In the absence of a transparent, centrally regulated registration and renewal system, the credibility and accountability of the nursing workforce is compromised. A fragmented process created problems:

  • For graduates and professionals: Long waits for first-time registration or recurring delays in renewals reduce employability and hinder career progression.
  • For patients and the public: Professionals practicing without up-to-date credentials compromise patient safety and undermine trust in the healthcare system.
  • For regulators: Fragmented record-keeping makes it difficult to monitor workforce standards, enforce accountability, and ensure compliance across the sector.

The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) Act, 2023 mandates maintaining a 34 national register in a digital form containing the name, address, and all recognised qualifications possessed by a nursing professional, midwifery professional, nursing associate, midwifery associate. A centralized, digital registration and renewal system with time-bound, fully online processes provides real-time workforce visibility, ensuring only qualified and active professionals remain in practice.

To create a centralized platform that simplifies and automates the nursing registration process, reduces waiting times and ensures timely renewals.

The NNMC Act, 2023 mandates uniform, competency-based registers of nursing professionals. To uphold these mandates, the Registration & Renewal reform is guided by the following principles:

  • Technology-enabled governance: A single, digital platform must serve as the authoritative registry, ensuring consistency across all institutes and states.
  • Transparency: Registration and renewal records must be publicly accessible where appropriate, to build trust and credibility.

  • Release a state-wide centralized registration and renewal policy to streamline processes, and ensure uniform standards across institutes.

    • Scope and coverage: Applies to all nurses registered under the State Nursing Council. Renewal is mandatory for all, irrespective of employment status.

    • Validity and renewal cycle: Renewed registration certificates are valid for five years. Nurses must initiate renewal between the 4th and 5th year from the date of issue/renewal to maintain active registration.

    • Eligibility: All nurses registered before {date} must renew starting {date} through a fee-based online process. Nurses registered after {date} will renew starting {date}, either via a fee-based system or Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits.

    • Process: Renewal involves an online application, document submission, fee payment, and verification by State Nursing Council. Processes may also include CNE credit verification.

    • Consequences of non-compliance: Failure to renew on time can lead to suspension of practice, employment restrictions, fines and mandatory reevaluation.

    • Grievance redressal: Nurses can raise queries or complaints through an online Query Redressal System (QRS) with a unique tracking number for timely resolution.

    • Confidentiality: Personal and professional information submitted during the renewal process is strictly confidential and protected by the council.

  • The following is the process for institutes to register their graduating nurses on NRTS:
    https://nrts.indiannursingcouncil.gov.in/images/Process/Primary.svg

    Process flow: Registration of nurses by institutes - Source: National Registration and Tracking System

  • The following is the process for individual nurses to register on NRTS:

    Process flow: Enrolment by nurse - Source: National Registration and Tracking System
    https://nrts.indiannursingcouncil.gov.in/images/Process/EnrolmentNurse.svg

  • The following is the process for an SNRC to register its nurses on NRTS:

    Process flow: Enrolment registration by SNRC - Source: National Registration and Tracking System
    https://nrts.indiannursingcouncil.gov.in/images/Process/EnrolmentSNRC.svg

  • The following is the process if nurse wants to practice in a different state and wants to register in a different SNRC on NRTS:

    Process flow: Foreign registration - Source: National Registration and Tracking System

    https://nrts.indiannursingcouncil.gov.in/images/Process/ForeignVerification.svg

  • The following is the renewal process on NRTS:
    https://nrts.indiannursingcouncil.gov.in/images/Process/Renewal.svg

    Process flow: Renewal - Source: National Registration and Tracking System

  • The platform is a digital system to streamline nurse’s registration and certification processes. It enables candidates and practitioners to request, verify, and access certificates online through web and mobile portals.

    • Digital platform Product Requirement Document from Uttar Pradesh: [Download here] 

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