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Ask satisfied patients for honest reviews at discharge or after follow-up visits, send a simple review link on WhatsApp, reply to every review politely without discussing medical…
Can hospitals advertise in India?
Quick answer
Yes. Hospitals in India can advertise factual information such as specialities, facilities, doctors, timings and location. They must avoid misleading claims, guaranteed outcomes, testimonials used for promotion and ads for conditions listed under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, and doctors' own promotion must follow the NMC's 2026 advertising guidelines.
What hospitals can advertise
- Specialities, departments and facilities
- Doctors’ names, qualifications and registration numbers
- Timings, location, insurance tie-ups and how to book
- Health awareness and educational content
What to avoid
- Guaranteed results or “best hospital” style claims you can’t verify
- Patient testimonials and before-and-after content used for promotion
- Ads that claim to cure diseases listed under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954
- Discounts or inducements that pressure patients
Who sets the rules
The National Medical Commission’s 2026 advertising guidelines govern how doctors advertise and appear in hospital promotions. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) code applies to all advertising, and Google and Meta have their own healthcare ad policies.
What works best
Hospitals that grow steadily online usually focus on doctor profile pages, speciality pages, a complete Google Business Profile, patient education content and fast, private follow-up on enquiries.
Key takeaways
- Factual information is allowed
- No guarantees, cure claims or promotional testimonials
- Doctors must follow NMC rules
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