Karnataka asks hospitals to display procedure rates and puts its medicine price-disclosure circular on hold

30 October 2026

Karnataka has told hospitals to show the rates of major procedures on boards at their reception counters from 1 November, and to keep a register with the prices of other procedures. Health Minister U T Khader announced this on 22 October after meeting the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA), noting that hospitals offer over 4,000 procedures. A 1 October circular from the Food Safety and Drug Administration also wanted bills to show the landing price and MRP of medicines. PHANA challenged it in the High Court, arguing Karnataka has not adopted the central Clinical Establishments Act, and on 30 October the state agreed to re-examine the circular and defer it until the next hearing on 12 November. The government also plans a policy to stop hospitals from holding back bodies over unpaid bills.