Parliament Question: Ayurveda Day

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2181 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2026 Ayurveda Day ✝ 2181. Shri Balya Mama Suresh Gopinath Mhatre:

Will the Minister of AYUSH

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is working towards integrating the knowledge of Ayurveda with the modern system of medicine and if so, the details thereof; and

(b) the details of projects launched on the occasion of Ayurveda Day with the aim of strengthening AYUSH healthcare and increasing health awareness among citizens in Maharashtra, district-wise? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) Ministry of Ayush is working towards integrating the knowledge of Ayurveda with the modern system of medicine through multiple initiatives. The major initiatives are as follows: i. Establishment of Ayush Vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services

(DGHS): An Ayush Vertical has been established under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) through collaboration between the Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It serves as a dedicated institutional mechanism for planning, monitoring and supervising Ayush public health programmes and provides technical 1support for integration of Ayush into healthcare services, public health programmes, medical education and capacity building.

ii. Development of Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs): The Ayush Vertical under DGHS has developed evidence-informed Standard Treatment Guidelines to facilitate clinical integration. STGs for six common musculoskeletal disorders and five common metabolic disorders have been published in 2024 and 2025 respectively. National Master Trainer programmes have also been conducted in collaboration with the Central Health Education Bureau, followed by cascading training across States and Union Territories.

iii. Integrated Ayush Departments in Central Government Hospitals: Integrated Ayush Departments have been established at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. These departments provide preventive, promotive and therapeutic healthcare services, including Panchakarma. Ayush Research Councils are also providing extended Ayush OPD services at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Dr.

Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi. iv. Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for Ayush Healthcare Facilities (2024): IPHS for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Ayush hospitals have been developed to standardize infrastructure, human resources, medicines and quality of service delivery, thereby strengthening the integration of Ayush services within the public healthcare system.

v. Public Health Advisories: The Ministry has issued Ayush Public Health Advisories on Heat Wave and Monkeypox in coordination with the National Centre for Disease Control

(NCDC), supporting the integration of Ayush in national public health preparedness and response. vi. Operational Guidelines for the Establishment of Tobacco Cessation Centres (TCCs) in Ayush colleges (2025): Under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the Ayush vertical under DGHS has developed and disseminated the Operational Guidelines for the Establishment of Tobacco Cessation Centres (TCCs) in Ayush Colleges to facilitate the integration of Ayush interventions into tobacco cessation services. More than 450 Ayush colleges have established Tobacco Cessation Centres in accordance with these guidelines.

vii. 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), 2thus 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 is provided by the Ministry of Ayush under National AYUSH Mission (NAM) as shared responsibilities.

viii. National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has developed the Ayush Module – Internship Electives for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha system of medicine. The module provides MBBS interns with structured exposure to Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha system of medicine to promote interdisciplinary learning and integrative healthcare. As per regulation 10 (7) of National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Standards of Undergraduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations-2022, the proportion of modern advances in Syllabus for Ayurveda teaching content shall be up to 40 per cent.

ix. Ministry of Ayush is implementing a Central Sector Scheme namely AYURGYAN since 2021-22. The Scheme has three components viz. (i) Capacity Building & Continuing Medical Education in Ayush; (ii) Research & Innovation in Ayush from FY 2021-22; (iii) Ayurveda Biology Integrated Health Research (ABIHR) from FY 2023-24. Under ABIHR component of the scheme, financial assistance is provided to eligible organizations as per provisions contained in the scheme guidelines for conducting high end research in Ayurveda through integration of basic sciences with conventional system of medicine.

x. To strengthen integration between Ayurveda with the modern systems of medicine, the Ministry of Ayush has funded nine organizations of National repute viz. Tata Memorial Centre, (TMC) Mumbai, Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, Jawaharlal Nehru University, (JNU) New Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Bengaluru, Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research

(CIMR), AIIMS New Delhi, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences

(NIMHANS), Bangalore, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Jodhpur under the Centre of Excellence component of Ayurswasthya Yojana. The projects promote research and development in Ayush with the modern system of medicine to enhance its efficacy and global acceptance. Details of projects are given at Annexure I.

3xi. Details of initiatives taken by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences

(CCRAS) and National Institutes under the Ministry of Ayush for integration of Ayurveda with modern system of medicine are given at Annexure II.

(b) Ministry of Ayush observes Ayurveda Day every year with the objective of promoting Ayurveda and creating health awareness among citizens. The 10th Ayurveda Day was celebrated on 23rd September 2025 with the theme “Ayurveda for People and Planet,” emphasizing holistic health and environmental sustainability. In connection with the celebration of 10th Ayurveda Day a wide spectrum of activities was undertaken across the country, including Ayurveda health camps providing free consultations, diagnostic services, and distribution of medicines;

specialized camps focusing on non-communicable diseases, geriatric care, women and child health, and lifestyle disorders; and outreach services in rural and underserved areas to improve accessibility to traditional healthcare. Educational and awareness initiatives formed a major component, with the organization of seminars, national and international conferences, CME programmes, workshops, and expert lectures to promote evidence-based Ayurveda and integrative healthcare approaches. Multiple projects/initiatives were inaugurated/launched during the main event of 10th Ayurveda Day held at All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa. The details of major projects/initiatives are given at Annexure III.

In Maharashtra, activities undertaken in connection with celebration of Ayurveda Day are implemented through the State Ayush Cell at all Ayush Colleges monitored by Directorate of Ayush and at all co-located Ayush wings at District Hospitals, Women Hospitals, Sub-district Hospitals, Rural Hospitals, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across all over Maharashtra.

*** 4Annexure – I Details of projects supported by the Ministry of Ayush under the Centre of Excellence component of Ayurswasthya Yojana.

S. No. Name of the State Project Name Organization

1. Tata Memorial Maharashtra Centre of Excellence for Discovery Centre, (TMC) and Development of AYUSH Mumbai Medicine for Cancer Care

2. Central Drug Uttar Pradesh Centre of Excellence for Research Institute Fundamental and Translation

(CDRI), Lucknow Research in Ayurveda at Central Drug Research Institute

3. Jawaharlal Nehru Delhi Functional - based CoE on Ayurveda University, (JNU) and Systems Medicine New Delhi

4. Indian Institute of Delhi Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Technology (IIT) Ayush for Advanced technological Delhi solutions, startup support and net zero sustainable solutions for Rasausadhies

5. Indian Institute of Karnataka Centre of Excellence in Diabetes and Science (IISC) Metabolic Disorders Bengaluru

6. Centre for Delhi Centre of Excellence for Yoga & Integrative Medicine Ayurveda and Research

(CIMR), AIIMS, New Delhi

7. National Institute of Karnataka Centre of Excellence in Ayush Mental Health and Research Neurosciences

(NIMHANS), Bangalore

8. Institute of Liver and Delhi Effects of Indian Foods and Biliary Sciences Ayurvedic drugs on healthy and 5(ILBS) Diseases Liver

9. Indian Institute of Rajasthan Centre of Excellence in AYURTech Technology, (IIT) for Integrative Precision Health and Jodhpur Medicine 6Annexure II Details of initiatives taken by the Ministry of Ayush through its Research council and National Institutes S. No Research councils/ Details of initiatives National Institute 1 Central Council for The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences Research in (CCRAS) has undertaken various research studies to Ayurvedic Sciences examine the benefits and feasibility of integration of

(CCRAS) Ayurveda with modern system of medicine such as Operational study to explore the feasibility of integrating Ayurveda with modern system of medicine in a tertiary care hospital (Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi) for the management of Osteoarthritis (Knee), Feasibility of introducing Indian System of Medicine (Ayurveda) in the National Reproductive and Child Health services at Primary Health Care (PHC) level in Himachal Pradesh, Integration of AYUSH systems in National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) and Feasibility of introducing Ayurveda Intervention in Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in PHCs of Selected district (Gadchiroli) of Maharashtra - Effectiveness of Ayurvedic intervention for Ante-Natal care (Garbhini Paricharya) at Primary Health Care level: A Multi Centre Operational Study.

Further under the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Ministry of Ayush to promote Integrative Health 7Research, a community-based clinical trial on Iron Deficiency Anaemia among non-pregnant women has been completed.

In addition, the Indian Council of Medical Research

(ICMR), and Ministry of Ayush through CCRAS have jointly undertaken a major initiative to establish Ayush– ICMR Advanced Centres for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR) at selected AIIMS institutions (AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Nagpur, AIIMS Rishikesh). These centres aim to develop high-quality evidence in priority disease areas and create robust models for integrative healthcare. In these centres research studies on Osteo- arthritis, Mild cognitive impairment, Pulmonary rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

(COPD) and Pneumoconiosis, Abnormal Vaginal Discharge, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome , Gestational Diabetes, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), Pancreaticobiliary diseases, Crohns disease, Ulcerative colitis, Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Pre-malignant oral lesions, Head Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Sarcopenia have been undertaken.

2 All India Institute of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, has a Ayurveda (AIIA) 200 bedded tertiary care hospital with functional ICU. The Institute functions as a model integrative healthcare centre, providing Ayurveda services supported by specialists in modern medicine across various clinical and paraclinical departments. The institute has established integrated oncology, chest diseases, metabolic diseases, lifestyle diseases, rheumatology, and skin clinics. Integrated services are also provided through Satellite Clinical 8Services Units established at Integrative Medical Services Unit at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Integrative Medical Services Unit AIIMS Jhajjar and Centre for Integrative Oncology at National Cancer Institute - AIIMS, Jhajjar. The Institute also has an International Collaborative Centre for global promotion and research in Ayurveda and currently undertaken integrated research in collaboration with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, FIZ Germany, Rosenberg European Academy of Ayurveda, CABSIN & Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil and University Heath Network and Canada India Foundation, Canada 3 National Institute of National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) has established six Ayurveda (NIA) interdisciplinary departments designed to promote both the practice and research of Ayurveda by incorporating the expertise of specialists from Ayurvedic and modern scientific fields. These departments aim to facilitate collaboration between traditional Ayurvedic practitioners and contemporary scientists, encouraging innovative approaches that blend ancient wisdom with modern methodologies. NIA has launched dual Ph.D. degree programs in collaboration with the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). This facilitates research endeavors that adhere to strict scientific methodologies, emphasizing transparency and accountability, while simultaneously honoring and preserving the foundational principles of the ancient Indian knowledge System (IKS).

Further the institute promotes the integration of Ayurveda with modern medicine through collaborative clinical services and evidence-based research. It operates an integrative Ayurveda OPD at the Central Hospital, 9North Western Railway (NWR), Jaipur. NIA is also undertaking collaborative research with the Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

(NSCLC), and with Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Medical College, Jaipur, in Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

(NPDR) and Anterior Uveitis.

10Annexure III Details of projects/initiatives inaugurated/launched during the main event of 10th Ayurveda Day held at All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa

1. Inauguration of facilities i. Integrative Oncology Unit at All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa ii. Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) - Unit at All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa iii. Blood Storage Unit at All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa iv. Hospital Linen Processing & Care Unit at All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa

2. Launches i. Guidelines for Examining Ayush Related Interventions by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) ii. Launch of nationwide campaign - “Desh ka Swasthya Parikshan” - for the assessment of the health status of individuals iii. Launch of the website - ‘Admirable Personalities to Transform Ayurveda (APTA)’- prepared by CCRAS as a tribute to the luminaries in the field of Ayurveda.

iv. Launch of web- based portal – ‘Digitized Retrieval Application for Versatile Yardstick of Ayush Substances (DRAVYA)’ - developed by CCRAS 11