The Government of Karnataka has enacted the Karnataka Medical Registration (Amendment) Act, 2025, officially published in the Karnataka Gazette Extraordinary on September 9, 2025, and now in effect.
The amendment marks a significant legislative update to the Karnataka Medical Registration Act, 1961, particularly targeting the provisions related to penalties for violations under the Act.
🔍 Key Highlights:
- Amendment to Section 28:
The amended Act replaces the earlier fine structure under Section 28, which previously imposed:- ₹10,000 fine for first-time conviction.
- ₹1,00,000 fine for repeat offences.
- The new amendment aligns the penalty provisions with Section 36 of the Karnataka Ayurvedic, Naturopathy, Siddha, Unani and Yoga Practitioners’ Registration and Medical Practitioners’ Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1961 (Karnataka Act 9 of 1962).
- Legal Consistency Across Medical Systems:
This legislative change seeks to harmonize the penalty framework between allopathy and AYUSH systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Naturopathy) by bringing parity in enforcement mechanisms for professional misconduct or violation of registration norms.
⚖️ Implications:
- This move promotes uniform regulatory compliance across different streams of medicine under state jurisdiction.
- Medical professionals registered under the Karnataka Medical Registration Act, 1961 must now ensure awareness of Section 36 of the AYUSH Act, as it directly governs the revised penalties.
📅 Effective Date:
The Act comes into force immediately, following the Governor’s assent on September 9, 2025.
For registered medical practitioners, medical institutions, and legal professionals, it is important to take note of this change and review the relevant provisions under the AYUSH Act to stay compliant.