Overview On January 3, 2026 , the Telangana Legislative Council held a debate during Question Hour regarding the possibility of providing basic training and certification to Rural Medical Practitioners (RMPs) and Paramedical Practitioners (PMPs) . The aim was to strengthen healthcare services in rural areas. However, Health Minister C Damodar Raja Narasimha reiterated that existing court orders prevent any such program from moving forward. Key Developments Debate in the Legislative Council The debate highlighted the challenges of providing adequate healthcare in rural and semi-urban areas of Telangana. Members discussed the potential benefits and risks of involving RMPs and PMPs in the formal healthcare system. Arguments for Training and Certification Takkallapalli Ravinder Rao of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) emphasized the inadequate access to affordable and reliable healthcare in rural areas. He noted that poor and vulnerable patients are often forced to depend on costly private hospitals due to shortages of doctors, medicines, and basic infrastructure in government facilities. Mr. Rao recalled that during the united Andhra Pradesh period, government orders were issued for structured training for RMPs and PMPs to function as first-contact healthcare providers. Government's Response The Health Minister stated that the government is bound by legal constraints. He traced the history of the issue, noting that government orders were issued in 2008 , 2009 , and 2014 to train RMPs and PMPs. However, these initiatives faced legal challenges after petitions were filed by the Indian Medical Association (Telangana State branch) and the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) . The Telangana High Court has restrained the State from conducting training or issuing certification to RMPs and PMPs to practice allopathic medicine. The Minister added that the government is duty-bound to comply with judicial directions but will examine the issue from a legal standpoint to determine what is permissible within the existing framework. Opposition from the Medical Fraternity Members of the medical fraternity expressed strong opposition to the idea of certifying RMPs and PMPs. G. Srinivas , Vice-Chairman of the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) , stated that Telangana now has around 65 medical colleges across the government and private sectors. He argued that there is no need to legitimize unqualified practitioners and that the focus should be on strengthening the public healthcare system by filling vacancies and improving infrastructure at primary health centers, sub-centers, and government hospitals. Dr. Kiran Madala , member of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Telangana State branch’s Committee on Action and Anti-Quackery , warned that even limited certification for RMPs and PMPs could lead to serious patient safety risks. He noted that the State has a large pool of qualified doctors waiting for employment and suggested recruiting them into the public system on a regular or contractual basis. Dr. Madala cautioned that allowing unqualified practitioners to practice, even at a basic level, often goes beyond first aid in reality, with many already administering antibiotics, steroids, and carrying out procedures without oversight. UPSC Relevance This issue is relevant to GS2 (Health, Government Policies) and GS3 (Human Resources, Rural Development) . It highlights the challenges of providing adequate healthcare in rural areas and the ethical considerations of involving unqualified practitioners in the formal healthcare system. The debate also touches upon the role of the government in ensuring access to affordable and reliable healthcare and the importance of strengthening the public healthcare infrastructure. Important Facts The debate took place in the Telangana Legislative Council on January 3, 2026 . C Damodar Raja Narasimha is the Health Minister of Telangana. Takkallapalli Ravinder Rao is a member of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) . The Telangana High Court has restrained the State from training or certifying RMPs and PMPs to practice allopathic medicine. G. Srinivas is the Vice-Chairman of the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) . Dr. Kiran Madala is a member of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Telangana State branch’s Committee on Action and Anti-Quackery .