**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 1271 in Lok Sabha regarding the national policy for the promotion of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) systems of medicine, to be answered on February 6, 2026. The response, given by the Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of AYUSH, details existing policies, schemes, and collaborations aimed at promoting AYUSH research, infrastructure, and integration with mainstream healthcare. The document does not mention any new specific action items or deadlines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Health Policy (NHP) 2017:**
* Recognizes the need to nurture the AYUSH system of medicine by developing infrastructural facilities, improving quality control of drugs, and capacity building of institutions and professionals.
* Recognizes the need for building research and public health skills for preventive and promotive healthcare.
* Supports the integration of AYUSH systems.
* **Ayurgyan Scheme:**
* Implemented by the Ministry of AYUSH to support Research & Innovation in AYUSH through Extra Mural Research activities and Education.
* Provides academic activities, training, and capacity building.
* **AIIA-iCAINE:**
* The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) established the AIIA- Incubation Centre for Ayurveda Innovation and Entrepreneurship to nucleate a cluster of new age ventures and to promote entrepreneurship leveraging the academic knowledge.
* **Research in Integrative Medicine (RIM):**
* The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has published an addendum to the ICMR National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants (2017) to provide a structured ethical framework for RIM.
* Funding support for AYUSH research infrastructure is provided through the National Institutes and Research Councils under the Ministry of AYUSH, and under various existing schemes.
* **AYUSH Research Councils:**
* Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Central Council of Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and Central Council of Research in Siddha (CCRS) are actively contributing to the integration of AYUSH systems.
* Collaborative clinical trials are conducted with premier institutions, including AIIMS, NIMHANS, ILBS, ACTREC-Mumbai, and IITs.
* **International Collaboration (IC) Scheme:**
* Facilitates collaborations with international partners, supporting Indian AYUSH drug manufacturers/service providers.
* Promotes international recognition of AYUSH, interaction of stakeholders, market development, and establishment of AYUSH Academic Chairs in foreign countries.
* Supports research & development/teaching collaborations with foreign universities, international agencies, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ministry of AYUSH**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing and overseeing policies and schemes to promote AYUSH.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement the NHP, Ayurgyan Scheme, and IC Scheme, foster collaborations, and support research.
**Stakeholder: AYUSH Professionals and Institutions**
* **Impact:** Benefit from improved infrastructure, funding for research, and opportunities for collaboration.
* **Action Required:** Participate in research activities, leverage available funding opportunities, and collaborate with national and international partners.
**Stakeholder: Patients/Public**
* **Impact:** Potential for improved access to and integration of AYUSH therapies into mainstream healthcare.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of available AYUSH services and research opportunities.
**Stakeholder: Research Councils (CCRAS, CCRUM, CCRH, CCRS)**
* **Impact:** Expected to actively contribute to the integration of AYUSH systems with modern medicine through research initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Continue conducting research through both Intramural and Collaborative modes in partnership with premier institutions.
**Stakeholder: ICMR**
* **Impact:** The ICMR published an addendum to the ICMR National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants (2017) to provide a structured ethical framework for Research in Integrative Medicine (RIM).
* **Action Required:** Provide a structured ethical framework for Research in Integrative Medicine (RIM).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of AYUSH: The central ministry responsible for the development and promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine in India.
National Health Policy (NHP), 2017: A referenced policy document that recognizes the need to nurture AYUSH systems of medicine.
AYUSH: Systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) promoted by the Indian government.
Ayurgyan Scheme: A Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Ayush to support Research & Innovation in Ayush.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): An organization that has published guidelines for research in integrative medicine involving AYUSH.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1271
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2026
National Policy for Promotion of AYUSH
1271. Dr. K Sudhakar:
Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to develop a national policy to promote AYUSH
hospitals as research and innovation hubs across the country;
(b) if so, the details of consultations held with States and Union Territories on such a policy
and the steps taken to include traditional knowledge systems in this policy;
(c) whether guidelines are likely to be formulated to integrate AYUSH research with
mainstream healthcare systems and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the details of funding allocations proposed for strengthening AYUSH research
infrastructure under the national policy;
(e) whether the Government is taking any measures to facilitate collaborations with premier
research institutions and international partners in this regard; and
(f) the details of timelines for drafting, finalising and implementing this national policy?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) and (b) The Government has published the National Health Policy (NHP), 2017, which
recognizes the need to nurture Ayush system of medicine, through development of
infrastructural facilities of teaching institutions, improving quality control of drugs, capacity
building of institutions and professionals. In addition, it recognizes the need for building
research and public health skills for preventive and promotive healthcare. The policy furthersupports the integration of Ayush systems at the level of knowledge systems, by validating
processes of health care promotion and cure.
Ministry of Ayush implements a Central Sector Scheme namely Ayurgyan Scheme with the
aim to support Research & Innovation in Ayush through Extra Mural Research activities and
Education by providing academic activities, training, capacity building etc.
The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the Ministry of Ayush, has established the
AIIA- Incubation Centre for Ayurveda Innovation and Entrepreneurship (AIIA-iCAINE) to
nucleate a cluster of new age ventures and to promote entrepreneurship leveraging the
academic knowledge.
(c) and (d) The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has published an addendum to
the ICMR National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human
Participants (2017) to provide a structured ethical framework for Research in Integrative
Medicine (RIM). This initiative marks a significant milestone in strengthening the scientific
foundation of Ayush-based integrative healthcare by ensuring ethical rigour and regulatory
compliance in research that explores the integration of traditional and modern medical
practices. Funding support for Ayush research infrastructure has been provided through the
National Institutes and Research Councils under the Ministry of Ayush, as well as under
various existing schemes of the Ministry.
(e) Research Councils under Ministry of Ayush namely Central Council for Research in
Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)
Central Council of Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and Central Council of Research in
Siddha (CCRS) have been actively contributing to the integration of Ayush systems with the
modern system of medicine through a range of research initiatives. The Research Councils
conducts research through both Intramural and Collaborative modes. Collaborative clinical
trials are undertaken in partnership with premier institutions across India, including various
All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Mental Health and
Neuro Science (NIMHANS), Institute of Liver and Biliary Science (ILBS), Advanced Centre
for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC)-Mumbai, and several Indian
Institutes of Technology (IITs), fostering interdisciplinary research and integrative healthcare
approaches.The Government is facilitating collaborations with international partners through a Central
Sector Scheme for the Promotion of International Co-operation in Ayush (IC Scheme) under
which the Ministry of Ayush provides support to Indian Ayush drug Manufacturers/ Ayush
Service providers to give boost to the export of Ayush products & services; facilitates the
International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush system of medicine; foster
interaction of stakeholders and market development of Ayush at international level; promote
academics and research through the establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign
countries and holding training workshop/symposiums for promoting and strengthening
awareness and interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine at international level. Ministry of
Ayush through IC Scheme also sponsors Ayush research & development/ teaching and other
collaborations with reputed institutions/ universities in foreign countries; International
agencies and United Nation bodies like World Health Organization (WHO).
(f) In view of the above the question does not arise.
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