**Summary:**
The Ministry of Ayush (MoA) is actively contributing to healthcare through preventive, promotive, and curative approaches, supported by a robust institutional framework. Education and professional practices are regulated by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowa-Rigpa) and the National Commission for Homoeopathy. Twelve national-level teaching institutes integrate education, clinical services, and outreach, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and specialty training programs. These institutes provide OPD/IPD services through NABH/NABL accredited hospitals, and conduct health camps and community initiatives.
Scientific validation and development of Ayush systems are facilitated by five autonomous research councils: CCRAS, CCRH, CCRUM, CCRS, and CCRYN. These councils operate extensive networks, including 30 institutes under CCRAS, 21 under CCRUM, and 27 units (with 6 treatment centers) under CCRH, implementing initiatives like the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Health Care. CCRS delivers healthcare via 9 peripheral institutes, and CCRYN operates 8 institutes, 10 wellness centers, and 10 Mind-Body Intervention centers.
The Indian Medicines Pharmaceuticals Corporation Limited (IMPCL), a Public Sector Undertaking, manufactures quality-assured Ayush medicines. The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIMH) ensures drug standardization, serving as a central apex laboratory.
The Ministry implements the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) through State/UT governments, providing financial assistance for Ayush treatment facilities based on State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). Matters related to ASU (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani) and Homeopathy drugs are governed by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules, 1945.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) to promote Medical Value Travel in Ayurveda and traditional medicine. Medical Value Travel Summits have been organized to foster collaboration and strengthen India's position in this sector.
A separate Ayush Visa category was introduced on July 27, 2023, for foreigners seeking Ayush treatments, managed through the Medical and Ayush Visa Portal (https:indianfrro.gov.infrromedicalvaluetravel) overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Registered hospitals/wellness centers can use this portal to generate invitation and extension letters for Medical, Medical Attendant, and Ayush Attendant Visas.
The Ministry is strengthening the Ayush workforce through capacity building and training programs, including the 'Ayurgyan' Central Sector Scheme since 2021-22, which supports training programs to address knowledge gaps in clinical and technical areas. The Promotion of International Cooperation for Ayush (IC) Scheme supports Indian Ayush drug manufacturers and service providers to boost exports and promote Ayush systems internationally. This includes establishing Ayush Academic Chairs and organizing training workshops abroad.
CCRAS contributes to capacity building through initiatives like SPARK, PG-STAR, Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programs, PRAYATNA, and ARMS. The Ayush vertical under DGHS, in collaboration with CHEB, conducted National Level Master Training on Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) for States/UTs during May 13-17, 2024. PCIMH trains Drug Regulatory Authorities and State Drug Testing Laboratories on quality assurance for ASUH drugs. National Ayush Institutes and Research Councils organize regular training programs and seminars.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ayush: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine.
National AYUSH Mission (NAM): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Ayush through State/UT Governments to provide AYUSH treatment facilities.
National Commission for Indian System of Medicine: Statutory commission regulating education and professional practice in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sowa-Rigpa.
National Commission for Homoeopathy: Statutory commission regulating education and professional practice in Homoeopathy.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: The Indian law governing Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy drugs.
Ayush Visa: A separate visa category introduced by the Government of India for foreigners seeking AYUSH treatment in India.
Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIMH): A subordinate office under the Ministry of Ayush responsible for drug standardization and serving as a central apex laboratory.
Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS): An autonomous research council that supports scientific validation and development of Ayush systems.
AYUSH
Contribution of AYUSH in Medical Field
Posted On: 01 AUG 2025 4:01PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Ayush (MoA) has significantly contributed to preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare
through a well-established institutional framework. Regulation of education and professional practice is
regulated through two statutory commissions, the “National Commission for Indian System of Medicine” for
Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sowa-Rigpa and the “National Commission for Homoeopathy”. Further, the
MoA has established 12 National level teaching Institutes that have made significant contributions in the
medical field by integrating quality education, clinical services, and outreach. They offer undergraduate,
postgraduate, and doctoral courses along with specialty training programs. They provide OPD/IPD
(Outpatient Department/ Inpatient Department) services through NABH/NABL (National Accreditation Board
for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers/ National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories)
accredited hospitals and organize health camps, awareness drives, and community-based initiatives across the
country.
Scientific validation and development of Ayush systems are supported by five autonomous research councils
viz. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in
Homoeopathy (CCRH), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Central Council for
Research in Siddha (CCRS), and Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN).
CCRAS, CCRUM and CCRH provide OPD and IPD services and undertake outreach programmes through
their extensive networks- 30 institutes under CCRAS, 21 under CCRUM, and 27 units with 6 treatment
centres under CCRH. These initiatives include the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan, Tribal Health Care, school
health programmes, and mobile clinical research, significantly enhancing the reach and accessibility of Ayush
healthcare across the country. Additionally, the CCRS delivers healthcare through 9 peripheral institutes,
while the CCRYN operates 8 institutes, 10 wellness centres, and 10 Mind-Body Intervention centres,
promoting holistic health services nationwide.
Ayush also administers one Public Sector Undertaking Indian Medicines Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Limited (IMPCL) for manufacturing quality-assured Ayush Medicines and one subordinate office, the
Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, responsible for drug standardization and
also serves as a central apex laboratory.
Ministry of Ayush is also implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM)
through State/UT Governments and supporting their efforts to provide Ayush treatment facility in the country
by providing financial assistance to them under different activities as per the provision of NAM guidelines
against their submitted State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).
The matters related to ASU& H (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy) drugs are governed under the
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 made thereunder.
a. Ministry of Ayush signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India Tourism Development
Corporation (ITDC), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to work together for the promotion of
Medical Value Travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine. Ministry of Ayush also
organized Medical Value Travel Summits for Western and Southern zone of the Country with the aim of
strengthening India's Position in Medical Value Travel. The summit fostered collaboration between state
Governments, Industry leaders, and healthcare providers to expand Ayush-based Medical Value Travel.
b. The Government has introduced a separate category of Ayush Visa on 27th July, 2023 for foreigners
and their attendants (other than a Pakistani national) visiting India for availing treatment under Ayushsystems of medicine.
The Medical and Ayush Visa Portal, governed by Ministry of Home Affairs is designed to streamline and
regulate the entry of legitimate foreign patients, ensuring that only authorized hospitals invite genuine
patients for treatment through pre-validated Medical Visas. This portal allows registered hospitals/ wellness
centres to generate Medical Visa Invitation Letters and Extension Letters for Medical Visa, Medical
Attendant Visa, and Ayush Attendant Visa. Hospitals/wellness centres operating in India can register on this
portal and log in using the login ID and password provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The portal can
be accessed at the following URL: https://indianfrro.gov.in/frro/medicalvaluetravel.
The Ministry of Ayush is undertaking several initiatives to strengthen and train a skilled workforce in the
Ayush sector through structured capacity-building and training programs, as well as to meet the growing need
of Ayush services at domestic as well as international level. The details of the initiatives are enclosed at
Annexure I.
ANNEXURE I
Details of Initiatives undertaken by Ministry of Ayush to train skilled workforce for Ayush field and
steps being taken to meet the growing demand of Ayush services at domestic and international level:
a. The Ministry of Ayush is implementing a Central Sector Scheme titled 'Ayurgyan' since 2021-22, which
includes a key component on Capacity Building and Continuing Medical Education in Ayush. Under
this component, support is extended to eligible organizations across the country to conduct training and
capacity-building programs aimed at encouraging Ayush personnel to undergo need-based professional
training and to bridge knowledge gaps in clinical and technical areas.
b. Ministry of Ayush developed the central sector scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for
Ayush (IC Scheme). Under this scheme, the Ministry provides support to Indian Ayush drug
Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to the export of Ayush products and services. The
scheme facilitates the International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush systems of
medicine; fosters interaction among stakeholders; and promotes market development of Ayush at
international level. Additionally, the scheme supports academics and research promotion through the
establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries and organization of training
workshop/symposiums aimed at strengthening awareness and interest in Ayush Systems of Medicine at
international level.
c. CCRAS is actively contributing to capacity building in the field of Ayush research through various
initiatives such as: SPARK (Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken) to promote research
aptitude among undergraduate Ayurveda students;PG Star (Scheme for Training in Ayurveda Research
for Post-Graduate Scholars) primarily aimed at promoting good quality research in Ayurveda students
pursuing post-graduation courses as well as to improve visibility and accessibility of their research work
to larger research audience.;Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programs to support advanced
academic research;PRAYATNA aimed at cultivating and enhancing scientific writing skills among
postgraduate (PG) and doctoral (PhD) scholars in the field of Ayurveda, and;
ARMS (Ayurveda Research Methodology and Statistics) training, aimed at building the foundation in
(cid:108)
Research Methodology and Biostatics for Ayurveda Scholars.
d. To enhance the capacity of Ayush physicians, Ayush vertical under Directorate General of Health
Services (DGHS) has conducted National Level Master Training in collaboration with Central Health
Education Bureau (CHEB), DGHS on Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) for all States/UTs during
13-17 May 2024, ensuring their effective dissemination to end users.
e. Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) on behalf of Ministry
of Ayush is imparting training to the Drug Regulatory Authorities, State Drug Testing Laboratories
(Drug Analysts), etc. on laboratory techniques and methods essential for ensuring the quality of
ASU&H (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy) drugs.f. In addition, regular training programs, workshops, and seminars are organized at various National Ayush
Institutes and Research Councils to upgrade the knowledge and skills of Ayush professionals across
different domains.
This information was given by Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav in a written
reply in Lok Sabha today.
***
MV/GS
(Release ID: 2151294)