Parliament Question: Promotion of Ayurveda

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5540 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27th MARCH, 2026 “Promotion of Ayurveda”

5540. Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Government to promote Ayurveda;

(b) the details of the plans of the Government to increase research activities in the AYUSH sector;

(c) the details of law and quality standards of the Government enforced to regulate the manufacturing of AYUSH medicines;

(d) the steps taken by the Government to gain global recognition for AYUSH treatments; and

(e) the details of projects being implemented by the Government to develop AYUSH therapies in the country? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) With the view to fulfil the mandate of promotion, Ministry is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM) through State/UT Governments for development & promotion of Ayush System including Ayurveda in the country and providing financial assistance to them as per the proposal received in their State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). State/UT Governments may avail financial assistance by submitting proposals through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per NAM guidelines.

Further, the Ministry implements the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of Information Education and Communication (IEC) in Ayush to create awareness regarding Ayush Systems of Medicine including Ayurveda System of medicine. This aims to reach out to all sections of the population across the country. This scheme provides assistance for organizing National/State Arogya Fairs, Yoga Fests/Utsavs, Ayurveda Parvs, etc. Ministry also undertakes Multi-Media, Print Media Campaigns for creating awareness about Ayush System.

Moreover, for the purpose of promotion of Ayurveda, Ministry of Ayush has established 01(one) Research Council namely Central Council for Research in Ayurveda (CCRAS) and 7 (seven) National Institutes. These Institutions / Council alongwith their peripheral institutes/units/centres are providing treatment through General Outpatient Department (OPD), Page 1 of 6Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) OPD, Geriatric OPD, Non-Communicable Disease

(NCD) Clinic etc. and also engaged in awareness activities to promote Ayurveda.

(b) For the purpose of promoting and strengthening research activities in the AYUSH sector, the Ministry of Ayush has established five research councils covering Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. The details of the plans of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Siddha

(CCRS), Central Research Institutes of Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) and Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy

(CCRH) are mentioned at Annexure- I. In addition to above the National Institutes under the Ministry are also involved in research activities.

(c) The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made there under have exclusive regulatory provisions for Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani, and Homoeopathy drugs. Provisions relating to Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Unani Drugs are contained in Chapter IVA and Schedule- I of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and in Rules 151 to 169, Schedules E(I), T & TA of the Drugs Rules, 1945. Further, Rules 2dd, 30AA, 67 (C-H), 85 (A to I), 106-A, Schedule K, Schedule M-I of the Drugs Rules, 1945 pertain to Homoeopathic drugs.

Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), subordinate office under Ministry of Ayush lays down the formulary specifications and pharmacopoeial standards for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs which serves as official compendia for ascertaining the quality (identity, purity and strength) of the ASU&H drugs. As per Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules 1945, compliance to these quality standards are mandatory for the manufacturing of ASU&H drugs. PCIM&H also acts as the Central Drugs Laboratory for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy for the purpose of testing or analysis of ASU&H Drugs. Further, PCIM & H impart training to the Drug Regulatory Authorities, State Drug Analyst etc.

(d) Ministry of Ayush is implementing 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; facilitates the International promotion, development and recognition of AYUSH systems 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 including Ayurveda.

Under the CSS IC Scheme 27 Country to Country Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)s, 16 Ayush Chair MoUs and 54 Institute to Institute level MoUs have been signed.

(e) The research activities of the CCRAS include Medicinal Plant Research, Drug Standardization, Pharmacological Research, Clinical Research, Literary Research & Documentation programme, Fundamental research, pharmaceutical research and Public Health Research. In 2025–26, a total of 53 projects have been completed up to 31st January 2026, and 232 research projects are presently ongoing at CCRAS.

Page 2 of 6Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) is undertaking clinical research initiatives through a network of 21 Institutes/ Units / Centre in various parts of the country. The Council adheres to all prescribed guidelines to ensure high-quality / robust scientific validation and evidence-based research in Unani Medicine. The research drugs are manufactured at the Council’s GMP-certified pharmacies located in Hyderabad and Chennai. Research protocols are developed and finalized in consultation with multidisciplinary experts, following ICMR, AYUSH, and GCP guidelines. These protocols are reviewed by the respective research sub- committees and the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). Ethical aspects are overseen by the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), and regular onsite monitoring is carried out by Institutional Multidisciplinary Research Advisory Committee (IMRAC).

The Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN) is implementing various projects to develop and standardize Yoga and Naturopathy therapies in the country, including clinical research studies on lifestyle disorders, establishment of research in institute and mind- body intervention centres, and collaborative projects with premier institutions to scientifically validate Yoga and Naturopathy therapies. The council is also involved in setting up advanced research infrastructure, conducting multi-centric trials, and promoting integrative healthcare models to strengthen the development and wider adoption of Yoga and Naturopathy therapies.

National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) has the following projects to develop Ayush therapies:- I. Management of Alcohol Addiction (Alcohol Use Disorders) with Ayurvedic Medicines, Yoga, Counselling and Lifestyle Modifications in Jamwa Ramgarh Tehsil of Jaipur District”.

II. Management of Pre-diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes mellitus in male and female patients of 25-70 years age group with Ayurvedic medicines along with yoga and lifestyle modification in chaksu block of Jaipur district, Rajasthan.

III. Ayurveda Interventions to reduce and prevent malnutrition in children of Jamwaramgarh block of Jaipur District, Rajasthan.

Further, one of the Institute established in North East namely NEIAH has also started One-year Panchakarma Technician Certificate from the Academic Session 2018-2019. ***** Page 3 of 6Annexure-I A. Research activities of Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences

(CCRAS)

The objectives of CCRAS are as follows:

1. To undertake research on principles and practices of Ayurveda including diet, formulation, dosage forms, drug delivery system, panchakarma procedures, Marma therapy, Shalya- Shalakya procedures etc.

2. To undertake epidemiological surveys for various purposes like Prakriti, Sarata other health indicators, dietary habits, changing disease patterns etc.

3. To develop scientific assessment tools and parameters suitable to Ayurveda.

4. To conduct research on natural resources for their sustained availability, quality etc.

5. Identifying newer natural resources for purpose of prevention and treatment of various diseases.

6. To conduct clinical research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic pharmacopeial formulations and other drugs and approaches in treating identified diseases and conditions. Clinical

7. Research for safety and efficacy evaluation of Ayurvedic Pharmacopeial formulations and other Drugs and Approaches in identified diseases/conditions

8. Medico Ethno-Botanical Survey across the country

9. To Establish novel methods of analysis for standardization and quality control of single drugs and compound formulations

10. Experimental studies to establish safety profile of Ayurvedic drugs/ formulations

11. Tribal Health Care Research Programme including documentation of Local HealthTraditions/ folk claims.

12. Retrieval and revival of Ayurvedic texts from ancient manuscripts and publication of journals, monographs, books, technical reports, Information, Education and Communication material (IEC) etc.

B. Research activities of Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) ❖ CCRS conducts evidence-Based Research in Siddha Medicine for the systematic scientific evaluation of Siddha drugs, therapies, and diagnostic principles using modern research methodologies such as laboratory studies, clinical trials, and pharmacological investigations to establish safety, efficacy, and quality. Such research also contributes to the development and standardization of Siddha drugs, ensuring consistency and quality control in formulations. Furthermore, it facilitates the integration of Siddha into mainstream healthcare systems, enhancing its role in public health.

❖ The research programme of CCRS mainly focuses on

1. Clinical Research: Validation of safety and efficacy of Siddha formulations

2. Pharmacological Research

3. Survey and Medicinal Plant Research

4. Drug standardisation and Quality Control

5. Literary Research: Documentation, Manuscripts, Publication- Books, Monographs.

6. Siddha Pharmacopoeial and Formulary Works Page 4 of 6C. Research activities of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy is regularly undertaking the following steps for

research projects to strengthen research infrastructure:- Infrastructure Upgradation

1. Regional Research Institute (H), Jaipur, Rajasthan upgraded to Central Research Institute for Homoeopathy.

2. Construction of own building for Regional Research Institute (H) (RRIH) at Mumbai.

3. Construction of Hostel block for PG students at NHRIMH, Kottayam.

4. Construction of own building and upgradation of Homoeopathic Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh to Central Research Institute for Homoeopathy.

5. Construction of own building and upgradation of Clinical Research Unit (H), Siliguri to Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy.

6. Establishment of HIV laboratory at JSPS Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana.

7. Establishment of Fundamental Research Laboratory being established at Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, Kolkata.

8. These laboratories are responsible for to explore the action of homoeopathic medicines, standardization of raw materials used in Homoeopathy through modern techniques such as HPTLC, spectrometer, spectrophotometer instruments, RTPCR, Elisa reader with BSL-2 lab facilities.

Post Graduate Education • Central Research Institute (H) at Kottayam for treating psychiatric diseases has been upgraded to National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health and also imparting PG education in two subjects with 13 seats practice of medicine and 12 seats Psychiatry.

Laboratory Facilities • Molecular Lab, Drug Standardization lab, Pathology lab, Virology laboratory, Animal House, at Dr. Anjali Chatterjee Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy, Kolkata, for undertaking research in Homoeopathy.

• Drug Standardization lab, In house pharmacy, Zebrafish lab, Animal house, Biochemistry lab at Dr. D.P. Rastogi Central Research Institute (Homoeopathy), Noida.

Human Resource Management • CCRH has regularly recruited research staff in various projects for strengthening research output.

CCRH has taken initiative to link Homoeopathy along with mainstream healthcare set- up by undertaking various Public Health programmes.

Page 5 of 6D. Research activities of Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy

(CCRYN) The Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN) is implementing following plan to increase research in the field of Yoga & Naturopathy: • Established one Central Research Institutes of Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYN) each at Delhi, Haryana and Karnataka.

• Collaborative Research Centre’s (CRC):- The Council is running a Scheme of establishing collaborative Research Centre’s (CRC) to undertake Collaborative Research with leading Medical as well as Yoga and Naturopathy Institutions.

• Centre for Mind Body Intervention through Yoga:- CCRYN has setup Centre for Mind Body Intervention through Yoga (CMBIY): AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhopal, AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Raipur, AIIMS Chhattisgarh, AIIMS NCI, AIIMS Jhajjar, Haryana, AIIMS Rishikesh, PGI Chandigarh, S-VYASA, Bangalore, NIMHANS, Bangalore & AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana.

E. Research activities of Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) is conducting evidence-based research programme through its 24 Institutes/Units/Centre. These research programme includes clinical research, drug standardization research, fundamental, literary research, survey and cultivation of medicinal plants. Besides the quality control of Unani drugs, New Drug development for different lifestyle diseases is being carried out by the Council **** Page 6 of 6