New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a strict advisory on March 25, 2026, declaring stem cell therapy illegal for treating Autism Spectrum Disorder and cerebral palsy in routine practice. Following Supreme Court directions and ICMR guidelines, this advisory limits stem cell use to 32 approved indications.
Key Details of the March 2026 Advisory:
Autism & Cerebral Palsy Warning: Stem cell therapy is deemed illegal for autism and cerebral palsy outside approved research, as these are not considered validated treatments.
Restricted Use: Stem cell therapies are allowed ONLY for approved conditions (e.g., Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for blood disorders) as per ICMR/DHR guidelines.
Target Audience: The advisory is mandatory for all registered medical practitioners, medical colleges, and healthcare institutions to curb unethical, unproven practices.
Compliance: Unapproved use of stem cell therapy is banned to protect patients from financial exploitation and false claims regarding cures.
The NMC constantly updates its advisories, including recent notices regarding grievance redressal for medical students and the adoption of the Model Education Loan Scheme (MELS).
