Lok Sabha Question No. 279 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Promotion of Ayurveda and Yoga
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-279 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21/07/2023

## 'PROMOTION OFAYURVEDAANDYOGA'

## 279: SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government subscribes to the view that the country needs to stay authentic for the international market, and continue to promote Ayurveda and yoga, and keep the entry requirements to India consistent;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the initiatives taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OFAYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDASONOWAL)

(a) and (b) Yes, The Ministry of Ayush has adopted several proactive 'product and services' strategy to stay authentic in the international as well as domestic market.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) is a comprehensive document that contains standards for the quality, safety, and efficacy of Ayurvedic drugs. It provides guidelines for the identification, purity, and strength of Ayurvedic ingredients, formulations, and finished products. The API is developed and regularly updated by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the experts in the field.

Certificate of Pharmaceutical Products (COPP) as per World Health Organization- Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO GMP) Certification Scheme is granted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). It certifies that a particular pharmaceutical product, including Ayurvedic medicines, has been manufactured in accordance with the relevant guidelines and meets the quality standards required for its registration and sale in India and international markets. The COPP is an important requirement for obtaining marketing authorizations and exporting pharmaceutical products.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed benchmark standards for the training of Ayurveda which standardizes the adequate training of practitioners globally.

WHO also has standards for assessing quality of herbal medicines. These standards provide guidelines for the quality and safety of herbal medicines, including Ayurvedic products

To certify yoga practices, the Yoga Certification Board (YCB) was established by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. The YCB aims to standardize the certification process for yoga professionals, ensuring they meet set standards for education, training, and competence. By assessing knowledge, skills, and adherence to standardized practices, the YCB promotes quality control and provides certification to qualified yoga professionals.

The Ministry of Ayush, to further this initiative, developed the central sector scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for Ayush. 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.

Several initiatives undertaken during 2021-22 & 2022-23 by the Ministry such as inclusion of 'Traditional Medicine' chapter in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD); Draft Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahar) Regulation, 2021; emphasis on scientific research; Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL); WHO global Centre for Traditional Medicine; yoga as competitive sport with formation of International Yogasana Sports Federation; Yogasana announced as sport; creation of a Strategic Policy and Facilitation Bureau, etc.

In addition, the Ministry of Ayush has taken the following steps towards the international recognition for Ayush systems of medicine:

- Signed 24 Country to Country MoUs for Cooperation in field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy with foreign nations.
- Signed 46 MoUs with international institutes for undertaking Collaborative Research / Academic collaboration.
- Signed 15 MoUs with international institutes for setting up of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign nations.
- Supported the establishment of 39 Ayush Information Cells in 35 foreign nations.
- Offers scholarships to foreign nationals for studying Ayush courses in recognized Ayush institutions in India under International Ayush Fellowship/Scholarship Programme.

(c) Not Applicable

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