Chapter VII OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

If any person whose name is not for the time being entered in the Central Register or a State Register falsely represents that it is so entered or uses in connection with his name or title any words or letters to suggest that his name is so entered, he shall be punished on first conviction with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees, and on any subsequent conviction with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine not exceeding one lakh rupees or with both.

If any person,—

1. (a) not being a person registered in the Central Register or a State Register, takes or uses the description of an allied and healthcare professional, or
2. (b) not possessing an allied and healthcare qualification under this Act, uses a degree or a diploma or a license or an abbreviation indicating or implying such qualification, shall be punished on first conviction with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, and on any subsequent conviction with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine not exceeding two lakh rupees or with both.

If any person whose name has been removed from the Central Register or a State Register, he shall surrender forthwith his certificate of registration or certificate of renewal, as the case may be, or both, failing which he 1[shall be liable to penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees and in case of a continuing contravention with an additional penalty which may extend to five thousand rupees per day after the first day during which the offence contravention continues].

–(1) For the purpose of adjudicating penalties under section 58, the Chairperson of the State Council shall be the adjudicating authority to hold inquiry and imposing penalties in such manner as may be prescribed:

Provided that for the States where the State Councils have not been established, the Chairperson of the Commission shall perform the functions of the adjudication authority under sub-section (1) till such State Councils are established:

Provided further that no such penalty shall be imposed without giving the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

1. (2) Whoever is aggrieved by an order of the adjudicating authority under sub-section (1) except the proviso thereof, may, within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of such order, prefer an appeal to the Chairperson of the Commission, who shall be the appellate authority, in such form and manner as may be prescribed: Provided that where the Chairperson of the Commission has performed the functions of the adjudicating authority under the first proviso to sub-section (1), the appeal shall lie to the Secretary to the Government of India, as may be appointed by the Central Government in this behalf.
2. (3) The appellate authority may admit an appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if the appellant satisfies the appellate authority that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within that period.
3. (4) The appellate authority may, after giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, pass such an order as he may deem fit.
4. (5) An appeal under sub-section (2) shall be disposed of within sixty days from the date of filing.
5. (6) If penalty imposed by the adjudicating officer under sub-section (1) or by an order of the appellate authority under sub-section (4), as the case may be, is not deposited, the amount shall be recovered as an arrear of land revenue.]

¹ Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for certain words (w.e.f. 01.07.2026).

² Ins. by s. 2 and Sch. ibid. (w.e.f. 01.07.2026).

Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder shall be punished with imprisonment which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to three years or with fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees or with both.

1. (1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act except upon a complaint made by the Central Government, the State Government, the Commission, or the State Council, as the case may be.
2. (2) No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence punishable under this Act.