Registered medical practitioner
Also called: RMP
A medical practitioner holding a qualification recognised under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and entered in the National or a State Medical Register, as defined in Section 51 of the BNSS.
Explained
Clause (b) of the Explanation to Section 51 of the BNSS defines a registered medical practitioner as a medical practitioner who possesses any medical qualification recognised under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and whose name has been entered in the National Medical Register or a State Medical Register under that Act. The same definition applies to Sections 52 and 53, Section 184 adopts it, and the Explanation to Section 106(1) of the BNS repeats it. Two elements are needed: a recognised qualification and entry in a register. Earlier, the Explanation to Section 53 of the CrPC referred to a qualification under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and entry in a State Medical Register.
The term marks out who may conduct the medical examinations that criminal investigation relies on. Under Section 51, a registered medical practitioner acting at the request of a police officer may examine an arrested person where there are reasonable grounds to believe the examination will afford evidence, using reasonable force; a female must be examined only by or under the supervision of a female registered medical practitioner. Section 52 provides for examination of a person accused of rape by a practitioner employed in a Government or local authority hospital or, if none is available within sixteen kilometres of the place of the offence, by any other registered medical practitioner. Section 184 (earlier Section 164A of the CrPC) requires a rape victim to be examined, with her consent, within twenty-four hours of the information, and the report to reach the investigating officer within seven days.
In the BNS, Section 106(1) (earlier Section 304A of the IPC) punishes causing death by a rash or negligent act with up to five years, but where the act is done by a registered medical practitioner while performing a medical procedure the maximum is two years. The lower ceiling applies only if the doctor meets the statutory definition.
Examiners test the definition, the female practitioner rule, the twenty-four hour and seven day limits in Section 184, the consent requirement, and the reduced punishment for doctors under Section 106(1). Note that Section 51 of the BNSS speaks of a request by any police officer, whereas Section 53 of the CrPC required an officer not below the rank of sub-inspector.
What the law says
(b) “registered medical practitioner” means a medical practitioner who possesses any medical qualification recognised under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (30 of 2019) and whose name has been entered in the National Medical Register or a State Medical Register under that Act.
Explanation (b) defines registered medical practitioner; examination of accused
Earlier law: CRPC 53. Examination of accused by medical practitioner at the request of police officer.; 53(1); 53(2); New Sub-section
(1) When a person is arrested on a charge of committing an offence of rape or an attempt to commit rape and there are reasonable grounds for believing that an examination of his person will afford evidence as to the commission of such offence, it shall be lawful for a registered medical practitioner employed in a hospital run by the Government or by a local authority and in the absence of such a practitioner within the radius of sixteen kilometres from the place where the offence has been committed, by any other registered medical practitioner, acting at the request of any police officer, and for any person acting in good faith in his aid and under his direction, to make such an examination of the arrested person and to use such force as is reasonably necessary for that purpose.
(2) The registered medical practitioner conducting such examination shall, without any delay, examine such person and prepare a report of his examination giving the following particulars, namely:—
(i) the name and address of the accused and of the person by whom he was brought;
Examination of a person accused of rape by an RMP
Earlier law: CRPC 53A. Examination of person accused of rape by medical practitioner.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “examination” and “registered medical practitioner” shall have the same meanings as respectively assigned to them in section 51.
Medical examination of a rape victim by an RMP, with consent and time limits
Earlier law: CRPC 164A Medical examination of victim of rape.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, “registered medical practitioner” means a medical practitioner who possesses any medical qualification recognised under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (30 of 2019) and whose name has been entered in the National Medical Register or a State Medical Register under that Act.
(2) Whoever causes death of any person by rash and negligent driving of vehicle not amounting to culpable homicide, and escapes without reporting it to a police officer or a Magistrate soon after the incident, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description of a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Lower punishment for an RMP causing death by negligence in a medical procedure
Earlier law: IPC 304A. Causing death by negligence.; New Sub-Section
Earlier law: Section 53, CrPC
Example
For example, if a qualified surgeon whose name is on a State Medical Register causes a patient's death by negligence during an operation, he faces a maximum of two years under Section 106(1) of the BNS, while an unregistered quack doing the same act faces up to five years.
For the exam
- Defined in the Explanation to Section 51 BNSS: NMC Act qualification plus entry in a Medical Register.
- A female arrestee is examined only by or under supervision of a female RMP (Section 51(2)).
- Rape victim sent to an RMP within 24 hours; report to IO within 7 days (Section 184).
- Section 184 examination needs the woman's consent or that of a person competent to consent.
- Death by negligence of an RMP in a medical procedure: up to two years (Section 106(1) BNS).
133 questions in the Law Maker question bank use this term. Practise Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita questions
Related terms
- InvestigationAll proceedings under the BNSS for the collection of evidence by a police officer, or by a person other than a Magistrate authorised by a Magistrate.
- VictimUnder Section 2(1)(y) of the BNSS, a person who has suffered loss or injury caused by the act or omission of the accused person, including the victim's guardian or legal heir.
- Grievous hurtThe kinds of hurt listed in Section 116 of the BNS, such as emasculation, permanent loss of sight or hearing, fracture, or hurt endangering life or causing fifteen days of severe pain.
- InjuryUnder Section 2(14) of the BNS, any harm whatever illegally caused to any person in body, mind, reputation or property.
- OffenceAn act or omission made punishable by law. The BNS core meaning is a thing made punishable by the Sanhita; the BNSS meaning covers any law in force.
Further reading
Checked 12 November 2026. Statutory text is quoted from the Bare Acts library, taken from India Code. See the full glossary.