Lok Sabha Question No. 4785 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Ayurveda Day for AYUSH Healthcare System
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4785

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  MARCH, 2025

'Ayurveda Day for AYUSH Healthcare System'

## 4785 Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  initiated  any  efforts  to  integrate  the  knowledge  of  Ayurveda with modern medicine for holistic healthcare delivery in the country and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of projects or programme launched during Ayurveda Day to strengthen AYUSH healthcare systems and promote health awareness among citizens; and

(c) the details of the initiatives taken by the Government to support research and innovation in integrating traditional AYUSH practices with modern scientific approaches?

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

(a)  &  (c)  The  Ministry  of  Ayush  is  taking  multiple  initiatives  towards  integration  of  Ayush systems of medicine including Ayurveda with modern medicine for holistic health care delivery and  also  to  support  research  and  innovation  in  integrating  traditional  AYUSH  practices  with modern scientific approaches:

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.

vi.  Homoeopathic  Education  Board  under  National  Commission  for  Homeopathy  (NCH)  has taken  following  steps  to  support  research  and  innovation  in  integrating  traditional  AYUSH practices with modern scientific approaches:

- a. Gazette  Notification  of  National  Commission  for  Homoeopathy  (Medical  Research  in Homoeopathy) Regulations, 2023.
- b. Introduction of research department in association with community medicine department in Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) course.
- c. Introduction  of  Research  Methodology  &  Biostatistics  department  separately  in  MD (Hom) course.

- d. Conducted online training in Clinical Research Methods for Homoeopathy postgraduate Students and Faculties.
- e. The  Commission  has  notified  the  Homoeopathy  Graduate  Degree  Course-B.H.M.S regulation on 07.12.2022 wherein Pharmacology is introduced at undergraduate level to sensitize the medical students about the pharmacological action of the drugs.
- f. For each department in Homoeopathy Medical College, methodology for supplementing modern  advancement,  research  and  technology  in  homoeopathy  (SMART-Hom)  is included in regulation.
- g. A compulsory Elective subject for Ist year BHMS has been recorded and made live for students on 'Orientation on different health systems in India'.

vii. The Ministry of Ayush is implementing a Central Sector Scheme namely AYURGYAN with the aim to support education, Research & Innovation in Ayush by providing academic activities, training, capacity building, Research & Development activities in the field of Ayush since 202122.  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  the  Research  & Innovation  in  Ayush  and  ABIHR  components,  financial  assistance  is  provided  for  Ayush research projects focused on generating evidence-based validation of Ayush drugs and therapies, efficacy, safety, standardization, and quality control of Ayush products, integration of the Ayush system of medicine with existing conventional therapies, fundamental research in Ayush systems and high-end research to strengthen and advance Ayurveda Biology, covering fundamental, drug development, and clinical research.

viii.  The  Ministry  of  Ayush  has  been  implementing  the  Central  Sector  Scheme  namely Ayurswasthya Yojana since 2021-22 with two components viz. (i) Ayush & public health (PHI) component and (ii) Upgradation of facilities to the Centre of Excellence. Under the Centre of Excellence  component,  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  support  creative  and  innovative proposals  of  prestigious  organizations  with  well-established  buildings  and  infrastructure  and wish to work for Ayush systems to the level of Centre of Excellence. Total nine organizations of National repute such as 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  have  been  funded  under  the  Centre  of  Excellence component of Ayurswasthya Yojana under the activity-based/research-based Centre of Excellence for enhancing interdisciplinary research in Ayush involving modern scientists.

ix.  Details  of  initiatives  taken  by  the  Research  councils  and  National  Institutes  under  the Ministry  of  Ayush  for  integration  of  Ayush  systems  of  medicine  with  modern  scientific approaches are given as Annexure .

(b)    On  the  occasion  of  9 th Ayurveda  Day  on  29 th October  2024,  the  Prime  Minister  of  India launched/  inaugurated/  laid  the  foundation  stone  of  the  following  projects  of  the  Ministry  of Ayush:

i. The Prime Minister inaugurated Phase II of All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi. This phase, a significant project with  a total  cost of  ₹258.73 crore, includes  key  features such as  a 150-bed  Panchakarma  hospital,  an  Ayurvedic  pharmacy  for  drug  manufacturing,  a  sports medicine  unit,  a  central  library,  an  IT  and  start-ups  center,  a  500-seat  auditorium,  and  guest houses for both general and international visitors.

ii. Foundation stones of Central Research Institute in Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYN), Khorda (Odisha) and Central Research Institute in Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYN), Raipur (Chhattisgarh) were laid.

iii. Following four projects under the Centres of Excellence (CoEs) Ayurswasthya Yojana were launched:

a. Centre of Excellence for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, focused on prediabetes and diabetes research and Ayurvedic formulation validation.

b.  Centre  of  Excellence  in  Sustainable  Ayush  at  Indian  Institutes  of  Technology  (IIT)  Delhi, dedicated to developing advanced technological solutions, supporting start-ups, and creating netzero sustainable solutions for Rasaushadhis.

c.  Centre  of  Excellence  for  Fundamental  and  Translational  Research  in  Ayurveda  at  Central Drug  Research  Institute  (CDRI)  Lucknow,  focused  on  advanced  research  in  Ayurvedic botanicals like Ashwagandh.

d.  Centre  of  Excellence  on  Ayurveda  and  Systems  Medicine  at  Jawaharlal  Nehru  University (JNU), New Delhi, aimed at researching the molecular mechanisms of Ayurvedic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis using systems medicine.

iv. 'Desh ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan', a nationwide campaign was launched with the aim of generating awareness among people about the concept of 'Prakriti' described in Ayurveda and assessing their Prakriti for a positive approach towards their health. The assessment was done through  a  dedicated  mobile  application  with  the  assistance  of  dedicated  volunteers  including students, teachers, Ayurveda practitioners, and Ayurveda Medical Officers. The mobile app was based on the logic provided by the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), a unit of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as per Ayurvedic principles. Under this campaign, a total of 1, 39, 62, 239 Indian citizens aged 18 and above have undergone Prakriti assessment.

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

|   S. No | Research councils/ National Institute                      | Details of initiatives                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       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 an 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 research Scheme of ICMR.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|----|--------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  2 | Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) | Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) is undertaking collaborative projects with modern academic/ research Institutions. The Council has also established co-location centres at allopathic hospitals e.g. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, New Delhi; JJ Hospital, Mumbai etc. The Council has signed MoUs with different academic and scientific organizations for undertaking integrative research .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|  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, U), 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, SwasthyaRakshan program (SRP), the programme 'Homoeopathy for Healthy teething', a component of 'Homoeopathy for healthy child' and Schedule Caste Component plan (SC Component plan).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|----|------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS)              | 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) has started Center for Mind and Body Intervention through Yoga (CMBIY) in AIIMS and Post Graduate Institute to develop evidence for Yoga & Naturopathy for various medical conditions through research.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|  6 | All India Institute of Ayurveda                            | In All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, integrative medical services are available                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |

|    | (AIIA)                               | 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 AIIA, 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 | National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) | National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) has established six 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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

|    |                                                         | 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). This inter-disciplinary approach not only nurtures scholars who are adept in modern scientific research methodologies but also equips them with a deep understanding of the rich heritage of Ayurvedic practices.   |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  8 | The Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) | The Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) conducts integrative research with the modern medical system. The institute has well equipped modern science laboratories (Phamacology, Pharmaceuticals, Microbiology, Clinical Pathology, and Clinical Biochemistry) to integrate traditional Ayurveda principles to support research and innovation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|  9 | National Institute of Siddha (NIS)                      | 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 and 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- ICCare Centre) to provide integrated treatment to cancer patients.   |
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