctors, especially young graduates and specialists, from relocating to states with better opportunities. Andhra Pradesh currently has about 1.05 lakh registered doctors for a population of nearly 5 crore, giving it a doctor-population ratio of 1:811—better than the national average of 1:834 but still below the WHO benchmark of 1:1,000. The reform is expected to help address shortages in specialist care and strengthen the state's medical workforce.

The decision also highlights a broader issue in India: domicile-based preferences and local registration requirements often hinder professional mobility. While the Constitution guarantees the right to practise any profession across the country, states frequently impose procedural obstacles. For instance, to curb high attrition, Bihar recently made it mandatory for government doctors to complete three years of continuous service before becoming eligible for an NOC. Such requirements impose tangible costs on doctors seeking to relocate, including re-registration fees ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 and delays of weeks to obtain an NOC from a home-state council.

By eliminating these hurdles, Andhra Pradesh aims to attract medical talent from across India, enhancing its healthcare delivery and setting a precedent for other states to follow.