**Executive Summary:**
This document outlines the Indian government's initiatives to promote AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) systems of medicine across the country. It details financial assistance provided under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), integration of AYUSH treatments into mainstream healthcare, international collaborations, and measures for quality control and regulation of AYUSH medicines and practitioners. The information reflects the Ministry of AYUSH's efforts as of August 1, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **National AYUSH Mission (NAM):**
* Financial assistance is provided to State/UT Governments for the development and promotion of AYUSH systems, based on their State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).
* Activities supported include:
* Operationalization of Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush Health and Wellness Centers).
* Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs).
* Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals and Dispensaries.
* Setting up of integrated Ayush Hospitals (50-30 bedded).
* Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush facilities.
* Ayush Public Health Programmes.
* Establishment of new Ayush colleges and infrastructural development of existing institutions.
* A central share of Rs. 5670.82 Crore has been released to State/UT Governments for approved activities.
* **Promotion of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC):**
* A Central Sector Scheme promotes awareness regarding AYUSH systems of medicine.
* Activities include organizing fairs, festivals, seminars, workshops, and multimedia campaigns.
* **Integration into Mainstream Healthcare:**
* Co-location of Ayush facilities at PHCs, CHCs, and DHs to provide patients with a choice of medical systems.
* Engagement and training of Ayush doctors and paramedics supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the National Health Mission (NHM).
* Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are developed, and Ayush doctors are deployed as Community Health Officers under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
* **International Collaboration:**
* The Ministry of Ayush promotes international cooperation (IC Scheme) to boost the export of AYUSH products and services.
* The scheme facilitates international promotion, development, and recognition of AYUSH systems.
* 25 Country to Country Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), 15 Ayush Chair MoUs, and 52 Institute to Institute level MoUs have been signed.
* **Quality Control and Regulation:**
* The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Drugs Rules, 1945, provide regulatory provisions for AYUSH drugs.
* Manufacturers must adhere to licensing requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and quality standards.
* Drug Inspectors collect samples for quality testing.
* The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIMH) sets formulary specifications and pharmacopoeial standards.
* 108 private laboratories are approved/licensed, and 34 Drug Testing Laboratories of State/UTs are testing the quality of AYUSH drugs and raw materials.
* The Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) supports Ayush Pharmacies and Drug Testing Laboratories (total financial allocation of Rs. 122.00 crores for five years).
* An Ayush vertical has been created in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
* Quality Council of India (QCI) implements Quality Certifications Scheme for AYUSH products.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **State/UT Governments:**
* *Impact:* Receive financial assistance and support for promoting AYUSH systems within their jurisdictions.
* *Action Required:* Develop and submit State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) to avail of financial assistance under NAM.
* **AYUSH Practitioners:**
* *Impact:* Opportunities for engagement and training in mainstream healthcare settings.
* *Action Required:* Participate in training programs and contribute to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme as Community Health Officers.
* **AYUSH Drug Manufacturers:**
* *Impact:* Potential for increased demand and export opportunities, subject to regulatory compliance.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to GMP standards, obtain necessary licenses and certifications, and explore international markets.
* **Patients/Citizens:**
* *Impact:* Increased access to AYUSH treatments through integrated healthcare facilities.
* *Action Required:* Utilize available AYUSH facilities and treatments as part of their healthcare choices.
* **Drug Regulatory Authorities/Drug Testing Laboratories:**
* *Impact:* Implementation of stricter quality control measures for ASUH drugs.
* *Action Required:* Participate in Capacity Building Trainings at regular interval for standardizationquality control testing or analysis of ASUH drugs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of AYUSH: The Indian government ministry responsible for developing and promoting AYUSH systems of medicine.
National AYUSH Mission (NAM): A centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of AYUSH to promote and develop AYUSH systems of medicine in India.
Ayushman Bharat Scheme: A healthcare scheme by the Government of India that aims to provide affordable healthcare to all citizens, including integrating AYUSH treatments.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir: Health and Wellness Centres upgraded from existing Health Sub Centres for providing Ayush treatment under Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: Indian legislation that regulates the manufacture, sale, and distribution of drugs and cosmetics, including specific provisions for AYUSH medicines.
Drugs Rules, 1945: Rules under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, providing regulatory guidelines for the licensing and manufacturing of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs.
Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine Homoeopathy (PCIMH): A subordinate office under the Ministry of AYUSH responsible for laying down the formulary specifications and pharmacopoeial standards for ASUH drugs.
Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY): A Central Sector Scheme implemented by Ministry of AYUSH to support Ayush Pharmacies and Drug Testing Laboratories to achieve higher standards
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2262
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
Promotion of AYUSH System of Medicine
2262. Smt. Shambhavi:
Shri Rajesh Verma:
Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar:
Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde:
Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske:
Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote the AYUSH systems of
medicine across the country, particularly under the National AYUSH Mission;
(b) whether any financial assistance has been allocated for the establishment of
AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres and if so, the total amount approved thereof;
(c) the manner in which the Government plans to integrate AYUSH treatments into
mainstream healthcare, particularly through initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat
scheme;
(d) whether there is any collaborations with international institutions to enhance the
global reach of AYUSH systems and if so, the details of such partnerships; and
(e) the measures being implemented to ensure quality control and regulation of
AYUSH medicines and practitioners in the country?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) & (b) Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of 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 to them under different activities as per the proposals received through their
State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per provisions of NAM guideline. NAM inter-
alia makes provision for the following activities: -
(i) Operationalization of Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) by upgrading
existing Ayush Dispensaries and Sub Health Centers.
(ii) Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community
Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs).
(iii) Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.
1(iv) Upgradation of existing Government/Panchayat/Government aided Ayush
Dispensaries/Construction of building for existing Ayush Dispensary (Rented/
dilapidated accommodation)/ Construction of building to establish new Ayush
Dispensary in the area where there are no Ayush facilities available.
(v) Setting up of 50/30/10 bedded integrated Ayush Hospitals.
(vi) Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals, Government
Dispensaries and Government/Government aided Teaching Institutional Ayush
Hospitals.
(vii) Ayush Public Health Programmes.
(viii) Establishment of new Ayush colleges in the States where availability of
Ayush teaching institutions is inadequate in Government Sector.
(ix) Infrastructural development of Ayush Under-Graduate Institutions and Ayush
Post-Graduate Institutions/ add on PG/ Pharmacy /Para-Medical Courses.
Under NAM, as per proposal received from State/UT Governments, central
share of Rs. 5670.82 Crore has been released to them for different approved activities
including Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush).
Further, the Ministry of Ayush also implements a Central Sector Scheme for
Promotion of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) in Ayush to create
awareness regarding Ayush Systems of Medicine. This scheme aims to reach out to
all sections of the population across the country and under this Scheme, Ministry
organizes National/State level Arogya Fairs, Yoga Fests/Utsavs, Ayurveda Parvs,
Celebrate Important Days of Ayush Systems including Ayurveda day, Participate in
Health Fairs/ Melas & Exhibitions, Provide financial assistance for organizing
seminars, workshops, conferences and conduct multimedia campaigns etc.
(c) Government of India has adopted a strategy of Co-location of Ayush facilities at
Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District
Hospitals (DHs), thus enabling the choice to the patients for different systems of
medicines under a single window. The engagement of Ayush doctors/ paramedics and
their training is supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under National
Health Mission (NHM), while the support for Ayush infrastructure, equipment/
furniture and medicines are being provided by the Ministry of Ayush under National
Ayush Mission (NAM) as shared responsibilities. Further, under Ayushman Bharat
Scheme, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs which have been developed by Health
Department by upgrading Health Sub Centres and Ayush doctors have been deployed
as Community Health Officers, provision has been made for providing Ayush
treatment to the beneficiaries visiting the facilities.
(d) Yes, The 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; facilitates the International
promotion, development and recognition of AYUSH systems of medicine; foster
2interaction 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 25 Country to Country Memorandum of
Understandins (MoUs), 15 Ayush Chair MoUs and 52 Institute to Institute level
MoUs have been signed.
(e) The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 have exclusive
regulatory provisions for Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani, and Homoeopathy
drugs. Rule 158-B and Rule 85 (A to I) of the Drugs Rules, 1945 provides the
regulatory guidelines for issue of license to manufacture Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa-
Rigpa, Unani (ASSU) and Homoeopathy medicines respectively. It is mandatory for
the manufacturers to adhere to the prescribed requirements for licensing of
manufacturing units & medicines including proof of safety & effectiveness,
compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as per Schedule T &
Schedule M-I of the Drugs Rules, 1945 for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani drugs and
Homoeopathy drugs respectively and also to follow the quality standards of drugs as
prescribed in the respective pharmacopoeia.
Drug Inspectors collect medicine samples regularly from manufacturing firms
or sale shops within their jurisdiction and send them to Drug Testing Laboratory
under Drug Control department for quality testing and if any sample is found to be
‘Not of Standard Quality’, appropriate action is initiated such as preventing the sale of
the products from the market and appropriate legal actions as per Drugs and
Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules made thereunder
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.
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, it
imparts Capacity Building Trainings at regular interval for standardization/quality
control/ testing or analysis of ASU&H drugs to Drug Regulatory Authorities, State
Drug Testing Laboratories (Drug Analyst) and other stakeholders on quality control
of ASU&H drugs on laboratory techniques and methods used to maintain the quality
of ASU&H drugs.
Drug Testing Laboratories are being recognized under Rule 160 A to J of the
Drugs Rules, 1945 for carrying out such tests of identity, purity, quality and strength
of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs. As on date, 108
private laboratories are approved or licensed under the provisions of Drugs Rules,
31945 for manufacturers. 34 Drug Testing Laboratories of State/UTs are testing quality
of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and raw materials
for legal samples.
Ministry of Ayush has implemented Central Sector Scheme Ayush Oushadhi
Gunvatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) to support Ayush
Pharmacies and Drug Testing Laboratories to achieve higher standards under one of
the components. The total financial allocation to this scheme is Rs. 122.00 crores for
five years.
Further Ministry of Ayush encourages following certifications of Ayush
products as per details below:-
• An Ayush vertical has been created in Central Drugs Standard Control
Organization (CDSCO) to strengthen regulatory measures ensuring safety and
quality of Ayush drugs. Further, CDSCO issues WHO Certificate of
Pharmaceutical Product (WHO-CoPP) to Ayush drugs having compliance to such
standards.
• Quality Certifications Scheme implemented by the Quality Council of India (QCI)
for grant of AYUSH standard and premium mark to Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani
products on the basis of third-party evaluation of quality in accordance with the
status of compliance to domestic and international standards.
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