On July 29, 2025, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Union Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Education, Skill Development, the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and all States and Union Territories, on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP).
The PIL filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeks effective implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 (NCAHP Act). The petitioners have urged the Court to direct the respondents to establish the State Allied and Healthcare Councils, create autonomous boards under Section 29, and formulate a code of ethics and registration/licensing framework for allied healthcare professionals.
The plea highlights the continued regulatory vacuum in the allied healthcare sector despite the NCAHP Act being in force since May 2021. It points to significant delays in setting up statutory bodies and councils meant to govern physiotherapists, medical technologists, radiographers, nutritionists, and other allied health workers, resulting in substandard practices, lack of professional recognition, and variations in education and licensure.
Appearances:
Petitioner: Dr Anindita Pujari Senior Advocate along with Rohit kumar Advocate on Record; Shaileshwar Yadav; Sandeep Goyal; Shailendra Singh; Harshvardhan Mall Vishen