Teleconsultation in India: what the 2020 guidelines allow
Video, audio and chat consultations under the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines: first consults, follow-ups, and which medicines can be prescribed remotely.
For doctors and dentists · 5 min read · updated 15 Oct 2026
It's allowed
The Telemedicine Practice Guidelines (March 2020) let registered medical practitioners consult by video, audio or text. The same standards of care apply as in person, and the doctor decides whether a remote consult is enough for this patient.
Which medicines, when
- List O (over-the-counter medicines, like paracetamol and ORS): any consultation.
- List A (relatively safe medicines for common conditions): on a first consultation only by video; on follow-ups by any mode.
- List B (add-on medicines for a condition already being treated): only on a follow-up, after an in-person visit.
- Prohibited: Schedule X drugs and narcotic or psychotropic substances can't be prescribed by teleconsultation.
What to record
Recording the video itself isn't required.
- The patient's identity and consent (starting the consult counts as consent if the patient started it).
- The mode, whether it was a first consult or a follow-up, and the advice and prescription.
- Your name, qualification and registration number on the prescription, as for any prescription.
Training
Doctors consulting remotely are expected to complete the online telemedicine course from the National Medical Commission (earlier the Board of Governors of MCI). Keep the certificate.