MARCH 20, 2026

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 being supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under National Health Mission (NHM), while the support for Ayush infrastructure, equipment/ furniture and medicines is being provided by the Ministry of Ayush under National Ayush Mission (NAM), as shared responsibilities. Further, the Ministry of Ayush is adopting a rational approach along with multiple initiatives, for the promotion and institutional expansion of each Ayush system of medicine according to its respective strengths, with a view to facilitating their integration with modern medicine. Some of the major initiatives are as follows:

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

(b) The Ministry of Ayush is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of NAM through State/UT Governments for overall development and promotion of Ayush systems across the country through States/UTs. Under NAM, the Ministry of Ayush supports the efforts of State/UT Governments by providing financial assistance to them under different activities as per the provision of NAM guidelines against their submitted State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).  The Mission inter-alia makes provision for the following activities: –

(i) Operationalization of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) by upgrading existing Ayush dispensaries and Sub health Centres.

(ii) Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs).

(iii) Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.

(iv) Upgradation of existing Government/Panchayat/Government aided Ayush Dispensaries/ Construction of building for existing Ayush Dispensary (Rented/ dilapidated accommodation)/ Construction of building to establish new Ayush Dispensary in the area where there are no Ayush facilities available.

(v) Setting up of 10/30/50 bedded Integrated Ayush Hospitals.

(vi) Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals, Government Dispensaries and Government/Government aided Teaching Institutional Ayush Hospitals.

(vii) Ayush Public Health Programmes.

(viii) Establishment of new Ayush colleges in the States where availability of Ayush teaching institutions is inadequate in the Government Sector.

(ix) Infrastructural development of Ayush Under-Graduate Institutions and Ayush Post-Graduate Institutions/ add on PG/ Pharmacy /Para-Medical Courses

Further, under NAM, State/UT Governments are being supported  for implementation of  Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities for creating awareness in the community about the strength of Ayush system. These initiatives use mass media platforms to promote Ayush based preventive healthcare practices and encourage communities to adopt healthier lifestyles.

(c) & (d) Yes, Ministry of Ayush is implementing the central sector scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for Ayush (IC Scheme). Under this scheme the Ministry provides support to Indian Ayush drug Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to the export of Ayush products and services; facilitates the International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush systems of medicine; foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of Ayush at international level; promote academics and research through the establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries and holding training workshop/symposiums for promoting and strengthening awareness and interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine at international level. Under the CSS IC Scheme 27 Country to Country MoUs, 16 Ayush Chair MoUs and 54 Institute to Institute level MoUs have been signed.