Maharashtra Launches ‘Know Your Doctor’ QR Code To Verify Registered Doctors

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The Maharashtra government has introduced a new QR code-based verification platform, ‘Know Your Doctor’, to help citizens identify genuine medical practitioners and prevent fraudulent medical practice across the state.

Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif announced the initiative in the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. He said citizens can now scan a QR code to instantly verify whether a doctor holds a valid registration and is legally authorised to practise medicine.

The Minister announced while responding to a question raised by MLA Vijay Deshmukh regarding action against unauthorised medical practitioners in Solapur district.

Mushrif said Maharashtra currently has nearly 1.40 lakh registered doctors delivering healthcare services. He added that around 12,824 MBBS graduates join the state’s healthcare workforce every year, strengthening medical services across regions.

The Minister explained that bogus doctors include individuals who practise without mandatory registration in fields such as MBBS, postgraduate medical education, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani and Dental Sciences.

Between 2015 and 2026, authorities registered 89 criminal cases against unauthorised practitioners across Maharashtra.

To strengthen monitoring, the government has established district-level committees under District Collectors and taluka-level committees under Tehsildars.

Mushrif announced that the government will soon restructure these committees to include local public representatives and improve oversight.

The Minister highlighted strict legal provisions against illegal medical practice.

Under National Medical Commission guidelines, offenders can face imprisonment of up to one year or fines reaching Rs 50 lakh.

Under the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, first-time offenders can face up to two years in prison or financial penalties.

Repeat offenders may receive rigorous imprisonment of up to ten years.

Mushrif also said the government supports amendments to the PC-PNDT Act to ensure harsher punishment for individuals who endanger public health and safety.

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Pragati Upadhyay

I report stories and occasionally rescue facts from chaos. By profession, I’m a journalist; by conviction, a social worker who believes words should move people, not just headlines. I question power, celebrate ordinary heroes, and sometimes irritate the comfortable. If truth had a shift, I’d probably be working overtime.