KSMC has announced enhanced verification procedures for all new Ayurveda registrations from January 2026, including degree authentication directly from issuing universities.
The Kerala State Medical Council (ISM register) has issued new guidelines effective January 2026 requiring all new BAMS registrations to undergo direct degree authentication from the issuing university.
What changes
Under the amended KSMP Act procedures, applicants must submit a university-verified degree certificate, NCISM recognition confirmation for the institution, and undergo a mandatory verification interview before being added to the active register.
Why now
The Council cited 14 cases of fraudulent degrees identified in 2025 — most from non-NCISM-recognized institutions claiming Ayurveda accreditation. Patients have no easy way to distinguish legitimate practitioners from fraudulent ones, and the KSMC register is the only authoritative source.
Impact on practitioners
Existing registered Vaidyas are unaffected. New registrations will see processing times extend from 30 days to 60 days. For Kerala-trained BAMS graduates from government colleges (Trivandrum, Tripunithura, Kannur), the process remains streamlined — university records integrate directly with KSMC.
What patients should do
Verify any Ayurveda doctor through the KSMC ISM register before booking. AyurConnect's verified directory cross-checks every listed practitioner against this register. The "Verified" badge means active KSMC registration confirmed.
Source: Kerala Medical Council Bulletin · link