What the 2025 proposal would change — and which protections doctors can already look to.
Status checked 11 September 2026
What is the proposal?
The Central Protection of Healthcare Workers and Medical Establishments from Violence Bill, 2025 is Bill XLIV of 2025 in the Rajya Sabha. Its scope extends beyond doctors to other healthcare workers and establishments defined in the draft. Read Parliament’s introduced bill ↗
Proposed penalties — clause 4, not current law
Proposed offence
Imprisonment
Fine
Covered violence or property damage, including abetment or incitement
6 months–5 years
₹50,000–₹5 lakh
Covered violence causing grievous hurt
3–10 years
₹2 lakh–₹10 lakh
The draft also proposes cognizable and non-bailable offences (clause 6), compensation (clause 9), workplace safety duties (clauses 13–15), state protection boards and district vigilance committees (clauses 16–22). These remain proposals in the introduced text. Check the clauses in the official PDF ↗
National advocacy · Organisations and their work
Organisations working for national doctor protection
These organisations have documented campaigns for stronger national protection of doctors and healthcare workers.
MedScapeIndia – AMET
Founder and chairperson: Dr Sunita Dube, radiologist. Its founder profile describes MedScapeIndia as an initiative of Aryan Medical & Education Trust, established in 2011 to bring medical specialties together and support fair healthcare. Read MedScapeIndia’s founder profile ↗
In a 5 January 2024 interview with Medgate Today, Dr Dube described the organisation’s campaign for the Prevention of Doctor’s Assault Bill 2023, including discussions with policymakers and medical associations. Her stated priorities included a medical tribunal, stronger hospital security, communication training and support for affected doctors. Read her doctor-protection campaign interview ↗
Indian Medical Association (IMA)
IMA’s official August 2024 newsletter records its demand for a central law against healthcare violence and hospitals designated as safe zones, alongside representations to the Union Health Ministry and Prime Minister. Read IMA’s published campaign record ↗
Sources reviewed 11 September 2026. The campaign proposals described here are advocacy records. The 2023 campaign title is distinct from the official 2025 bill above; these sources do not establish enactment or an endorsement of Nagpur IMA Safety.
Take part from Nagpur
MedScapeIndia’s Red Flag campaign advocates stronger national safeguards against healthcare violence. Reporting on its July 2024 conclave describes the campaign and the earlier signature drive. Read about Red Flag and the signature campaign ↗
The Nagpur form records local participation for committee review. National submission requires a confirmed MedScapeIndia receiving process and separate consent.
What protects doctors now?
“No central protection Act” should not be read as “no national protection at all.” General criminal law applies, and the amended Epidemic Diseases Act contains specific protections in the statutory epidemic context. It is not a general special law for every hospital assault. Read the amended Epidemic Diseases Act ↗
State laws also matter. PRS’s 2020 overview identifies Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and West Bengal among states with healthcare-protection legislation. It is historical background, not an up-to-date count of states or a substitute for current state Acts. Read the dated PRS overview ↗
For Nagpur, check the Maharashtra Act’s definitions, coverage and penalties together with the applicable BNS provisions. Bail classification and punishment differ by the offence and law. Read the Maharashtra protection guide →
Why the Centre–state distinction comes up
A Health Ministry reply published by PIB on 16 July 2019 described health as a state subject and said a committee was examining a uniform framework. That is the date and context of the cited statement; it is not a current parliamentary decision on the 2025 bill. Read the original government reply ↗
What to check next
Follow parliamentary proceedings for consideration, amendments and passage, then check any enacted text and commencement notification before updating a hospital notice. Keep the review date visible and link the underlying document.
