Lok Sabha Question No. 2480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: Promotion of AYUSH Entrepreneurship
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Ajay Bhatt

†2480. Shri Ajay Bhatt:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a) whether any plans have been proposed to promote the AYUSH sector for the development of AYUSH entrepreneurship in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise, particularly in Uttarakhand;

(c)  whether  any  proposal  has  been  prepared  to  engage  the  youth  and  scientists  in  nation building opportunities in various fields like research, innovation, management, medicine and higher education; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2480 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026

## Promotion of AYUSH Entrepreneurship

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b)  The  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE),  through  its autonomous  organisation,  the  National  Institute  for  Entrepreneurship  and  Small  Business Development  (NIESBUD),  has  undertaken  various  initiatives  to  promote  entrepreneurship development in the Ayush sector across different States of the country. NIESBUD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ayush on 17.10.2024 to foster entrepreneurship and innovation  in  the  field  of  Ayurveda.  Also  NIESBUD,  in  collaboration  with  IIM  Lucknow Enterprise  Incubation  Centre  (IIML-EIC)  has  conducted  the  3-day  pre-incubation  training programme aimed at promoting innovation  and  entrepreneurship  in  the  Ayush  sector.  The Institute has organised three pre-incubation training programmes and imparted training to a total  of  93  participants  under  the  initiative,  including  three  participants  from  Uttarakhand. The state wise details are enclosed as Annexure I.

All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi has set up an incubation centre i.e. All India Institute of Ayurveda-Incubation Centre for Ayurveda Innovation and Entrepreneurship (AIIA-iCAINE) to nucleate a cluster of new age ventures and to promote entrepreneurship leveraging the academic knowledge.

The Ayurveda Startup Grand Challenge is designed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship  in  the  Ayush  sector.  The  key  stakeholders  involved  are  the  Ministry  of Ayush, AIIA and Start Up India. Grants and financial assistance are provided to startups that present innovative solutions and products in the Ayush sector. Startups get opportunities to connect  with  potential  investors,  industry  leaders,  and  other  entrepreneurs  through  various events  and  workshops.  Winners  and  promising  startups  receive  recognition  which  can enhance their credibility and market visibility. Fiscal incentives in the form of cash prizes are provided to the first three toppers.

(c) and (d) Yes, several initiatives have been taken to engage youth and scientists in nationbuilding opportunities in the fields of research, innovation, management, medicine and higher education  through  National  Institutes  and  Research  Councils  under  the  Ministry  of  Ayush (MoA).  Central  Council  for  Research  in  Ayurvedic  Sciences  (CCRAS)  a  research  council under  MoA  has  undertaken  several  initiatives  to  promote  Ayurveda  among  the  youth  and encourage research and innovation. The Council disseminates Ayurvedic knowledge through electronic and print media in English, Hindi, and regional languages. It actively participates in National/State-level Arogya Melas, health camps, exhibitions and outreach programs such as  the  Scheduled  Caste  Sub-Plan  (SCSP)  Research  Program  and  the  Tribal  Health  Care Research  Program  (THCRP).  Additionally,  CCRAS  website  serves  as  a  repository  of  IEC materials and is hyperlinked to other relevant platforms for wider accessibility.

To nurture research and to motivate Ayurveda students to pursue research as a career, inculcate research aptitude, and establish a foundation for high-quality research in Ayurveda, CCRAS is implementing the following programs:

i.  Studentship  Programme  for  Ayurveda  Research  Ken  (SPARK):  Financial  support  to Ayurveda undergraduates to promote interest and aptitude for research.

ii. Ayush Ph.D. Fellowship: Fellowship support for research scholars.

iii. Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF): Support for advanced Ayurveda research.

iv.  SMART Programme: Facilitating integrative  research  between  Ayurveda  academia  and tertiary care hospitals.

v. CCRAS-AGNI (2023-24): Promoting evidence-based validation of Ayurveda practices in five categories, including treatment, formulations, and instruments.

Also the Ayush educational institutions offer undergraduate (UG) postgraduate (PG) and  doctoral  (Ph.D.)  programmes  to  strengthen  higher  education,  advanced  research,  and academic excellence in the field of Ayush systems of medicine. The National Commission for  Indian  System  of  Medicine  (NCISM)  Act,  2020  and  the  National  Commission  for Homoeopathy (NCH) Act, 2020 were enacted in September 2020 to ensure robust regulation and  standardisation  of  Ayush  education.  The  NCISM  regulates  education  and  practice  in Ayurveda,  Siddha,  Unani  and  Sowa-Rigpa  systems  of  medicine,  while  the  NCH  regulates Homoeopathy education and practice. Aligning Ayush education with the objectives of the National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020,  these  Commissions  are  promoting  transparency, efficiency  and  student-centric  education  at  an  unprecedented  scale,  thereby  strengthening quality assurance and academic excellence across the Ayush sector.

## Annexure I

| S.No.   | State          |   No. of Participants |
|---------|----------------|-----------------------|
| 1       | Uttar Pradesh  |                    10 |
| 2       | Delhi          |                     6 |
| 3       | Uttarakhand    |                     3 |
| 4       | Punjab         |                     5 |
| 5       | Madhya Pradesh |                     5 |
| 6       | Gujarat        |                     9 |
| 7       | Kerala         |                     8 |
| 8       | Maharashtra    |                    16 |
| 9       | Karnataka      |                    18 |
| 10      | Odisha         |                     1 |
| 11      | Goa            |                     5 |
| 12      | Meghalaya      |                     1 |
| 13      | Andhra Pradesh |                     1 |
| 14      | Tamil Nadu     |                     5 |
|         | Total          |                    93 |

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