Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Gujarat Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill-2026 without opposition, with the state government stating that the amendment will simplify the registration process of medical institutions while ensuring quality healthcare services and preventing fraud.

Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, while speaking in the House, said the amendment has been brought to make the registration and regulation process of clinical establishments more efficient and administratively convenient.

He said the original law was enacted in 2021 to provide legal backing to qualified medical practitioners and to regulate diagnosis and treatment carried out by unqualified persons. The Act has been in force since September 13, 2022.

Under the Act, registration is mandatory for all medical institutions, from small clinics to multi-specialty hospitals and laboratories. As of March 20, 2026, around 41,000 temporary registrations and about 2,000 permanent registrations have been granted in the state.

Amendment in Registration Deadline

The minister said that under the earlier provision, the deadline for registration was fixed till April 30, 2026. As per the amendment, the state government will now be able to fix the deadline for registration from time to time through a notification in the Official Gazette. Medical institutions will be required to complete registration within the time limit specified by the government.

He said this change will remove the need to amend the law repeatedly whenever the deadline needs to be extended.

Change in Provision for Provisional Registration

Under the earlier provision, provisional registration could not be granted after September 12, 2026. As per the amendment, provisional registration will now continue until the date notified by the state government, providing administrative flexibility.

Penalty for Non-Registration

The minister said that the law provides for strict action against institutions that fail to obtain registration within the prescribed time. A penalty ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹5 lakh can be imposed, and registration may also be cancelled in case of violations.

He said the amendment will ensure administrative simplicity without creating any legal complications.

Praful Pansheriya said the government is committed to maintaining the quality of health services in the state and ensuring that citizens do not fall victim to fraud or treatment by unqualified practitioners.

The minister expressed confidence that the amended law will strengthen regulation of clinical establishments while protecting the interests of patients. DeshGujarat