This document summarizes the Ministry of AYUSH's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3438, answered on August 8, 2025, regarding the appointment of AYUSH doctors and yoga instructors/teachers in rural areas. The Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of AYUSH, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, stated that public health is a state subject, and therefore, the primary responsibility for appointing doctors and yoga instructors to raise public awareness and provide treatment in rural areas, including Uttarakhand, rests with the respective State Governments/Union Territories.
However, the Ministry of AYUSH supports the efforts of State/UT Governments through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, National AYUSH Mission (NAM). NAM provides financial assistance for the overall development and promotion of AYUSH systems, based on proposals within State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) and existing NAM guidelines. This support includes provisions for the contractual deployment of AYUSH doctors and yoga instructors/teachers through the following major activities:
1. Operationalization of Ayush Health & Wellness Centres (AHWCs), now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush), by upgrading existing Ayush dispensaries and Sub-Health Centres.
2. Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.
3. Setting up of 50-bedded Integrated Ayush Hospitals.
4. Implementation of Ayush Public Health Programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of AYUSH: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine.
Shri Ajay Bhatt: Member of Parliament who asked the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of AYUSH, who provided the answer.
Uttarakhand: A state in India specifically mentioned in the question regarding the appointment of AYUSH doctors and Yoga instructors.
National Ayush Mission (NAM): A centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of AYUSH to support the development and promotion of AYUSH systems in India.
State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs): Plans proposed by State/UT Governments to the Ministry of Ayush, for financial assistance under the National Ayush Mission (NAM).
Ayush Health Wellness Centres (AHWCs): Existing Ayush dispensaries and Sub health Centres, which are upgraded. Renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir Ayush.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3438
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
AYUSH Doctors and Yoga Instructors in Rural Areas
†3438. Shri Ajay Bhatt:
Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has formulated any policy to appoint more AYUSH doctors and
Yoga instructors/teachers for raising public awareness and providing treatment to poor people
in the rural areas and villages of the country, State/UT-wise particularly in Uttarakhand;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (c) Public Health being a State Subject, the primary responsibility regarding
appointment of doctors & yoga instructors/teachers for raising public awareness and
providing treatment to poor people in the rural areas and villages of the country, including
State of Uttarakhand, lies with the respective State Government. However, under Centrally
Sponsored Scheme i.e. National Ayush Mission (NAM), Ministry of Ayush is supporting the
efforts of State/UT Governments for overall development & promotion of Ayush Systems in
the country by providing financial assistance under different activities proposed through State
Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) within the existing provisions of NAM guideline. The major
activities which includes the provision of contractual deployment of Ayush doctors & Yoga
instructors/ teachers are as follows:
(i) Operationalization of Ayush Health & Wellness Centres (AHWCs), now renamed as
Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush), by upgrading existing Ayush dispensaries and Sub
health Centres.
(ii) Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.
(iii) Setting up of 10/30/50 bedded Integrated Ayush Hospitals.
(iv) Implementation of Ayush Public Health Programs.
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