Online Doctor Consultation in India (2026): How It Works and When to Use It

An online doctor consultation lets you talk to a registered doctor from your phone, by video, audio or chat, and get a valid prescription without leaving home. The biggest option in India is free. The government runs eSanjeevani, the national telemedicine service, and it has crossed 43 crore consultations (as of November 2025). The patient version, eSanjeevani OPD, lets any citizen register on the website or app, wait for a doctor, and get an e-prescription that is legally valid across all of India and accepted at any medical store. There is no fee. You only need a phone and your mobile number.

Here is how it works in simple steps. You go to the eSanjeevani OPD portal (esanjeevani.mohfw.gov.in) or download the official app, register with your mobile number and an OTP, fill in basic details, and join a token queue. A doctor connects with you by audio or video, you explain the problem, and at the end you get a digital prescription. Timings depend on your state, so check the state-wise timings on the portal. In Tamil Nadu, for example, the general OPD runs 8 AM to 8 PM daily.

There are also private apps like Practo, Apollo 247 and Tata 1mg. These charge a fee that changes by doctor and speciality, and they are useful for picking a specific specialist, follow-ups or ordering medicines and lab tests at home. Whether free or paid, the same rule holds: only a doctor registered with the NMC or a State Medical Council can legally consult you online, and they must show their registration number on the prescription.

What can a doctor prescribe online? Under India's Telemedicine Practice Guidelines (2020), medicines are split into lists. Common over-the-counter medicines and many first-visit and follow-up medicines are allowed. But no doctor can prescribe habit-forming, narcotic or psychotropic drugs online. That is the law, not just a rule of one app.

If it is an emergency, like chest pain, heavy bleeding, breathing trouble or an accident, do not go online. Get to a hospital.

Telemedicine is great for common fever, cold, skin issues, reports review, repeat prescriptions and quick advice. Go in person when you need a physical exam, tests, or it feels serious. And stay scam-aware. Fraudsters in India have tricked people into installing fake appointment apps and then drained their bank accounts. Only use the official eSanjeevani portal or well-known apps, never click a random link, and never pay a "doctor" over UPI to a personal number.

This is general information, check the official source before you act.

While you wait for your turn, you can also put your own work online for free. You can create a patient intake form, a clinic feedback survey or a simple booking form on SurveyHeart in minutes, at no cost.