NMC Advertising Guidelines 2026: How Doctors, Dentists and Clinics Can List Online the Right Way
On 6 October 2026, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued its Guidelines on Ethical Advertising and Public Communication by Hospitals/Medical Institutions and Registered Medical Practitioners. They came into force with immediate effect.
If you run a clinic, a dental practice or a hospital, one question matters most: how do patients still find you online without breaking the rules?
This guide explains what the guidelines say, what you can publish, what to avoid, and how a factual Zoovit listing can help.
This is general information, not legal advice. Please read the NMC notice and check with your State Medical Council if unsure.
What the NMC guidelines cover
The guidelines apply to Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) and to hospitals and clinical establishments. The rules cover websites, blogs, social media, WhatsApp, influencer content, search-engine promotion and online healthcare platforms.
Using an agency or third party doesn’t remove responsibility either. If you authorised or knowingly permitted the content, you remain accountable.
What you CAN publish online
The guidelines separate factual information from promotion. Factual, verifiable details are allowed.
For hospitals and clinics:
- Name of the establishment and contact details
- Departments, diagnostic facilities and equipment
- Emergency services
- Accreditation status
- Other facilities and applicable fees
For doctors:
- Name, recognised qualifications and specialty
- Registration details (SMR/NMR number)
- Availability
The notice says a directory of doctors listing these details serves a patient-information function and is materially distinct from a paid or promotional advertisement.
Formal announcements are also allowed, factual and non-promotional, for starting practice, a change of address, a change of practice type, temporary absence, resumption of practice and public declaration of consultation fees.
Health education is allowed too. You can take part in awareness programmes, public health campaigns and educational content, as long as it doesn’t promote your own practice or solicit patients.
What to AVOID
- Superlatives: claims like “best”, “No.1”, “leading”, “most trusted” or “top” are not allowed unless objectively verifiable. “Guaranteed cures”, “100% success” and “painless treatment” are named examples.
- Patient testimonials, reviews and endorsements: buying, manipulating or publishing fake or paid reviews is prohibited, and RMPs shouldn’t request or share patient testimonials for promotion.
- Before-and-after photos and success stories: these are not allowed for promotion.
- Promotional doctor photographs: the notice says use of an RMP’s photograph that amounts to self-advertisement or solicitation is not permitted.
- Discounts, coupons, cashbacks and referral benefits: not allowed where they may encourage unnecessary consultations or amount to solicitation.
- Paid ranking and manipulated visibility: manipulating search rankings, followers or digital engagement is prohibited, and healthcare platforms hosting doctors must prohibit paid ranking.
- Celebrity or influencer promotion: not allowed as a route to prohibited testimonials.
- Patient data: names, faces and other identifiable details can’t be shared publicly.
- AI-generated promotion: AI-generated promotional campaigns for commercial interest are prohibited.
Why compliance matters
Penalties are graded and imposed by the State Medical Council after a show-cause notice. The notice sets out a first violation as a warning and mandatory ethics training. Further violations can lead to censure and a monetary penalty, suspension of registration, and for repeated violations, removal from the register for one to three years. Hospitals are dealt with under the applicable Clinical Establishments Act.
How Zoovit can help doctors, dentists and clinics
Zoovit is used by 1,600+ businesses and trusted by local businesses across India. Here’s what that means for your practice.
1. Your own dedicated profile page. Every listing gets its own page on Zoovit, with the clinic or hospital name, address, contact details, departments, facilities, emergency services and fees. This is the factual information the NMC guidelines allow.
2. Verifiable doctor details. Show doctor names, recognised qualifications, specialties, SMR/NMR registration number and availability. The NMC treats a directory with these details as patient information, separate from advertising.
3. Discovery by location and category. Patients use Zoovit to discover local businesses in their area. When someone searches for a dentist or clinic nearby, your profile is there in a neutral, factual format with no paid ranking and no superlatives.
4. Visibility on Google. Zoovit business pages already show up on Google when people search for a business by name. A complete profile gives patients one more place to find your correct details.
5. Jobs & Opportunities for your practice. Hiring a receptionist, nurse, lab technician or visiting consultant? Use Zoovit’s Jobs & Opportunities section to reach local candidates, and doctors and healthcare staff can find openings the same way.
6. Simple registration and updates. Register, create your listing and update it as things change: new timings, a new address, a new department or a resumed practice.
7. A growing business network. Your clinic is listed alongside 1,600+ local businesses, so you reach people already looking for local services.
Quick compliance checklist for your listing
- Registered name, qualifications and SMR/NMR registration number included
- Address, phone number and timings correct
- Departments, facilities and fees stated factually
- No “best”, “top” or “No.1” wording
- No testimonials, reviews, before-and-after images or patient photos
- No discount or offer language
- No AI-generated claims or images presented as real
- Clinic profile reviewed by the doctor or clinic owner
Frequently Asked Questions
Can doctors list their clinic on an online directory in India?
Factual information such as name, qualifications, specialty, registration details and availability is treated by the NMC as patient information, distinct from advertising. Promotional content is still restricted.
Can I show patient reviews on my profile?
The guidelines prohibit fake, paid or misleading reviews and testimonials for promoting medical services, and say RMPs shouldn’t request or share testimonials for promotion.
Can I write “best dentist in my city”?
Not unless the claim is objectively verifiable under a transparent, independent methodology. The safer course is to state your qualifications and services factually.
Can I share health tips online?
Yes. Health awareness and educational content is allowed as long as it doesn’t promote your practice or solicit patients.
Do these rules apply to hospitals?
Yes. The guidelines include a section on hospital and medical institution advertising, with penalties under the applicable Clinical Establishments law.
About Zoovit: Zoovit is a hyperlocal business discovery platform built around People. Businesses. Opportunities. With 1,600+ businesses already listed across India, and businesses from restaurants and jewellers to gift shops and service providers using it, Zoovit helps local customers find the right place near them. Now doctors, dentists, clinics and hospitals can be part of it too, with factual, verifiable profiles.
List Your Clinic or Hospital on Zoovit
Join the 1,600+ businesses already on Zoovit. Whether you run a dental clinic, a general practice, a specialist centre or a hospital, a clear, factual profile helps patients in your area find you the right way.