vp-india-2026-sep-oct

INSIGHT T he Government of India has taken an important step towards formalising India’s allied and healthcare workforce with the notification of the Registration of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Regulations, 2026, under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021. The Gazette is dated 9 September 2026, and the Regulations come into force from the date of their publication. For India’s optical community, the Gazette brings greater clarity to the qualifications and registration of professionals providing eye-care services. THREE RECOGNISED LEVELS IN OPHTHALMIC SCIENCES Schedule I of the Regulations recognises Ophthalmic Sciences Professionals as a category and, importantly for the optical sector, identifies three professions: Optometrist, Ophthalmic Assistant and Vision Technician. The new Bachelor of Optometry qualification is specified as a five-year programme—four years of study plus one year of internship. At the same time, the Schedule recognises several existing Optometry and Ophthalmic degree qualifications of a minimum three-year duration. Existing recognised degree holders do not cease to qualify for Optometrist registration under the new framework. A two-year Diploma in Optometry with a minimum of 2,000 hours is recognised, along with qualifications such as Diploma in Refraction WHATTHENEW GAZETTE MEANSFOR OPTICIANS P. Ramachandran highlights changes to NCAHP registration regulations, professional roles and regulatory clarity 48 VISION PLUS INDIA EDITION