About FAQs

NABH is not a government department per se, but it is a constituent board under the Quality Council of India (QCI), which was established by the Government of India in collaboration with industry bodies and civil society. NABH functions as an autonomous organisation, drawing upon expertise from a diverse range of stakeholders including clinicians, hospital administrators, academics, and public health professionals. While independent in its operations, it aligns closely with national healthcare goals and regulatory frameworks.

NABH’s activities are guided by four key values:

• Credibility: Provide credible and value addition services
• Responsiveness: Willingness to listen and continuously improving service
• Transparency: Openness in communication and freedom of information to its stakeholders
• Innovation: Incorporating change, creativity, continuous learning and new ideas to improve the services being provided

These values underpin NABH’s mission to improve healthcare quality in a way that is inclusive, accountable, and sustainable.

NABH was established in 2005, in response to the growing need for structured quality assurance in Indian healthcare. Since then, it has grown into the country’s most trusted accreditation body, expanding its scope from large hospitals to include smaller healthcare providers, clinics, laboratories, traditional medicine centres, and digital health systems. Over the years, NABH has played an instrumental role in building a more reliable, transparent, and ethical healthcare system.

Yes. NABH is a full member of the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), the global authority that accredits accrediting bodies. This recognition validates that NABH’s processes and standards are aligned with international benchmarks, ensuring credibility on a global platform. It also enhances the reputation of accredited Indian hospitals, particularly in the context of medical tourism, international partnerships, and participation in global health initiatives.

NABH offers a wide range of over 30 accreditation and certification programmes tailored to different types of healthcare settings. These include:

• Large multi-specialty hospitals and small healthcare organisations (SHCOs)
• Dental clinics, eye care centres, and emergency departments
• AYUSH hospitals, Panchakarma centres, and traditional medicine practitioners
• Imaging services, pathology laboratories, and blood banks
• Nursing services, care homes, and ethics committees
• Digital health platforms, HIS/EMR system vendors, and telemedicine providers

Each programme addresses the specific quality, safety, and operational needs of its target segment.

NABH combines international rigour with local relevance. It is an accreditation body recognised by ISQua, giving it global credibility. At the same time, NABH deeply understands the unique challenges faced by Indian healthcare providers—including variability in infrastructure, regulatory requirements, and resource constraints. Its tiered model, including Entry-Level Certification and simplified pathways for small and rural facilities, makes quality improvement more inclusive and feasible.

NABH actively contributes to government-led health missions, including Ayushman Bharat, the Digital Health Mission (ABDM), and state insurance schemes. Accreditation ensures that participating hospitals meet quality benchmarks in safety, service delivery, and ethics. NABH’s standards are aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and are recognised by several government departments as prerequisites for empanelment, funding, and performance-linked incentives.

Yes, extensively. NABH’s Entry-Level Certification and SHCO Accreditation programmes are designed to empower small and rural hospitals by introducing foundational quality and safety practices in a practical and cost-effective way. These programmes include training, mentoring, and step-by-step implementation support. They are ideal for facilities that are new to formal quality systems and are looking to enhance patient care without being overwhelmed by complex documentation or resource demands.

NABH envisions a future where every Indian, regardless of where they live or the type of healthcare facility they visit, receives safe, ethical, and high-quality care. Its mission is to foster a culture of quality in every corner of the healthcare ecosystem—urban or rural, public or private. In the long term, NABH aims to make Indian healthcare globally competitive while also reaching the last mile, ensuring that quality standards are implemented in even the remotest and underserved regions of the country. By enabling providers to adopt best practices and continuously improve, NABH supports a resilient, patient-focused, and future-ready healthcare system.

NABH maintains a large network of trained and empanelled assessors across India. These assessors are selected through rigorous screening and undergo periodic training to ensure consistent interpretation of standards. NABH also employs multiple layers of review—including document scrutiny, surveillance audits, and complaint investigations—to maintain integrity and impartiality in its assessments. Continuous feedback loops ensure that the process evolves and remains robust.

Yes. NABH encourages feedback from accredited facilities, applicants, and healthcare professionals. This helps refine its standards, improve assessor training, and address emerging challenges. Feedback mechanisms include post-assessment surveys, stakeholder consultations, and advisory group discussions. NABH believes that a participatory approach strengthens the overall accreditation ecosystem and helps keep standards both relevant and practical.