Lok Sabha Question No. 738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Improvement of Training in AYUSH
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.-738

## ANSWERED ON 26 th  July, 2024

'Improvement of Training in AYUSH'

## 738.   Shri Anurag Sharma:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  implemented  any  measures  to  improve  the  quality  of education and training in AYUSH medical colleges and institutions in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  public  awareness  and acceptance of AYUSH treatments and practices across the country; and
- (c) the efforts made  by  the  Government  to  establish  international collaborations or partnerships to promote AYUSH systems globally?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) MINISTERY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a)          In  the  process  of  promotion  and  development  of  the  Ayush  education  sector  and  to streamline  the  education  of  the  Indian  System  of  Medicine  &  Homoeopathy  (ISM  &  H),  the Central Government has enacted the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act 2020  (NCISM  Act  2020)  and  National  Commission  for  Homoeopathy  Act  2020  (NCH  Act 2020). Further, the Central Government, by notification, constituted two commissions, namely the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the National Commission for  Homoeopathy  (NCH) to exercise the powers conferred upon and to perform the functions assigned to them under the NCISM Act 2020 & NCH Act 2020 respectively.

Further, various measures taken by the NCISM, NCH and Research Councils under the Ministry of Ayush to improve the quality of education and training in ASUSR & H Medical Colleges and institutions  in  the  country,  some  of  the  salient  measures  taken  by  the  NCISM  and  NCH  to improve  quality  education  in  Ayurveda,  Unani,  Siddha,  Sowa  -Rigpa  and  Homoeopathy institutions are as:

- i. Admission  is  being  done  through  the  common  Entrance  Examination  now  National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET-UG) to all Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy (ASU & H) Under-Graduate courses conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).
- ii. Admissions to all Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy (ASU & H) Post graduate Colleges are being done through a common Entrance test called All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET) conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).
- iii. All India Quota Seats have been created: Minimum 15% of the total seats (which may be more as per existing rules of the concerned State/University/Institutes) of all ASU & H (UG  &  PG)  courses  in  Government,  Government  aided,  Private  Colleges,  Deemed Universities, Central Universities and National Institutes from academic year 2019-20.
- iv. A Committee namely AYUSH Admissions Central Counseling Committee (AACCC) is constituted to  conduct  counselling  for  All  India  Quota  (AIQ)  seats  under  Government, Government aided, Central Universities National Institutes and Deemed Universities  in each academic year.

## (I) National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM)

## POLICY REFORMS

1. Notified  regulation  namely  National  Commission  for  Indian  System  of  Medicine  (Minimum Standards  of  Undergraduate  Education)  Regulations-2022,  for  Ayurveda,  Unani  and  Siddha system of Medicine based on National Education Policy (NEP) for ASU colleges.
2. ASU  teaching  institutes  shall  be  rated  hereafter  by  NCISM  based  on  specific  criteria  on infrastructure, facility, functionality and innovative initiatives on the basis of regulation namely National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum essential standards, assessment

and  rating  for  undergraduate  colleges  and  attached  teaching  hospitals)  Regulations,  2024  for Ayurveda. Unani and Siddha system of Medicine.

3. Recognition  of  degree  inclusion  under  section  35  of  NCISM  Act,  2020  and  Recognition  of degree  inclusion  under  section  36  of  NCISM  Act,  2020  for  Foreign  Students  have  been initiated.

## CURRICULAR REFORMS

1. Introduced  competency  based  curriculum  and  syllabus  in  ASU  education  and  implemented from 2021-22 academic session onwards wherein all Advance  Teaching, Training as well as Assessment  Methods  are  incorporated  for  the  same  nearly  3000  teachers  of  Ist  professional were trained by experts.
2. The  ratio  of  Lecture  and  Non-Lecture  hours  as  reversed  and  fixed  as  1:2  to  ensure  skill development.
3. Methodology  to  supplement  modern  advances,  scientific  and  technological  developments  in ASUS curriculum has been included in the regulations.
4. Industry-Academia interface has been initiated to provide industry exposure to the postgraduate students of concerned speciality in ASU,
5. To acquaint knowledge in multidisciplinary aspects, online Elective courses being implemented from 2021-22.

## CAPACITY BUILDING

1. An orientation program for all PG guides, conducted by the NCISM to improve the quality of PG dissertation work and subsequent publications in ASU colleges.
2. NCISM  has  initiated  the  proceedings  to  facilitate  industry  academic  interface  to  provide industry oriented training for ASU PG students.
3. Steps  have  been  taken  by  NCISM  to  formulate  the  Methodology  to  incorporate  Modern Advances, Scientific and Technological Development in the curriculum of ASU.
4. National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), New Delhi has entered in MoU with  National  Institute  of  Educational  Planning  and  Administration  (NIEPA)  (Deemed  to  be University)  to  provide  capacity  development  through  a  need-based  training  program  for  the principals of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha & Sowa-Rigpa Colleges working under the administrative control of  NCISM and to improve the strengthening support and co-ordination

of  the  principals.  And  under  this,  05  days  training  program  has  been  completed  successfully from July 2023 to July 2024

5. To enhance the awareness of Good Publication Practices and change the perception of scientific writing among AYUSH community to address the gap prevailing in the current scenario in this domain, NCISM  in  collaboration with Centre for Publication Ethics and Centre for Complementary  &  Integrative  Health  (CCIH),  Savitribai  Phule  Pune  University,  Pune  has trained 60 Master Trainers on "Scientific Writing, Research Integrity and Publication Ethics"of ASU systems. These Master Trainers are intended to train all PG guides throughout the country. Further,  NCISM  has  organize  03  days  orientation  program  through  ASU,  PG  institutes  to sensitize all the post-graduate guides on "Scientific Writing, Research Integrity and Publication Ethics"
6. In order to make the teachers of Sanskrit familiar with the Computational tools and platforms and to use them effectively, NCISM has entered into MoU with University of Hyderabad and then it was proposed to conduct a 3-day workshop for the Sanskrit teachers from all Ayurveda Colleges recognized under NCISM.

## (II) National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH)

To ensure quality education in Homoeopathy. Homoeopathy Education Board, National Commission for Homoeopathy has taken following steps:

-  Homoeopathy Graduate Degree Course B.H.M.S. Regulation 2022 gazetted on 7.12.2022 has various new initiatives like early clinical exposure, introduction of electives, faculty development  foundation  programme,  programme,  finishing  programme  at  end  of  internship. inclusion of new subjects like pharmacology, psychology and yoga.
-  NCH has envisioned  raising  competencies  and  skills  of  teaching  faculties  in  alignment  with modern understanding with a regular update vis- a-vis technological advancement.
-  NCH has drawn standards for education and practice of Homoeopathy, regulates the same for promoting quality education Homoeopathic system of medicine.
-  Homoeopathy  medical  colleges  are  encouraged  to  get  NAAC  and  NABH  accreditation  for quality services to public through attached hospitals.
-  NCH Act has provision for National Teachers Eligibility Test (NTET) for incumbent teachers and National Exit Test (NeXT) for students for improvement in quality of education.
-  National Commission for Homoeopathy has developed Competency Based Dynamic Curriculum  for  both  Under  graduate  and  post  graduate  courses  for  which  various  zone  wise trainings have been conducted for the faculties of first, second, third and fourth BHMS.
-  Electives  have  been  formed  and  are  made  available  on  Ayush  Education  Portal  on  various topics  for  the  students  to  enhance  their  knowledge  on  different  topics  like-  Orientation  of different Health Systems India, Anthropometry, Personality development.
-  The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), New Delhi an autonomous organization, has taken following steps for promoting AYUSH  Education in the country :-

## (a) For Post Graduate students -

-  Ayush Ph.D. Fellowship programme.
-  CCRAS Post-Doctoral Fellowship Scheme (PDF)
-  Scheme for Training in Ayurveda Research for PG Scholars (PG-STAR)

## (b) For Under Graduate Students -

-  Studentship Programme for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK)

## (c)  For  Candidates  with  Intermediate/  Senior  School  Certificate  Examination (Class XII) (12 years of Schooling) -

-  Panchakarma Technician Course (PTC)
- (b)  Through the ASUSR & H Colleges situated across the country under NCISM and NCH, the Promotional activities, healthcare services, awareness are extended to Public.

Further,  Research  Councils  (CCRAS,  CCRS,  CCRUM,  CCRH  &  CCRYN)  and  the National  Institutes  under  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  have  taken  various  steps  to  increase public awareness and acceptance of AYUSH treatments and practices across the country through  healthcare  services  (OPD/IPD),  Workshops,  Seminars,  Research  activities, CMES, Conferences and Special OPDs etc.

The  Ministry  of  Ayush  is  implementing  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  National Ayush Mission (NAM) through State/UT Governments for development and promotion and to create awareness among people about the use of Ayush system of medicines for the treatment of common ailments and providing financial assistance to them against their proposals received through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per the provisions of NAM guideline. The Mission inter-alia makes provision for the following activities: -

- (i)    Operationalization  of  Ayushman  Arogya  Mandir  (Ayush)  by  upgrading  existing Ayush dispensaries and Health Sub-centres.
- (ii)    Co-location  of  Ayush  facilities  at  Primary  Health  Centres  (PHCs),  Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs).

(iii) Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals, Government Dispensaries  and  Government/  Government  aided  Teaching  Institutional  Ayush Hospitals.

- (iv)   Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.
- (v)    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.
- (vi)   Setting up of 50/30/10 bedded integrated Ayush Hospitals.
- (vii)  Ayush Public Health Programs.
- (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.
- (x)  Infrastructural  development  of  Ayush  Post-Graduate  Institutions/add  on  PG/ Pharmacy/Para-Medical Courses.

State/UT  Governments  may  avail  the  financial  assistance  by  submitting  the  proposals through SAAPs as per the provisions of NAM guideline.

- (c)    The Ministry of Ayush under the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation in  Ayush (IC Scheme), supports Ayush  Industry/  Ayush Service providers to

export  Ayush  products  and  services.  The  scheme  also  has  provision  to  support  holding training  workshop/  symposiums  for  promoting  and  strengthening  awareness  and  interest about  Ayush  Systems  of  Medicine  at  international  level.  The  Ministry  is  engaged  in multilateral  cooperation  with  various  forums  viz.  BRI  CS,  SCO,  ASEAN,  IBSA,  G  20, BIMSTEC etc. and bilateral dialogues with various countries across the world to facilitates the International promotion, development & recognition of Ayush systems of medicine. Till date, Ministry of Ayush has signed 24 Country to Country Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)  for  cooperation  in  the  field  of  traditional  medicines;  50  MoUs  with  international institutes  for  undertaking  Collaborative  Research  /  Academic  collaboration  and  15  MoUs with  international  institutes  for  setting  up  of  Ayush  Academic  Chairs  in  foreign  nations. Under  these  MoUs,  various  activities  for  promotion  of  Ayurveda  education,  research,  pro ducts  &  services.  Ministry  of  Ayush  under  its  Ayush  scholarship  scheme,  offers  104 scholarships  every  year  to  the  eligible  foreign  nationals  from  102  countries  for  pursuing undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG) and Ph.D courses in Ayush in premier Institutes in India.

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