It is clear that relevant qualifications as prescribed in the First, Second or Third Schedules to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (Central Act 102 of 1956) must be followed by each and every registered medical practitioner. While, it is unacceptable that doctors are unaware of these requirements, yet, there are a large number of doctors who do not have valid council registration and stand at risk of harsh punishment if this is brought to the notice of the respective councils. This lapse is because of certain issues that prevail in the minds of medical practitioners and at this juncture, it is appropriate to highlight the same. Following are certain misconceptions that prevent doctors from getting valid registrations, as well as the reality of the same. Myth 1: Council Registrations are only required for Private Practice. Truth: All doctors need to have a valid registration in order to practice under the law irrespective of government, semi govt, army or private practice. With a myth that council registrations are only a must for doctors engaged in private practice, many doctors in the government service avoid getting registrations, stating that they are working in government hospitals and hence do not need registrations. Reality stands that all state medical councils maintain a register containing the particulars and details of all medical practitioners working in that state including both government and private practice doctors. Myth 2: PG Medical Students do not need council registration Truth: All doctors, on passing their MBBS from a recognized medical institution need council registration. Post graduate and Super-Speciality Medical Students often think that they do not need council registration, as they are students and not in independent practice.  However, the reality is that post-MBBS, the moment a medical student gets a doctor tag, they need to get themselves registered in order to practice. Even PG /SS students, have treat patients as a part of their studies and hence need to have a valid registration. Myth 3: Having MCI registration removes the need for State Registrations Truth: MCI maintains a register of particulars of medical practitioners of states/UTs where there are no independent state medical councils. Wherever the state medical councils exist under a State Act, every doctor practicing in that state/UT need to register with that state medical council order to practice in that particular state/UT. Myth 4: Additional Qualification of PG/SS need not necessarily be registered Truth: All additional qualifications under the Schedule, Post MBBS should be updated with the respective council. Only after that updating, a medical practitioner will be allowed to practice the specialty of the additional qualification. Myth 5: One-time Registration is enough Truth: As per the respective state councils, renewal is mandatory protocol. Each state medical councils specifies the duration as well as conditions of renewal. Just like, one renews their driving license in order to drive, similarly, licenses need to be renewed at periodic intervals as laid down by the different state councils. This is the law of the land and hence needs to be followed. Myth 6: One state council registration is enough Truth: Unless specified otherwise, One state medical council registration only allows to practice within the boundary of that state. In order to practice in another area, doctors require obtaining valid registration with the new state medical council.