📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Joydeep
Health
West Bengal Medical Council Launches 17-Year Audit of Doctors Over Fake Registrations
✍️ NDTV
🗓 23 Sep 2026, 06:31 AM
👁 8
West Bengal’s Medical Council has initiated a comprehensive audit covering the past 17 years of practising doctors, prompted by allegations of fraudulent registrations.
The West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) announced on Monday that it will undertake a systematic audit of all practising doctors registered in the state over the last 17 years. The move aims to verify the authenticity of medical licences and to weed out any irregularities that may have arisen during the period.
The decision comes amid a growing controversy over alleged fake registrations, where several individuals are suspected of obtaining medical credentials without meeting the required qualifications. The council said the issue has raised concerns about patient safety and the credibility of the state's healthcare system.
Under the audit, the WBMC will review registration documents, qualification certificates, and renewal records of every doctor currently holding a licence. Officials plan to cross‑check these details with university archives and the National Medical Commission database. The process is expected to take several months, with periodic updates to be released to the public.
Council officials emphasized that the exercise is not punitive but preventive, intended to restore confidence among the public and the medical fraternity. Doctors found to have falsified credentials could face suspension or cancellation of their licences, along with legal action as per existing regulations.
Stakeholders, including medical associations and patient rights groups, have welcomed the initiative, noting that a transparent verification mechanism is essential for maintaining standards of care across West Bengal.
The decision comes amid a growing controversy over alleged fake registrations, where several individuals are suspected of obtaining medical credentials without meeting the required qualifications. The council said the issue has raised concerns about patient safety and the credibility of the state's healthcare system.
Under the audit, the WBMC will review registration documents, qualification certificates, and renewal records of every doctor currently holding a licence. Officials plan to cross‑check these details with university archives and the National Medical Commission database. The process is expected to take several months, with periodic updates to be released to the public.
Council officials emphasized that the exercise is not punitive but preventive, intended to restore confidence among the public and the medical fraternity. Doctors found to have falsified credentials could face suspension or cancellation of their licences, along with legal action as per existing regulations.
Stakeholders, including medical associations and patient rights groups, have welcomed the initiative, noting that a transparent verification mechanism is essential for maintaining standards of care across West Bengal.