Karnataka Right to Access Your Medical Records Laws (2026)
About this article
Sourced from Indian central (Union) law — Constitution of India, central Acts of Parliament, and Supreme Court decisions. State-level information reflects each state's own Acts and High Court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Under NMC Regulations 2023 and the Clinical Establishments Act 2010, hospitals are required to provide patients with access to their medical records. If a hospital refuses, you can file a complaint with the State Medical Council and, for government hospitals, submit an RTI request.
When does it apply?
- A hospital is refusing to release your test results, surgical notes, or discharge summary.
- Administrators are claiming the records are hospital property and denying you access.
- You need a deceased family member's medical records for a police complaint, insurance claim, or legal proceedings.
How to Access Your Medical Records When a Hospital Refuses
- Submit a written request to the medical superintendent — keep a copy with the receipt stamp as evidence of the date of your request.
- File an RTI request if it is a government hospital — government hospitals cannot withhold personal medical data under any RTI exemption.
- Escalate if records are not provided within 72 hours — file a complaint with the District Collector and the State Medical Council.
- File a consumer complaint — refusal to provide medical records is a deficiency of service under the Consumer Protection Act 2019; the consumer court can order compensation.
Generate a formal legal letter to support your rights using our Legal Letter Generator.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not accept only a verbal summary of your records. You are entitled to copies of your actual records — request everything in writing.
- Request records promptly after discharge — acting early preserves the records in their original state.
- Your health records belong to you, not to the hospital. The claim that records are "hospital property" is incorrect under NMC Regulations.
How Karnataka differs from central law
Patients' right to access their medical records in Karnataka is reinforced by the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007 and professional conduct regulations.
- Right to records: Every patient has the right to obtain copies of their medical records, including case sheets, investigation reports, discharge summaries, and operation notes. Hospitals cannot refuse this right.
- Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007: Private hospitals registered under this Act are required to maintain patient records for a prescribed period and provide copies to patients or their authorised representatives on request.
- Charges: Hospitals may charge a reasonable fee for photocopying medical records, but the fee must not be prohibitively high. The Karnataka High Court has held that medical records belong to the patient and hospitals are merely custodians.
- Digital health records: Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), Karnataka is progressively adopting digital health IDs (ABHA) and electronic health records. Patients with an ABHA ID can access their records through the ABDM portal.
- Medico-legal cases: In medico-legal cases (accidents, assaults, poisoning), hospitals in Karnataka are required to maintain records and provide copies to the police and the patient. The patient's right to their own records is not affected by the medico-legal nature of the case.
Additional Steps in Karnataka
Submit a written request to the hospital's medical records department. If the hospital refuses, file a complaint with the District Health Officer or the Karnataka Medical Council. For consumer complaints, approach the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
Relevant Law: Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007; Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2002, Reg. 1.3; Consumer Protection Act, 2019
Common Questions
What is the right to access your medical records right in India?
Under NMC Regulations 2023 and the Clinical Establishments Act 2010, hospitals are required to provide patients with access to their medical records. If a hospital refuses, you can file a complaint with the State Medical Council and, for government hospitals, submit an RTI request.
When does right to access your medical records apply?
A hospital is refusing to release your test results, surgical notes, or discharge summary.Administrators are claiming the records are hospital property and denying you access.You need a deceased family member's medical records for a police complaint, insurance claim, or legal proceedings.
What can I do if a hospital refuses to give me my discharge summary or medical test reports?
Submit a written request to the medical superintendent — keep a copy with the receipt stamp as evidence of the date of your request.File an RTI request if it is a government hospital — government hospitals cannot withhold personal medical data under any RTI exemption.Escalate if records are not provided within 72 hours — file a complaint with the District Collector and the State Medical Council.File a consumer complaint — refusal to provide medical records is a deficiency of service under the Consumer Protection Act 2019; the consumer court can order compensation.Generate a formal legal...
What mistakes should I avoid with right to access your medical records?
Do not accept only a verbal summary of your records. You are entitled to copies of your actual records — request everything in writing.Request records promptly after discharge — acting early preserves the records in their original state.Your health records belong to you, not to the hospital. The claim that records are "hospital property" is incorrect under NMC Regulations.
Right to Access Your Medical Records in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.
- MaharashtraRight to Access Your Medical Records
- Uttar PradeshRight to Access Your Medical Records
- Tamil NaduRight to Access Your Medical Records
- West BengalRight to Access Your Medical Records
- DelhiRight to Access Your Medical Records
- KeralaRight to Access Your Medical Records
- GujaratRight to Access Your Medical Records