Key takeaways
- NABH: national accreditation for public and private providers, run by the Quality Council of India; hospital accreditation lasts four years.
- NQAS: the Health Ministry's standards for government facilities, certified by NHSRC at state and national level; certification is valid for three years.
- JCI: international accreditation; its 8th Edition hospital standards took effect on 1 January 2025.
- Private hospitals in India usually need NABH first, because CGHS rates, PMJAY quality incentives and insurers refer to it.
The short answer
| NABH | NQAS | JCI | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run by | National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, a board of the Quality Council of India | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; assessed and certified through NHSRC | Joint Commission International (USA) |
| Who can apply | Public and private hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, labs, AYUSH, dental and more | Government health facilities only | Hospitals and other organisations worldwide |
| Current hospital standard | 6th Edition, effective 1 January 2025 (639 objective elements) | NQAS standards for each facility level | 8th Edition, effective 1 January 2025 |
| Cycle | 4 years, with surveillance | 3 years, with surveillance | 3-year survey cycle |
| Main benefit in India | CGHS NABH rates, PMJAY quality incentives, insurer empanelment | National Health Mission recognition and incentives | International patients and foreign insurers |
NABH: the Indian benchmark
NABH is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India and is itself accredited by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua). It runs programmes for every kind of provider: hospitals above 50 beds, SHCOs, entry-level certification, AYUSH hospitals, dental clinics, eye care, clinics, labs and emergency departments.
For a private hospital in India, NABH is the accreditation that changes revenue. CGHS pays facilities without NABH 15% less than the NABH rate (our analysis); under AB-PMJAY quality certification, NABH accreditation qualifies for the Gold level; and insurers use NABH status in empanelment and package rates. The 6th Edition standards are explained chapter by chapter in our 6th Edition guide.
NQAS: quality certification for government facilities
The National Quality Assurance Standards are the Health Ministry's framework for public health facilities, from district hospitals to community and primary health centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Facilities are first assessed and certified at state level and can then apply for national certification, which NHSRC declares. Certification is valid for three years.
NQAS is scored by "areas of concern", service packages and standards, with minimum thresholds at each level. For Ayushman Arogya Mandir sub-centres, for example, NHSRC's January 2026 guidance requires at least 70% overall for full certification, at least 70% for each service package and at least 60% for each area of concern; 60–69% earns conditional certification. Private hospitals cannot apply.
JCI: international accreditation
Joint Commission International accredits hospitals worldwide. It published the 8th Edition of its hospital standards on 1 July 2024, and every hospital surveyed from 1 January 2025 is assessed against it. The edition consolidated standards, added a healthcare technology chapter (electronic records, telehealth and cybersecurity), a patient safety chapter, and environmental sustainability standards that became mandatory from 1 January 2026.
JCI makes sense for hospitals that treat international patients, deal with foreign insurers or compete for medical tourism. It is considerably more expensive than NABH, and JCI accreditation does not by itself give an Indian hospital the scheme benefits linked to NABH.
Which one should your hospital choose?
- Private hospital or nursing home in India: start with NABH. If you are under 50 beds, SHCO or entry-level certification is the usual first step.
- Government facility: NQAS is the designed route, linked to National Health Mission support; NABH is optional.
- Hospital targeting international patients: NABH for Indian schemes and insurers, plus JCI if international recognition matters to your business.
- AYUSH or dental facility: NABH runs dedicated AYUSH and dental programmes built for these settings.
Not sure where your facility fits? Send us your type, beds and city on WhatsApp for a free assessment of the right route.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NABH and NQAS?
NABH is the national accreditation board of the Quality Council of India and accredits both public and private healthcare organisations. NQAS (National Quality Assurance Standards) is the Health Ministry's quality certification for public health facilities such as district hospitals, community and primary health centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, assessed and certified through the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC).
Can a private hospital get NQAS certification?
No. NQAS is designed for government health facilities under the National Health Mission framework. Private hospitals seek NABH accreditation (or, for international recognition, JCI).
Is JCI better than NABH?
Neither is simply better; they serve different purposes. JCI is an international accreditation useful for hospitals that treat international patients or work with foreign insurers. NABH is the Indian benchmark that CGHS, PMJAY and Indian insurers use. Many JCI-accredited Indian hospitals also hold NABH accreditation.
How long is each accreditation valid?
NABH hospital accreditation is awarded for four years, with surveillance in between. NQAS certification is valid for three years. JCI accreditation runs on a three-year survey cycle.
Do government hospitals need NABH if they have NQAS?
Not as a rule. NQAS is the quality certification designed for public facilities and is linked to National Health Mission incentives. Some government hospitals also seek NABH accreditation, for example to meet insurer or scheme requirements.
Official sources
Fees and rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- NABH Hospital Accreditation Standards, 6th Edition (January 2025)
- NHSRC — NQAS certification of Ayushman Arogya Mandir sub-centres (January 2026)
- NHSRC — Guidelines for certification of public health facilities based on NQAS
- Joint Commission International — JCI publishes 8th edition of international accreditation standards (July 2024)
Get a free gap assessment for your facility
Tell us your facility type, bed or chair count and city. Dr. Ashutosh Sharma will tell you which NABH programme fits, what it will cost and how long it will realistically take — before you commit to anything.
Read next
- What Is NABH Accreditation? Full Form, Meaning, Benefits and ProgrammesNABH full form and meaning, who runs it, every programme, whether it's mandatory, what it costs and how to check a hospital's NABH status.
- NABH 6th Edition Standards: Chapters, Objective Elements and How Hospitals Are ScoredNABH 6th Edition explained: 10 chapters, 100 standards, 639 objective elements, Core to Excellence levels, scoring rules and key dates.
- CGHS Hospitals Without NABH: 249 Facilities and the 15% Rate Gap (2026 Data)249 CGHS-empanelled facilities had no NABH or NABL in 2026. What the 15% lower CGHS rate costs a non-NABH hospital, and the fastest way to close it.
- Hospitals above 50 beds (6th Edition)NABH 6th Edition accreditation for hospitals above 50 beds: 10 chapters, 100 standards, 639 objective elements, scoring rules, NABH fees and timeline.