Maharashtra resident doctors launch indefinite strike from 5 August 2026 opposing MMC registration of homeopaths to prescribe allopathy after CCMP course.

Maharashtra Resident Doctors Launch Indefinite Strike Against Homeopaths Prescribing Allopathy
Resident doctors across Maharashtra began an indefinite statewide strike from midnight on 5 August 2026. The agitation, called by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), is directed against the state government’s decision allowing certain homeopathy practitioners to register under the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and prescribe modern (allopathic) medicines after completing a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).
Approximately 12,000 resident doctors from government and municipal medical college hospitals are participating. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra and other medical bodies have also joined or intensified their protests. The doctors have demanded an immediate suspension of the BHMS-CCMP registration process until a final court verdict on the issue.
Emergency and casualty services were kept operational for the first 24 hours in the interest of patient safety. Outpatient departments, elective procedures, routine duties and academic activities were suspended. Leaders of MARD have stated that if the government does not initiate meaningful dialogue, emergency services may also be withdrawn from 6 August onwards.
For competitive exam aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, RRB, Bank and State PSC examinations, the development is relevant under topics of healthcare policy, medical education standards, inter-system regulation of medicine, and the rights and responsibilities of medical professionals.
Background of the Controversy
The Maharashtra Medical Council issued a notification on 30 June 2026 permitting homeopaths who have completed the six-month Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology to prescribe modern medicines and seek registration under the MMC. A subsequent government resolution directed the Council to commence the registration process.
Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to allow qualified homeopathy practitioners to prescribe allopathic medicines under this framework. The move has been strongly opposed by allopathic doctors’ organisations, which argue that it compromises patient safety, dilutes standards of medical education and lacks a clear legal and regulatory foundation. The matter is currently pending before the courts.
Demands of the Striking Doctors
The primary demand of MARD and supporting organisations is the immediate suspension of the BHMS-CCMP registration process until the final judicial verdict. They have also called for the resolution of long-standing issues concerning resident doctors, including working conditions and institutional support.
Central MARD president Atharva Shinde stated that the strike commenced at midnight on 5 August and that the organisation would observe the government’s response during the day. He warned that emergency services would be shut down after 24 hours if dialogue was not initiated.
The doctors have clarified that the agitation is not directed against any system of medicine or its practitioners, but is aimed at ensuring that any policy affecting patient care is implemented only after due legal scrutiny, scientific evaluation and the establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework.
Impact on Hospital Services
The strike affects government medical college hospitals across the state and several municipal corporation-run hospitals. Outpatient services, elective surgeries and academic activities have been suspended. Emergency and casualty services continued during the initial phase.
In cities such as Pune and Mumbai, large numbers of resident doctors and IMA members participated in the withdrawal of services. Patients seeking non-emergency care faced disruption, while hospital administrations made arrangements to maintain critical services.
Positions of Stakeholders
Allopathic doctors’ bodies maintain that permitting practitioners trained primarily in homeopathy to prescribe modern medicines after a short certificate course risks patient safety and undermines the rigorous training required for allopathic practice.
Supporters of the policy argue that it can help address shortages of modern medicine practitioners in remote and rural areas and that the certificate course provides the necessary pharmacological knowledge.
The state government has engaged in discussions with the protesting organisations, but the doctors have stated that they have not received a satisfactory assurance regarding the suspension of the registration process.
Relevance for Competitive Exam Aspirants
This issue is significant for multiple examinations.
In the UPSC Civil Services Examination, it can be linked to healthcare delivery systems, regulation of medical practice, the role of medical councils, federal and state powers in health, and debates on integrative medicine. Questions may also touch on the balance between expanding access to healthcare and maintaining professional standards.
For SSC, RRB and Bank examinations, the key facts — the date of the strike, the organisations involved (MARD and IMA), the nature of the CCMP course, and the demand for suspension pending court verdict — are relevant for current affairs.
Understanding the distinction between different systems of medicine and the regulatory role of bodies such as the Maharashtra Medical Council helps aspirants answer questions on health sector governance.
Current Status and Outlook
As of 5 August 2026, the indefinite strike is underway. The first registration of a homeopath under the new framework was reported late on 4 August. The doctors’ organisations have indicated that the continuation and intensification of the strike will depend on the government’s response.
The outcome of the ongoing court proceedings and any further negotiations between the state government and the medical associations will determine the future course of the policy. In the meantime, the disruption of routine hospital services highlights the tension between efforts to expand the pool of practitioners authorised to prescribe modern medicines and the concerns of the allopathic medical community regarding standards and patient safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why have Maharashtra resident doctors gone on strike?
They are protesting the decision allowing homeopaths who completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology to register under the MMC and prescribe allopathic medicines.
2. When did the strike begin?
The indefinite strike began at midnight on 5 August 2026.
3. Are emergency services affected?
Emergency and casualty services continued for the first 24 hours. They may be withdrawn later if demands are not addressed.
4. What is the main demand of the doctors?
Immediate suspension of the BHMS-CCMP registration process until the final court verdict.
5. Which organisations are involved in the protest?
Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra and other resident and specialist doctors’ bodies.
6. Why is this relevant for exam aspirants?
It covers healthcare regulation, medical education standards and policy debates on different systems of medicine — important themes in current affairs and governance.