Steps Taken to Promote Ayush Medicine

The Ministry of Ayush's recent regulatory overhaul through the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) marks a watershed moment in India's traditional medicine landscape. Established under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020 and the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020 respectively, these bodies replaced the erstwhile Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH), which had been mired in allegations of corruption and inefficiency. This legislative shift was not merely administrative — it reflected a strategic intent to align Ayush education with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's vision of holistic, multidisciplinary, and competency-based learning. The reforms span curriculum redesign, assessment innovation, technology integration, and quality assurance — all aimed at producing globally competitive practitioners rooted in India's medical heritage. At the heart of this transformation is the shift from rote memorization to competency-based education. The reversal of the lecture-to-non-lecture ratio to 1:2 at the undergraduate level — across BAMS (Ayurveda), BSMS (Siddha), and BUMS (Unani) — signals a pedagogical revolution. Early clinical exposure from the first professional year, mandatory induction programs, and the introduction of electives foster interdisciplinary thinking and self-directed learning. At the postgraduate level, the semester system, credit framework (with a 1:2:3 lecture-practical-experiential learning ratio), and formative assessments tied to SGPA calculation ensure rigorous, continuous evaluation. The inclusion of Molecular Biology labs in PG institutes and thrust areas for multidisciplinary research — coordinated through Departments of Integrative Health and Translational Research — bridges traditional knowledge with modern scientific validation. Technology plays a pivotal role. The Ayush Grid — a digital backbone — hosts QR-coded syllabi, Learning Management Systems (LMS) for electives, portals for academic planning, entrepreneurship, research ethics, textbook assessment, and degree recognition. The Educational Lifecycle Management System integrates admission, curriculum, assessment, and faculty development. This digital infrastructure enhances transparency, standardization, and scalability across thousands of institutions. Constitutionally, health is a State subject (Entry 6, State List, Seventh Schedule), making state cooperation essential. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM) provides financial assistance for new Ayush colleges in underserved government sectors, but states must submit proposals via State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). Uttarakhand's failure to submit a proposal for FY 2026-27 highlights implementation gaps despite central support. Meanwhile, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) operates the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) at Ranikhet (Tarikhet), Uttarakhand — a key node for evidence-based Ayurveda research. The significance extends beyond education. Standardized, high-quality Ayush graduates strengthen India's primary healthcare workforce, support the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, and bolster medical tourism and the global wellness economy. The National Teachers' Eligibility Test (NTET) for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, NEET for UG admissions, and AIAPGET for PG — conducted by NTA — ensure merit-based entry. These reforms position India as a global leader in traditional medicine regulation, with potential for mutual recognition agreements and export of educational models. Future implications include deeper integration with modern medicine, AI-driven personalized Ayurveda, and greater private investment in Ayush infrastructure — provided states actively participate in NAM and research ecosystems expand beyond existing hubs.