**Executive Summary**
This document is the response of the Minister of AYUSH to Unstarred Question No. 1309 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on February 6th, 2026, regarding the expansion of the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards and related measures. It outlines the steps taken to promote Ayurveda, enhance infrastructure, and support research. There is no mentorship program currently under consideration.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards:**
* Awards recognize eminent Ayurveda experts, Vaidyas, emerging practitioners, and researchers for significant contributions to Ayurveda nationally and internationally.
* Award consists of a Citation, Trophy (Dhanwantari Statue), and cash reward of Rupees Five Lakhs for three selected individuals.
* Nominations are invited through the National Awards Portal since 2023.
* **Infrastructure Enhancement:**
* Public health infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of State/UT Governments.
* The National Ayush Mission (NAM) provides financial assistance to States/UTs for setting up Ayush educational institutions.
* The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) promotes research with 30 peripheral Institutes in 25 states.
* **Ayurveda Education and Research:**
* National Institutes of Ayurveda (e.g., NIA Jaipur, AIIA New Delhi, ITRA Jamnagar) provide quality education, conduct research, and offer Ayurveda treatment.
* Steps taken by National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) to promote research in Ayurveda:
* NCISM provides publication grants to teachers, scholars, and practitioners for publishing research papers.
* Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK) - NCISM launched SPARK in collaboration with CCRAS for UG students of Ayurveda colleges.
* PG-STAR: Scheme for Training in Ayurveda Research for Post Graduate scholars (PG-STAR).
* Literary Research: CCRAS is giving grant for literary research to the individuals and also working in collaboration with the teaching institutions for research purpose.
* **Mentorship Program:**
* There is no current proposal to introduce a formal mentorship program involving past awardees.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ayurveda Practitioners and Researchers**
* **Impact:** Increased recognition through awards and support for research activities, with emphasis on publication grants and studentships.
* **Action Required:** Submit nominations for the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards through the National Awards Portal and apply for research grants and studentships.
**Stakeholder: State/UT Governments**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to enhance Ayurveda education and infrastructure through financial assistance under the National Ayush Mission (NAM).
* **Action Required:** Submit suitable proposals through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) to avail NAM funding.
**Stakeholder: Ayurveda Educational Institutions**
* **Impact:** Enhanced research support and quality medical education through the initiatives by NCISM and the Ministry of Ayush.
* **Action Required:** Facilitate applications for publication grants, studentships, and other research initiatives and collaborate with CCRAS.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of AYUSH: The primary governmental body responsible for the development and promotion of Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems in India; the addressee of the Lok Sabha question.
National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards: A national award to recognize and promote excellence in the field of Ayurveda.
Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS): An autonomous organization under the Ministry of AYUSH, responsible for research in Ayurvedic sciences.
National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, New Delhi (NCISM): Organization promoting research in Ayurveda, including publication grants and student programs.
National Ayush Mission (NAM): Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission for setting up Ayush Educational institution in the States
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1309
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6th February, 2026
" Expansion of National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards"
1309. Shri Basavaraj Bommai:
Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to expand the reach and recognition of the National
Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards to include emerging Ayurveda practitioners and
researchers;
(b) the measures being taken by the Government to enhance the infrastructure for Ayurveda
research, education and clinical practice in rural and urban areas of the country;
(c) whether the Government plans to introduce a mentorship program where past awardees can
guide young Ayurveda practitioners and researchers; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) Ministry of Ayush has been celebrating Ayurveda Day every year since 2016, on the day
of Dhanwantari Jayanti for the promotion, propagation and popularization of Ayurveda.
However, as per the amendment Resolution published on 27.03.2025, the 23rd September has
now been declared as Ayurveda Day, and for this, the Ministry has also instituted "National
Dhanwantari Ayurveda Award for eminent Ayurveda Experts/ Vaidyas include emerging
Ayurveda practitioners and researchers for their significant contribution to the field of
Ayurveda in terms of promotion and propagation of Ayurveda at the National /International
levels, which consists of a Citation, Trophy (Dhanwantari Statue), and cash reward of Rupees
Five Lakhs are conferred on this day upon chosen/selected three (03) eminent Vaidyas and
Ayurveda Experts to encourage excellence to promote and motivate adoption of best practices
in the pursuit of excellence in Ayurveda.
Since 2023, the nominations for the Dhanwantari awards are invited through the common
unified National Awards Portal – Rashtriya Puraskar portal of Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA).
1(b) Public Health being a State subject, strengthen the infrastructure in the country
comes under the purview of respective State/UT Governments. However, under
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM), there is a provision
of financial assistance for setting up of Ayush Educational institution in the States
where availability of Ayush teaching institutions is inadequate in Government.
Accordingly, State/UT Governments may avail eligible financial assistance by
submitting the suitable proposals through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per
the provision of NAM guidelines.
Further, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, has set up Central Council for
Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous organization for
undertaking, coordinating, formulating, developing, and promoting research on
scientific lines in Ayurvedic sciences. The activities of the Council are carried out
through 30 peripheral Institutes in 25 States of the Country out of which health care
services through OPD/IPD is being provided at 26 Peripheral Institute/ Centres. The list
is annexed at Annexure-I.
Furthermore, the following National Institutes of Ayurveda under the Ministry are
imparting quality Medical Education, conducting Research and providing Ayurveda
treatment through its attached Hospital across the country:-
i. National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur and its extension centre at
Panchkula.
ii. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi and its satellite centre at Goa.
iii. Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar, Gujarat
iv. Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV), New Delhi.
v. North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong,
Meghalaya.
vi. North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Folk Medicine Research (NEIAFMR),
Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh.
(c)&(d) No such proposal is under consideration to introduce a ‘Mentorship Programme’
wherein former winners would guide young Ayurveda practitioners and researchers.
However, the steps taken by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine,
New Delhi (NCISM) to promote Research in Ayurveda are as follows:-
I. Publication Grant:-
NCISM is giving publication grant to the teachers, UG and PG scholars, and
practitioners of Ayurveda Medical system for publication of Research papers in quality
journals as per the guidelines.
II. Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK)
NCISM in collaboration with Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences
(CCRAS) under (SPARK) for undergraduate students of Ayurveda colleges were launched.
2III. PG-STAR:-
NCISM in the collaboration with CCRAS has launched Scheme for Training in Ayurveda
Research for Post Graduate scholars (PG-STAR).
IV. LITERARY RESEARCH:-
CCRAS is giving grant for literary research to the individuals and also working in
collaboration with the teaching institutions for research purpose.
*****
3ANNEXURE - I
CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR RESEARCH IN AYURVEDIC SCIENCES
State wise list of Ayurveda Hospitals/Dispensaries of CCRAS
S. Facility
State/UT Name of the CCRAS Institutes/Centre having Hospitals
No. available
Andaman &
1. 1.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Port Blair - 744101 OPD
Nicobar Island
2.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Payakapuram, Vijayawada
2. Andhra Pradesh OPD & IPD
- 520015
3. Arunachal Pradesh 3.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Itanagar -791111 OPD
4.Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Borsojai, Beltola, Guwahati-
4. Assam OPD & IPD
781028
5.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, D Block, Rajindra Memor
5. Bihar OPD
ial Res., Institute Building, AgamKuan, Patna-800007
6.Central Ayurveda Research Road No.66, Punjabi Bagh,
6. Delhi OPD & IPD
New Delhi - 110026
7.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Mineral and Marine
7. Goa OPD
Medicinal Resources, Goa - 403006
8.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Megani Nagar,
8. Gujarat OPD
Ahmedabad- 380016
Himanchal 9.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Jaral Pandoh,
9. OPD
Pradesh Mandi-175124
10.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, JDA Housing Colony,
10. Jammu & Kashmir OPD & IPD
Ban Talab, Rajender Nagar, Jammu-181123
11.Central Ayurveda Research Institute, 12 Uttarahalli
11. Karnataka Manavarthekaval, Uttarhalli Hobli Kanakapura Main Road, Thalaga OPD
ttapura Post, Bengaluru-560109
12.National Ayurveda Panchakarma Research Institute,
OPD & IPD
Cheruthuruthy- 679531
12. Kerala
13.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Poojapura, Trivandrum-
OPD & IPD
695012
13. Madhya Pradesh 14.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Amkho, Gwalior-474009 OPD & IPD
15.Central Ayurveda Research Institute, RA Podar College, Worli,
OPD & IPD
Mumbai-400018
14. Maharashtra
16.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, NIT Complex,
OPD & IPD
Nandanwan, Nagpur-440009
17.Regional Ayurveda Research Centre, CMO Building, District
15. Nagaland OPD
Hospital Colony, Dimapur (Nagaland)-797112
18.Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Bharatpur,
16. Odisha OPD & IPD
Bhubaneswar-751003
19.Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Moti Bagh Road,
17. Punjab OPD & IPD
Patiala-147001
420.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Indira Colony, Bani Park,
18. Rajasthan OPD & IPD
Jhotwara Road, Jaipur-302016.
21.Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Tadong,
19. Sikkim OPD
Gangtok -737102
22.Dr. AchantaLakshmipati Regional Ayurveda Research Institute,
20. Tamil Nadu OPD
VHS Campus, TTTI Post, Chennai-600113
23. Regional Ayurveda Research Centre, Ramnagar Road, No. 4
21. Tripura OPD
Opp. of Raj Bhandar, Agartala, Tripura - 799002
24. Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Indira Nagar,
22. Uttar Pradesh OPD
Lucknow-226016
25. Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Thapla,
23. Uttarakhand OPD
Ranikhet– 263645, Almora
26.Central Ayurveda Research Institute, 4 CN Block, Sector V,
24. West Bengal OPD & IPD
Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata-700091
Source of Information-CCRAS, New Delhi.
*****
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