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Short answer: Indian doctors should not treat Instagram posts, clinic websites or patient reviews as a free zone for promotion. The NMC’s 2002 Code of Medical Ethics bars patient solicitation, self-aggrandizing publicity, commercial product endorsements and publicity about cases, operations, cures or remedies. The NMC held its 2023 professional-conduct regulations in abeyance, but on 6 October 2026 it listed new ethical-advertising and public-communication guidance. Because the guidance’s full text is not established here, the rules below explain the documented baseline—not a definitive ruling on every online format.
Are the NMC’s 2023 social-media rules in force?
No. On 23 August 2023, the NMC said the Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023 were “held in abeyance with immediate effect” and would not operate until a further Gazette notification. The same notification adopted the 2002 professional-conduct code with immediate effect. See the Gazette notification and the NMC rules listing.
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The 2023 text contains explicit social-media restrictions, including a ban on requesting or sharing patient testimonials, reviews, recommendations or endorsements, and on posting patient photographs or scans. Those clauses should not be described as operative solely because they appear in that text: the regulations were held in abeyance.
The NMC’s notice dated 6 October 2026 lists Guidelines on Ethical Advertising and Public Communication by Hospitals/Medical Institutions and Registered Medical Practitioners. Its full text is not established in the materials available for this article, so check the NMC notice and linked guidelines before relying on a definitive current answer about online advertising, reviews or testimonials. The 2002 code remains the documented baseline described below.
Can doctors advertise on Instagram in India?
The 2002 code does not provide a blanket permission for every online format. It prohibits direct or indirect solicitation of patients and publicity that uses a doctor’s name or professional standing to draw attention to or aggrandize skill, qualifications, achievements, speciality, appointment, association, affiliation or honours. A promotional post that does those things can raise professional-conduct concerns even if its statements are accurate.
The code permits certain formal practice announcements, such as starting practice, changing the type or address of a practice, temporary absence, resumption or succession of practice, and a public declaration of charges. That list is not an unqualified approval of every social-media execution; the 2026 NMC guidance should be checked for the current treatment of online formats.
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Can a doctor share patient reviews or testimonials?
Do not assume that a patient’s positive review is safe to solicit, repost or turn into promotional copy. The 2002 code bars patient solicitation and self-aggrandizing publicity, and restricts publicity about cases, operations, cures and remedies. Those rules can matter independently of whether a patient agreed to a post. The NMC’s October 2026 guidance is the key document to check for a definitive current rule on reviews.
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Confidentiality is a separate concern. The 2002 code requires patient confidences learned in professional practice to remain secret, subject to specified exceptions. Avoid identifying information in review replies, screenshots, case stories and promotional posts; consent alone should not be presented as resolving the separate publicity restrictions. Consult the NMC-hosted 2002 Code.
Can doctors post before-and-after photos?
The 2023 regulations specifically addressed patient photographs and scans, but their social-media provisions should not be treated as live rules while the regulations remain in abeyance. That does not make patient images an automatic green light under the 2002 code: an identifiable image may disclose a professional confidence, and using it to publicize a case, result or cure may also raise the code’s restrictions on publicity and self-aggrandizement. Check the 6 October 2026 NMC guidance before publishing patient images or outcome claims.
What can a doctor put on a clinic website?
The 2002 code allows an institution run by a physician to advertise in the lay press, but limits the content to the institution’s name, types of patients admitted, types of training and facilities, and fees. It also limits a doctor’s signboard to professional details such as name, qualifications, speciality and registration information. These provisions do not by themselves settle whether a particular website page, search ad or social post is permissible; the NMC’s newer guidance must be considered for the format.
For any proposed online communication, distinguish factual public information from an inducement or claim intended to elevate the practitioner, and check whether it identifies a patient, discusses a case or result, or endorses a product. These are screening questions, not a legal safe-harbour test.
Can a doctor promote a health product?
The 2002 code bars a doctor from permitting their name, signature or photograph to be used to recommend or endorse a commercial product in advertising. Whether a product claim is accurate is a separate issue; accuracy alone does not remove the professional-code restriction.
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There is also supplementary consumer-advertising guidance. The Department of Consumer Affairs’ explanation of the 2023 health and wellness influencer guidelines says certified medical practitioners and qualifying experts should disclose their status when sharing information, promoting products or services, or making health-related claims. It calls for clear disclaimers that endorsements are not substitutes for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment, separation of personal views from professional advice, and substantiation for specific health claims. This guidance complements rather than replaces the medical professional code; see the PIB release.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What about advertising disclosures and substantiation?
ASCI describes its code as voluntary self-regulation that complements legal controls. It expects objectively ascertainable advertising claims to be substantiated and says advertisements on social-media handles of media companies should be clearly identifiable through prominent disclosure. ASCI is not the statutory medical regulator. Its advertising code is an additional standard to consider, not a substitute for NMC requirements.
A practical screen before publishing
Before a doctor, hospital or healthcare communicator posts, check each of these points. This is an editorial screen, not a declaration that passing it makes a post lawful.
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- Who is speaking? An individual doctor, an institution and an influencer may be subject to different considerations.
- What is the purpose and tone? Separate factual public information from inducement, self-praise or claims that elevate a practitioner.
- Does it identify a patient or describe a case or result? Consider confidentiality and the code’s restrictions on publicity about cases, operations, cures and remedies.
- Does it endorse a commercial product? The 2002 code bars using a doctor’s name, signature or photograph for such an endorsement.
- Are claims substantiated and disclosures visible? Consider applicable consumer guidance and ASCI standards as well as professional rules.
- Does the 6 October 2026 NMC guidance permit the format? Read the full current document before making a definitive decision about online ads, reviews or testimonials.
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