Lok Sabha Question No. 2484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: Research Collaboration for AYUSH Products
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2484 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th  February, 2026

## 'Research Collaboration for AYUSH Products'

2484. Shri Arun Govil:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state :

(a) whether there has been unprecedented development in the AYUSH medical system despite the lack of standardization in AYUSH systems as per international requirements and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the  details  of  increased  research  collaboration,  impact  on  standard  setting  and  impact  on export  of  AYUSH  products  through  the  international  collaborations  and  agreements  entered into by the Government during the last three years; and

(c) the  status  of  measurable  standardization  in  drug  manufacturing  among  large  Ayurvedic companies in the country?

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

(a) &  (b)  The  Ayush  healthcare  systems  has  been  subjected  to  unprecedented  developments leading to their acceptance by large number of population for sustainable, inclusive and holistic healthcare solutions.  The growth of the Ayush sector has also driven by structured developments of standards in alignment with global perspectives.

Ministry  of  Ayush  strengthened  global  engagement  in  traditional  medicine  through international cooperation, fostering joint research initiatives, knowledge exchange, and alignment  with  international  standards.  These  efforts  enhanced  global  confidence  in  Ayush systems and improved international market access and visibility of Ayush products.

The inclusion of Traditional Medicine (TM) Module-2 enables evidence-based integration  of  traditional  medicine  into  public  health  systems,  supports  research  and  policy development,  and  enhances  insurance  coverage  and  global  recognition  of  Ayush  systems.  By aligning  traditional  knowledge  with  international  standards,  International  Classification  of

Diseases  (ICD)-11  TM  Module2 strengthens India's leadership in advancing  traditional medicine globally.

Ministry  of  Ayush  has  signed  27  Country  to  Country  Memorandum  of  Understanding (MoUs)  for  Co-operation  in  field  of  Traditional  Medicine  and  Homoeopathy  with  foreign nations,  16  MoUs  with  International  Institutes  for  setting  up  of  AYUSH  Academic  Chairs  in foreign  nations,  54  Institute  to  Institute  level  MoUs  with  foreign  institutes  for  undertaking Collaborative  Research/Academic  collaboration  and  supported  the  establishment  of  44  Ayush Information Cells in 40 foreign nations for propagation and promotion of Ayush at global stage.

Ministry  of  Ayush  offers  scholarships  to  104  foreign  nationals  for  studying  Ayush courses in recognized Ayush institutions in India under International Ayush Fellowship/Scholarship Program.

Ministry of Ayush encourages following certifications of Ayush products as per details below: -

- The scheme for Certification of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP) as per World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines is extended to Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani (ASU) medicines. This scheme is administered by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the certificate is granted on the basis of joint inspection of  the  applicant  manufacturing  unit  by  the  representatives  of  CDSCO,  Ministry  of Ayush and the concerned State Licensing Authority.
- Quality Certifications Scheme implemented by the Quality Council of India (QCI) for grant of Ayush mark to Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani products on the basis of thirdparty evaluation of quality in accordance with the status of compliance to domestic and international standards.
- Ayush Quality Mark for Ayush products and services for Global standards has been launched during WHO Global Summit in December, 2025.

The India -New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in December 2025 includes an annex promoting trade in Ayush and other traditional medicine services, strengthening global recognition,  supporting  medical  value  travel,  wellness  collaboration,  and  reinforcing  India's position as a global health hub.

Further,  the  India -Oman  Comprehensive  Economic  Partnership  Agreement  (CEPA) includes Oman's first comprehensive commitment on Traditional Medicine across all modes of supply,  creating  significant  opportunities  for  Ayush  and  wellness  sectors  in  the  Gulf  region. These initiatives have led to increased collaborative research and academic exchanges, progress in international standard-setting for  Ayush  systems,  greater  recognition in global health frameworks,  and  improved  export  opportunities  through  enhanced  regulatory  acceptance  and market access.

(c)  As  far  as  measurable  standardization  in  drug  manufacturing  is  concerned,  the  Drugs  & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 have exclusive regulatory provisions for Ayurvedic,

Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, Unani, and Homoeopathy drugs. Provisions related to Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Unani Drugs are contained in Chapter IVA and Schedule-I of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 151 to 169, Schedules E (I), T & TA of the Drugs Rules, 1945. It  is  mandatory  for  the  manufacturers  to  adhere  to  the  prescribed  requirements  of  Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) including proof of safety & effectiveness as per Schedule T & Schedule  M-I  of  Drugs  Rules,  1945  and  quality  standards  of  drugs  given  in  the  respective pharmacopoeia.

Further,  Ministry  of  Ayush,  Government  of  India  has  established  Pharmacopoeia Commission  for  Indian  Medicine  &  Homoeopathy  (PCIM&H)  as  its  subordinate  office. PCIM&H 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  these  quality  standards  are mandatory for the production of ASU&H drugs being manufactured in India.

PCIM&H also acts as the appellate Drugs testing Laboratory for testing or analysis of ASU&H Drugs. In addition, it conducts capacity-building trainings at regular intervals for the standardization, quality control, and testing or analysis of ASU&H drugs for Drug Regulatory Authorities,  Drug  Analysts,  and  other  relevant  stakeholders,  with  a  focus  on  laboratory techniques and methodologies essential for ensuring the quality of ASU&H drugs.

In addition, Rule 160 A to J of the Drugs Rules, 1945 provides the regulatory guidelines for  approval  of  Drug  Testing  Laboratory  for  carrying  out  tests  of  identity,  purity,  quality  and strength  of  Ayurveda,  Siddha,  Sowa  Rigpa  and  Unani  drugs  as  may  be  required  under  the provisions of these rules. As on date, 34 State/UTs Drug Testing Laboratories and 108 private laboratories  are  approved  or  licensed  under  the  provisions  of  Drugs  Rules,  1945  for  quality testing of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Unani drugs and raw materials.

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