Around 1.1 lakh doctors will have their medical credentials and registration verified by the state after a preliminary survey found suspected cases of fake medical professionals in the state.
"Those registered with WBMC since 1996 will have their medical credentials, registration certificates and identity personally verified under the new ‘Know Your Doctor’ scheme," State Health Minister, Sharadwat Mukherjee announced on November 6, 2026.
The scheme will ensure identification of any fraudulent professionals and make sure that outdated or incorrect details are updated.
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The government will personalize the verification with both manual and video processes.
1. Manual Know Your Doctor (MKYD):
Those able to attend will need to bring their academic credentials, medical degree and registration documents to a verification center, or to the WBMC itself.
2. Video Know Your Doctor (VKYD):
Those unable to attend due to age, ill-health or distance will be able to undergo the verification via video call. The Minister explained how many older doctors across Cooch Behar and other districts should not have to travel far.
The government is looking to hire a private company to assist them. Full guidelines will be given in a separate official notice.
The government has decided to take the process further having found several cases of suspected fake professionals during a sample survey.
They are now looking to check everyone’s credentials, ensuring that any outdated information relating to deceased doctors, those who have stopped practicing or moved overseas can be identified.
The initiative comes after allegations of irregularity with medical registration certificates. Complaints have been made to Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate against the WBMC president, vice-president, ex-registrar, member (legislator) and some officials.
These are just allegations so we must not jump to conclusions. However, the full verification across the country will look into the registration credentials.
Any doctors who originally registered with medical councils in other states will also be checked. The health department will verify their original registration details with Odisha, Bihar, Assam and Jharkhand.
With nearly three decades worth of registration details, it will be a big task to manage. The current WBMC software is outdated and they are looking to change this.
The IT department at Swasthya Bhawan have been told to find out what needs to be done to make this possible, while keeping the current registration details. They may also employ a private company to assist with verifying documents.
Concerns have been raised about the validity of registration certificates issued by the WBMC, which can be valid for five years.
Mukherjee explained that existing registration details will remain valid until new guidelines are put in place. This does not mean that practicing doctors will have their registration invalidated.
The state health department has also contacted the National Medical Commission (NMC) for clarification regarding the legal aspects of the scheme and are waiting for a response.
He also explained that this is simply an administrative task and has nothing to do with the upcoming WBMC elections.
Rh/MF