Lok Sabha Question No. 1103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Integration of AYUSH with Modern Medical System
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1103 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025

## Integration of AYUSH with Modern Medical System

1103. Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey: Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state: (a) the steps being taken by the Government for integration of AYUSH with the modern medical system and the promotion of AYUSH system of medicine; (b) the measures taken by the Government to ensure the quality and efficacy of AYUSH doctors and medicines; dispensaries,  health  and  research  centres  in  every  district  of  the  country  on  the  lines  of
2. (c) whether the Government has any plan/has proposed any plan to set up AYUSH hospitals, modern medical system; and
3. (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) The Ministry of Ayush is taking multiple initiatives towards integration of Ayush systems of medicine with modern medicine and for promotion of Ayush systems of medicine:

i. The Ayush Vertical under Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), established by the Ministry  of  Ayush  and  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  (MoH&FW),  serves  as  a dedicated  institutional  mechanism  for  planning,  monitoring,  and  supervising  Ayush-specific public health programs. This vertical provides technical support to both Ministries in developing strategies for public health, healthcare, Ayush education, and training.

ii. The Ministry of Ayush and MoH&FW have jointly established Integrated Ayush Departments in Central Government Hospitals to promote integrative healthcare. As part of this initiative, the Department  of  Integrative  Medicine  has  been  set  up  and  is  operational  at  Vardhman  Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi.

iii. An Advisory committee was constituted under the chairpersonship of Dr. V.K. Paul, Hon'ble Member (Health), NITI Aayog to study the existing knowledge and efficacy of different models of Integrative Medicine and its benefits at large and to propose a framework of comprehensive Integrative Health Policy.

iv. 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), thus 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 MoH&FW under National Health Mission (NHM), while the support for AYUSH  infrastructure, equipment/furniture  and  medicines  are  provided  by  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  under  National AYUSH Mission (NAM) as shared responsibilities.

v.  National  Commission  for  Indian  System  of  Medicine  (NCISM)  has  developed  the  Ayush Module - Internship Electives for MBBS for Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha system of medicine. 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. Homoeopathic Education  Board  under  National  Commission  for  Homeopathy  (NCH)  has  taken  various  new initiatives  like  early  clinical  exposure,  introduction  of  electives,  faculty  development  program, foundation  program,  finishing  program  at  end  of  internship,  inclusion  of  new  subjects  like pharmacology and psychology to sensitize the students about different systems of medicine.

vi. Details of initiatives taken by the Research councils and National Institutes under the Ministry of Ayush for integration of Ayush with modern medical system are given as Annexure .

viii. To promote Ayush systems of medicine, the Ministry of Ayush is implementing Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  National  Ayush  Mission  (NAM)  and  Central  Sector  Schemes  providing financial assistance for promotion and popularization of Ayush systems of medicine at National and International level namely, Ayush Oushadhi Gunavatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY), Promotion of International Cooperation (IC), Promotion of Information, Education and Communication (IEC), Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants (CDSMMP), Ayurswasthaya Yojana and Ayurgyan. Further, National Institutes and Research Councils under Ministry of Ayush are engaged in coordinating, formulating, developing, promoting and popularizing Ayush system of healthcare. Two Statutory Bodies  under  Ministry  of  Ayush  i.e.  National  Commission  for  Indian  System  of  Medicine (NCISM)  and  National  Commission  for  Homoeopathy  (NCH)  are  working  as  a  regulatory commission for promotion of Ayush education. Ministry of Ayush is also digitally promoting the Ayush System of Medicine on its various Social Media Platforms.

(b)  To  ensure  quality  and  efficacy  of  Ayurveda,  Siddha,  Unani  and  Sowa  Rigpa  doctors,  the National  Commission  for  Indian  System  of  Medicine  (NCISM)  notified  NCISM  (Ethics  and Registration) Regulations 2023. In the said Regulation, under chapter III, rights and privileges of practitioners have been prescribed. Further, under Chapter IV, standards of professional conduct, etiquettes and code of ethics have been prescribed. The National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) ensures quality and efficacy of Homoeopathy doctors through standardized Homoeopathic  practices  across  the  country  through  the  implementation  of  the  provisions  of National Commission for Homoeopathy (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics for Practitioners of Homoeopathy) Regulation 2022, through the State Homoeopathic Councils/Boards.  National  Institutes  under  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  strictly  adheres  to  the guidelines  set  by  NCISM  and  NCH  to  maintain  high  standards  of  education  and  training  of Ayush doctors and students.

The Ministry of Ayush has launched the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for Ayushman Arogya  Mandirs  (AAMs)  (Ayush)  and  Ayush  Hospitals.  It  is  a  set  of  uniform  standards  for infrastructure,  human  resources,  equipment,  medicines,  and  services.  These  standards  enable States and UT's to deliver consistent and high quality Ayush healthcare services.

The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 have exclusive regulatory provisions for  Ayurvedic,  Siddha,  Sowa-Rigpa,  Unani,  and  Homoeopathy  drugs.  Provisions  relating  to Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Unani Drugs are contained in Chapter IVA and Schedule- 1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and in Rules 151 to 169, Schedules E (I), T & TA of the Drugs  Rules,  1945.  Further,  Second  Schedule  (4A)  of  the  Drugs  and  Cosmetics  Act,  1940 provides standards for Homoeopathic drugs and Rules 2dd, 30AA, 67 (C-H), 85 (A to I), 106-A, Schedule  K,  Schedule  M-I  of  the  Drugs  and  Cosmetics  Rules,  1945  pertain  to  Homoeopathic drugs.  It  is  mandatory  for  the  manufacturers  to  adhere  to  the  prescribed  requirements  for licensing  of  manufacturing  units  &  medicines  including  proof  of  safety  &  effectiveness, compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as per Schedule T & Schedule M-I of

Drugs Rules, 1945 and quality standards of drugs given in the respective pharmacopoeia.

Pharmacopoeia  Commission  for  Indian  Medicine  &  Homoeopathy  (PCIM&H),  a  subordinate office under the Ministry of Ayush lays down the formulary specifications and pharmacopoeial standards  for  Ayurveda,  Siddha,  Unani  and  Homoeopathy  (ASU&H)  drugs  which  serves  as official  compendia  for  ascertaining  the  quality  (identity,  purity  and  strength)  of  the  ASU&H drugs.  As  per  the  Drugs  &  Cosmetics  Act,  1940  and  rules  thereunder,  the  compliance  to  this quality  standards  are  mandatory  for  the  production  of  ASU&H  drugs  being  manufactured  in India.

Ministry of Ayush has implemented a Central Sector Scheme AOGUSY, approved by Standing Finance  Committee  (SFC)  on  16.03.2021.  The  total  Budget  allocation  to  this  scheme  is  Rs. 122.00 crores for five years. The components of AOGUSY scheme are as follows:

i.  Strengthening  and  up-gradation  of  Ayush  Pharmacies  and  Drug  Testing  Laboratories  to achieve higher standards.

- ii. Pharmacovigilance of ASU&H drugs including surveillance of misleading advertisements.
- iii.  Strengthening  of  Central  and  State  regulatory  frameworks  including  Technical  Human Resource & Capacity Building programs for Ayush drugs.

iv.  Support  for  development  of  standards  and  accreditation/certification  of  Ayush  products  & materials in collaboration with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Quality Control of India (QCI) and other relevant scientific institutions and industrial R&D centers.

(c)  &  (d)  Since  Public  Health  being  a  State  subject,  setting  up  of  the  Ayush  hospitals  in  the country comes under the purview of respective State/UT Governments. However, the Ministry of Ayush  has  established  a  vast  network  of  Ayush  academic  and  research  institution  through National Institutes and Research  Councils across the Country. Further, under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM), there is provision of financial assistance for  establishment  of  Integrated  Ayush  Hospitals.  State/UT  Governments  may  avail  eligible financial  assistance  by  submitting  the  suitable  proposals  through  State  Annual  Action  Plans (SAAPs) as per the provisions of NAM Guidelines.

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## Details of initiatives taken by the Ministry of Ayush through its Research councils and National Institutes

|   S. No | Research councils/ National                                | Details of initiatives Institute                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
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|       1 | Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) | The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has undertaken research studies 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 the Indian System of Medicine. (Ayurveda) in the National Reproductive and Child Health services at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level in Himachal Pradesh and Integration of AYUSH systems in the 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 the 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, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and CCRAS has taken and initiative to set up Ayush-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR), at AIIMS to conduct research on identified areas focusing on integrative healthcare under Extra Mural |
|       2 | Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)     | research Scheme of ICMR. Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) has established four re- location centers at Dr. RML Hospital, Dr. DDU Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi and J.J. Hospital at Mumbai. Collaborative projects with modern academic/ research Institutions have also been under taken by the Council to integrate and promote                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |

|    |                                                    | Unani Medicine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|----|----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  3 | Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) | The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) is working towards integration of Homoeopathy with mainstream healthcare by undertaking research in collaboration and cooperation in the field of integrative medicine. The Council has co- location of homoeopathy treatment centre in allopathic hospital for providing treatment on various clinical conditions at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Lady Hardinge Medical College & Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi Cantonment General Hospital, New Delhi, Clinical trial Unit, at BRD Medical College and Hospital, Gorakhpur, UP, Civil Hospital, Aizwal, Mizoram and District hospital, Dimapur, Nagaland. The Council has also taken initiative to link Homoeopathy along with mainstream healthcare set-up by undertaking various Public Health programmes such as the Integration of NPCDCS programme for Homoeopathy, Swasthya Rakshan program (SRP), the programme Homoeopathy for Healthy teething', a component of "Homoeopathy for healthy child and Schedule Caste Component |
|  4 | Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS)      | plan (SC Component plan). The Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) has taken initiatives for integrating Siddha practices with the modern healthcare system by encouraging scientific research and clinical trials to validate the efficacy and safety of Ayush treatments along with modern treatments. Integrated Siddha cancer OPD has been functioning at All India Institute of Ayurveda campus and Siddha cancer OPD at Safdarjung hospital aiding the Palliative care of cancer patients through Siddha system through Siddha Clinical Research Unit, Safdarjung, New Delhi under CCRS. CCRS has signed MoU with AIIMS Rishikesh for initiating collaborative research activities for Cancer Management, Reproductive & Childcare and Regenerative Medicine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |

|   5. | Central Council for Research in Yoga &Naturopathy (CCRYN)   | The Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) is a part of the ICMR Task Force on Multi-centric Study project on                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
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|    6 | All India Institute of Ayurveda (AllA)                      | Heart Failure across the country. In All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, integrative medical services are available under Centre for Integrative Ayush Therapy (Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy), Centre for Integrative Cancer Therapy, Centre for Integrative Dentistry, Centre for Integrative Critical Care & Emergency Medicine, Centre for Integrative Orthopedics, Centre for Integrative Dietetics and Nutrition and Causality OPD Section. Integrated services are also provided through Satellite Clinical Services 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. Further, a Centre for Integrative Oncology (CIO) has been established at AllA, New Delhi as a joint venture of AIIA and Indian Council of Medical Research National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR-ICMR). Ayush Journal of Integrative Oncology (AJIO) is being published from Centre for Integrative Oncology (CIO) at AIIA. This Institute also has an International Collaborative Centre for global promotion and research in Ayurveda. |
|    7 | The Institute of Teaching& Research in Ayurveda (ITRA)      | The Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) conducts integrative                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|    8 | National Institute of Siddha (NIS)                          | research with the modern medical system. To promote integrated research in the Siddha system of medicine and provide Siddha treatment to the patients visiting Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), National Institute of Siddha (NIS) inaugurated an upgraded Siddha specialty OPD at Kelambakkam jointly with Chettinad Academy of Research Education (CARE). NIS has been conducting a Specialty Integrative Traditional Siddha Medicine OPD (SISMO) at                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |

| Centre for Integrative Medicine Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka. Further, NIS started a Siddha Integrated Cancer Care Centre(S-IC Care Centre) to provide integrated treatment to cancer patients.   |
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