KPME penalties and compliance
Registration is only the start. KPME also sets rules on staff, display, charges and grievances, and districts are enforcing them.
- Clinics, labs, dental and hospitals
- All districts of Karnataka
- Portal filing, documents and inspection support
KPME guide: all topics
- KPME registration in Karnataka (overview)
- Documents required
- Online application, step by step
- Check a KPME number / certificate
- Fees and categories
- Inspection: what is checked
- Renewal
- Penalties and compliance rules
- KPME for clinics
- KPME for dental clinics
- KPME FAQ (all questions)
- Blog: 2026 amendment explained
- Blog: KPME in Bangalore
Penalties under the KPME Act
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Running a private medical establishment without registration (section 19(1)) | Prosecution and fines. In October 2026 Dakshina Kannada imposed Rs 1 lakh fines on two hospitals for operating after their registration expired. |
| Employing an unqualified medical officer or paramedical staff (section 19(1-A), added in 2026) | On conviction, imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. |
| Not following conditions of registration (section 7(7)) | Direction to fix within a set time; continued non-compliance can lead to further action including cancellation. |
| Not displaying the KPME registration board (June 2024 circular) | Action under section 19(5) of the Act. |
Enforcement is real: we covered 14 hospitals fined in Bengaluru for KPME violations.
Ongoing KPME compliance checklist
- Display board at the entrance with the KPME registration number, establishment name and owner’s name, on a blue background for allopathy or green for Ayurveda, in the size set by the June 2024 circular
- Certificate displayed prominently inside the establishment
- Schedule of charges displayed and matching what is declared on the portal
- Patients’ charter and grievance redressal information displayed, with a named contact person
- Only qualified staff, each registered with the relevant council, and staff changes updated on the portal
- Only recognised systems of medicine. The 2024 circular notes that practices such as cupping, hypnotherapy or sound therapy are not medical treatments under the Act
- Linked licences kept valid: fire, KSPCB consent, biomedical waste authorisation, drug licence, AERB
- e-DAR registration for road accident data reporting
- Renewal applied for 90 days before expiry
KPME compliance audit
Medasus can visit your facility, check it against this list and your category’s inspection checklist, and give you a written list of fixes. This is useful before renewal, before NABH, or after a complaint notice.
Get a free KPME check
Tell us your facility type and city. We will tell you which KPME category applies, what documents you need and what else your facility must have (fire, pollution, drug licence and so on).
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for running a clinic without KPME registration?
What is the penalty for employing unqualified staff?
Is it mandatory to display the KPME registration number?
Can patients complain under KPME?
Need help with KPME?
Talk to the Medasus licensing team in Bengaluru. We handle the portal filing, documents and inspection preparation.
Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka; KPME category and fee table (Rate Details); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025); New Indian Express, 9 Jun 2024; Mangalore Today, 14 Oct 2026. Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Registrations are granted only by the Government of Karnataka through the district Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official portal before applying.
