Ministry of AYUSH

Ministry of AYUSH
Agency name	Ministry of AYUSH
Formed	2014
Preceding1	Department of AYUSH
Jurisdiction	India
Headquarters	New Delhi

Ministry of AYUSH The Ministry of AYUSH is an Indian central ministry responsible for policy formulation, regulation, education, research and propagation of traditional and alternative medical systems including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. Established as a separate ministry in 2014 after being a department within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India), it interfaces with institutions, regulatory bodies, state governments and international organizations to promote these systems domestically and abroad. The ministry coordinates with universities, research councils, certification bodies and ministries such as Ministry of Science and Technology (India), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India), Ministry of Education (India) and Ministry of External Affairs (India) on policy, trade and diplomacy.

History

The organizational lineage traces to the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy formed in 1995, later renamed the Department of AYUSH in 2003 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee ministry. The upgrade to a full ministry in 2014 occurred during the Narendra Modi ministry (2014–present), reflecting political emphasis on indigenous systems linked to initiatives such as Make in India and International Yoga Day. Historical antecedents include classical texts and traditions associated with figures and works like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Bhela Samhita, Rājaśrī and the heritage of medical schools in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat. The ministry’s creation followed policy debates involving stakeholders from institutions such as Banaras Hindu University, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, and regulatory discussions framed by laws like the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 reforms and the evolution of state-level boards in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Organisation and Structure

The ministry is headquartered in New Delhi and is led by a Union Minister of State with independent charge, supported by bureaucratic leadership drawn from the Indian Administrative Service. It oversees statutory bodies and autonomous councils including the Central Council of Indian Medicine, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, National Institute of Ayurveda, National Institute of Unani Medicine, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine and the National Commission for Homoeopathy. The ministry’s regional and state-level implementation involves coordination with state departments in Maharashtra, Bihar, Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. It interacts with international agencies such as the World Health Organization and bilateral partners like Ministry of External Affairs (India) diplomatic missions to establish memoranda with countries including Russia, Brazil, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States.

Responsibilities and Functions

The ministry formulates policy for systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, issues guidelines for clinical practice, and promotes integration with public health programs run by agencies like the National Health Mission and institutions such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. It funds research units at bodies including the Indian Council of Medical Research, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Banaras Hindu University, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research for collaborative projects, and supports export promotion through Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts-style mechanisms and trade delegations to markets like China, Japan, Germany, United Arab Emirates and Mauritius. The ministry also engages with professional associations such as the Ayurvedic Medical Association of India, Homeopathic Medical Association of India and patient advocacy groups in regulatory consultations for standards enforcement under frameworks inspired by international instruments like the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy.

Education, Research and Accreditation

The ministry regulates curricula, accreditation and examinations for colleges under frameworks implemented by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine and the National Commission for Homoeopathy, interacting with universities such as University of Delhi, University of Mumbai, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. It supports research through entities including the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, Central Council for Research in Siddha and research collaborations with institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Christian Medical College Vellore and Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research. Accreditation intersects with professional bodies and examination systems involving agencies such as the National Testing Agency and legal oversight from courts like the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts of India in disputes about recognition, curriculum and licensing.

Regulation and Standards

The ministry issues pharmacopoeial standards and coordinates with the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy, interacts with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization on manufacturing norms, and oversees compliance with sections of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 relevant to traditional medicines. It works with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on nutraceuticals, engages standard-setting bodies such as the Bureau of Indian Standards for production protocols, and consults international regulators like the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration on export and safety harmonization. Quality control laboratories in networks across states including Kerala, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh conduct assays and stability testing following references like the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India.

Programs and Initiatives

The ministry administers initiatives such as the National AYUSH Mission, state implementations, and flagship promotion campaigns tied to events like International Yoga Day and collaborations with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India) programs. It funds telemedicine pilots with partners including National Health Mission units, pilot integration projects at tertiary hospitals like All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, and public awareness drives with bodies such as the Press Information Bureau and cultural promotions via Ministry of Culture (India). International engagement includes establishing AYUSH desks in diplomatic missions and memoranda with academic institutions such as University of Colombo, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, University of Malaya, University of São Paulo and Charles University.

Criticism and Controversies

Critiques have arisen from academic institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and research groups in debates over evidence standards, placebo-controlled trials, and integration with conventional systems represented by bodies such as the Indian Council of Medical Research and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Controversies include disputes over claims in public communications involving personalities, regulatory conflicts adjudicated in forums like the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts of India, concerns raised by professional associations such as the Indian Medical Association and consumer safety issues investigated by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. Debates also involve international scientific publishers, peer-review controversies in journals like The Lancet, funding allocations reviewed by parliamentary committees such as the Public Accounts Committee and policy tensions with ministries including Ministry of Science and Technology (India) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India).

Category:Indian government ministries