Parliament Question: Promotion of Siddha System of Medicine

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3589 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2026 “Promotion of Siddha System of Medicine” 3589. Smt. Manju Sharma: Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state: (a) whether the Siddha system of medicine is being adequately promoted in the country, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; (b) the steps taken by the Government to popularise this system of medicine; (c) whether a number of posts relating to Siddha medicine are lying vacant in various States; (d) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and district-wise including the northern States; and (e) whether the Government proposes to fill up these vacant posts in the near future, if so, the details thereof along with the timeframe fixed for the same in this regard? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) & (b) The Government promotes AYUSH systems of medicine in the country, including Siddha, through various initiatives. The Ministry of AYUSH implements a Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) in AYUSH, under which activities such as Arogya Fairs, Yoga Fests/Utsavs, celebration of important AYUSH days including Siddha Day, seminars, workshops, conferences, exhibitions and multimedia campaigns are organised to create awareness among the public. Further, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) is being implemented through State/UT Governments for the overall development and promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine including Siddha, under which financial assistance is provided to States/UTs as per the proposals received in their State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). In addition, the Ministry through its Autonomous bodies like National Institute of Siddha (NIS) and Central Council of Research in Siddha (CCRS), promote the Siddha system of medicine through education, research and healthcare services. The National Institute of Siddha conducts UG, PG and Ph.D courses, provides patient care and organizes awareness programmes such as Siddha Day celebrations, seminars, workshops, outreach camps, mobile Siddha clinics andsocial media initiatives, while CCRS promotes Siddha through its network of research institutes and clinical units across various States/UTs by providing OPD/IPD services, specialized treatments, Swasthya Rakshan programmes and health awareness campaigns to expand Siddha- based preventive and promotive healthcare among the public. (c) & (d) The Ministry of AYUSH does not maintain data regarding vacant posts of Siddha medicine in a State-wise and district-wise manner. However, as per the information provided by the autonomous bodies under the Ministry, namely the National Institute of Siddha (NIS) and the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), details of vacant posts relating to Siddha medicine are placed at Annexure. (e) Filling up of vacant posts is a continuous process. The Government takes necessary steps to fill up vacancies as per the extant Recruitment Rules through appropriate modes of recruitment. However, no specific time-frame can be indicated at present. ***Annexure a) Vacant post in National Institute of Siddha (NIS):- Vacant Post in NIS Chennai S.No. Name of the Post No. of Vacancy 1 Professor 3 2 Associate Professor 1 3 Assistant Professor 1 Total 5 b) Vacant post in Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS):- Vacant Post in CCRS S. Name of the Post Vacancy District State /UT No. 1. R esearch Officer (Siddha) 2 Chennai Tamil Nadu Chennai Tamil Nadu 2. Research Officer (Pathology) 2 Puducherry Puduchery, UT 3. Research Officer (Chemistry) 1 Thiruvananthapuram Kerala 4. Research Assistant (Chemistry) 2 Chennai Tamil Nadu 5. Social Worker 1 Chennai Tamil Nadu 6. Staff Nurse 1 Puducherry Puducherry, UT 8 posts in Chennai Tamil Nadu Medical Laboratory Technologist 1 post in Kerala 7. 12 (MLT) Thiruvananthapuram 3 posts in Chennai Tamil Nadu 2 post in Chennai Tamil Nadu 8. Lab. Attendant 3 1 post in Kerala Thiruvananthapuram Total 24