Gujarat Clinical Establishments Amendment Bill 2026 passed unanimously in Assembly

The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed the Gujarat Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at streamlining the registration and regulation of medical institutions across the state.

The state government said the move will strengthen the quality of healthcare services while protecting citizens from fraudulent practices.

Explaining the intent behind the law, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the original Act was introduced in 2021 to support qualified medical practitioners and curb illegal practices by unqualified individuals. The law came into effect on September 13, 2022.

Under the Act, registration is mandatory for all healthcare facilities, ranging from small clinics to multi-speciality hospitals and laboratories. As of March 20, 2026, around 41,000 provisional registrations and nearly 2,000 permanent registrations have been completed across the state.

Key amendments focus on easing administrative processes. The earlier fixed deadline of April 30, 2026 for registration has now been removed. Instead, the state government will notify deadlines from time to time through official notifications, eliminating the need for repeated legislative changes.

Similarly, provisions related to provisional registrations have been revised. Earlier, provisional registrations could not be granted after September 12, 2026. Under the amendment, this cut-off will now be determined by the state government via notification.

The law also includes strict penalties for non-compliance. Medical institutions failing to meet requirements may face fines ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹5 lakh, along with possible cancellation of registration. Action will also be taken against establishments that fail to register within the prescribed time.

The government maintained that the revised framework will ensure better regulatory clarity, improve compliance, and enhance accountability in the healthcare sector, ultimately safeguarding patients’ interests.