Checklist
To verify NABH accreditation, use the ‘Find an Accredited Healthcare Organisation’ search on nabh.co, filtering by state and city. Then ask the hospital for its NABH certificate or reference number and enter it in the ‘Verify Certificate’ tool on the NABH website. Check that the name and address match the hospital, and note whether it is accredited, certified or empanelled.
The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) sets quality and patient safety standards for Indian healthcare. It is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India and is recognised by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua). Hospitals often display the NABH logo. A logo on a website is not proof. This guide shows you how to check the claim with NABH directly.
What should you ask the hospital for?
- The exact legal name of the hospital and the address of the branch where you will be treated.
- Its NABH certificate number or reference number.
- A copy of the current certificate showing the validity period.
- Whether the status is full accreditation, entry-level certification or another programme.
- Whether the certificate covers the specific building or branch you will attend.
How do you use the NABH directory?
- Go to nabh.co and open ‘Find an Accredited Healthcare Organisation’.
- Select the state and then the city.
- Choose a speciality filter if it helps narrow the list.
- Search and look for the hospital’s exact name and address.
- Note that the directory includes organisations under renewal.
- Save a screenshot with the date for your records.
How do you verify a certificate?
- On the NABH homepage, find the ‘Verify Certificate’ section.
- Choose ‘Certificate Number’ or ‘Reference Number’.
- Enter the number the hospital gave you and select ‘Verify’.
- Check that the details shown match the hospital’s name and location.
- Check the validity dates if they are displayed.
- If the result does not match, ask the hospital to explain before you go further.
What should you keep in mind?
- NABH notes that its site is new and data migration is ongoing, so some details may be temporarily incomplete.
- If the directory and the certificate check disagree, contact NABH or ask the hospital for clarification.
- Accreditation applies to an organisation, not to an individual doctor.
- Check the doctor’s own registration separately on the Indian Medical Register.
- Recheck status close to your travel date if your plans are months ahead.
Tip: print this page or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
What is the difference between accreditation, certification and empanelment?
NABH’s directory covers hospitals with NABH accreditation, certification or empanelment. These are different programmes with different standards. Ask the hospital which one it holds and what it covers. If you are unsure what a term means, ask NABH or your case manager to explain.
What accreditation tells you
NABH accreditation shows that a hospital has been assessed against NABH standards. It does not mean a particular treatment is right for you. Your treating specialist decides whether treatment is suitable.
Questions people ask
Is NABH the same as JCI?
No. NABH is India’s national accreditation board for hospitals and healthcare providers, under the Quality Council of India. JCI is an international accreditation body. Some Indian hospitals hold both. Check each one with the body that issued it.
Does every branch of a hospital group share the same NABH status?
Not necessarily. Accreditation is held by a specific organisation and location. A group may have some branches accredited and others not. Check the exact branch where you will be treated, by name and address, in the NABH directory.
Sources
- NABH – National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers
- NABH – Find an accredited healthcare organisation
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.