MINISTRY OF AYUSH

ORGANIZATION FUNCTION AND ROLE

AYUSH:- Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani,

Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
AYUSH encompasses six distinct yet interconnected systems of
medicine, each with its unique principles, theories, and practices.
These systems have been passed down through generations, offering
holistic approaches to health and well-being.
Ayurveda is the time tested traditional system of medicine of India.
The term 'Ayurveda' meaning 'the knowledge of life' comprises of two
Sanskrit words viz 'Ayu' meaning 'Life' and 'Veda' meaning
'Knowledge' or 'Science'.
The word 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit word 'yuj' which means 'to
unite or integrate'. Yoga is about the union of a person's own
consciousness and the universal consciousness.
Naturopathy is a cost effective drugless, non-invasive therapy
involving the use of natural materials for health care and healthy
living.
Unani System of medicine is a comprehensive medical system, which
provides preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health
care.
The word 'Siddha' is derived from the root word "Citti" meaning
attainment of perfection, eternal bliss and accomplishment.
Sowa-Rigpa(Bodh-Kyi) means 'science of healing' and the
practitioners of this medicine are known as Amchi.
Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine that uses highly
diluted substances to stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
The
AYUSH system in India refers to a group of traditional and alternative
medicine. The administration and regulation of AYUSH are overseen
by the Ministry of AYUSH which was formed in 2014 to promote these
traditional system and ensure their proper integration in the national
healthcare system.
➢ EVOLUTION:
The ministry's roots trace back to the:

• Central Council for Research in Indian medicine and homeopathy

1969: as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare to promote research and development in different
Indian systems of medicine on scientific lines. However, with a
view to have focussed research in each area of Indian systems of
medicine and Homoeopathy.
• Department of Indian system of medicine and homeopathy 1995
DISMH: This department was under the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare. This department was responsible for overseeing
and promoting the development of these traditional systems of
medicine.
• It (DISMH) was renamed as department of AYUSH in November
2003.
• In 2011 SOWA RIGPA was added into AYUSH system.
• In 2014 The department of AYUSH was given full flagged status of
Ministry as Ministry of AYUSH.
➢ Mission
The Ministry has identified its Mission in terms of seven broad
thematic areas of Ayush activities. The thematic areas are as follows:
(i) Effective Human Resource Development
(ii) Provision of Quality Ayush Services
(iii) Information, Education and Communication
(iv) Quality Research in Ayush Sector
(v) Growth of the Medicinal Plants Sector
(vi) Drug Administration
(vii)International Exchange Programme/ Seminars/Workshops in
Ayush sector

➢ Organizational Set-up of the Ministry

Ministry of AYUSH has 5 research council, 2 statutory bodies, 12
National institution, 1 Public sector undertaking, 1 subordinate office
under its administrative control.
The Ministry of Ayush is headed by Union Minister and the
administration is under the charge of a secretary.
Additionally there is a special secretary and 2 joint secretary level
officers.
Moreover, there are Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) Officers for
handling technical responsibilities like Advisers for Ayurveda,
Homoeopathy and Unani systems. Officers include one (1) Deputy
Director General, twelve (12) Director/Deputy Secretary or equivalent
grade Officers and twenty-three (23) Under Secretary or equivalent
grade Officers who manage essential responsibilities of Ministry of
Ayush.
Research council:
1. Central council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)
It was established in 1969.It is an apex body in India under the
Ministry of Ayush for the formulation, coordination, development,
and promotion of research on scientific lines in Ayurveda and
 Sowa-Rigpa systems of medicine. The activities are carried out
through the efficient network of 30 institutes across the country
and also through collaborative studies with various academic and
research institutes, universities, and hospitals in India and abroad.
2. Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN)
It was established in 1978 for development, and promotion of
research in Yoga and Naturopathy and Promoting and propagating
these practices. It includes Providing education and training
3. Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)
It was established in the year 1979 with the objectives of initiating,
aiding, developing and coordinating research on Unani medicine.
The research programmes of CCRUM are clinical research, drug
standardisation, survey and cultivation of medicinal plants and
literary research. CCRUM has a network of 22 research centres
spread across various parts of India.
4. Central council for research in Siddha (CCRS)
It was established in 1970 It is India’s apex body for initiating,
conducting, formulating, developing, coordinating, and promoting
scientific research in Siddha.
5. Central council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH)
It was established in 1978. It undertakes, coordinates, develops,
disseminates and promotes scientific research in Homoeopathy
through its network of 24 research centres and 06 Homoeopathic
treatment centres and is carrying out intramural research including
collaboration with institutes of excellence and promoting
Homoeopathy.

Statutory Bodies/ regulatory Commissions:

1. National commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM)
National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has
come into existence on the 11th day of June 2021.It is a statutory
body constituted under NCISM Act, 2020. improve access to quality
 and affordable Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa (AUS&SR)
medical education. Promote equitable and universal
healthcare. assess and rate medical institutions Enforce high
ethical standards in all aspects of AUS&SR medical services; Have
an effective grievance redressal mechanism.
2. National commission for Homeopathy (NCH)
The National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) has been
constituted by an act of Parliament known as The National
Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020 which came into force on
05.07.2021. Improve access to quality and affordable medical
education in homoeopathy. Ensure the availability of high-quality
homoeopathic medical professionals across India. Promote
equitable and universal healthcare. Encourage the adoption of the
latest medical research in homoeopathy. Maintain a national
register for homoeopathic practitioners. Enforce high ethical
standards.

There are 12 National institutes are central level organizations which

provide or imparting UG and PG level education in AYUSH medicine.
➢ PSU
Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL) is a
Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the administrative
control of the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. The prime
object to manufacture and market the Genuine and Efficacious Indian
System of Medicines to CGHS, Central Government Research Units
(C.C.R.A.S., C.C.R.U.M. etc.), Central/ State Government Institution.
➢ SUBORDINATE OFFICE
The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine &
Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) is an autonomous body under the Ministry
of AYUSH, Government of India. It was initially established as the
Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine (PCIM) in 2010 and
later expanded to include homoeopathy in 20141.The main objectives
of PCIM&H include:Developing and publishing pharmacopoeias for
Indian medicines and homoeopathy. Setting standards for the quality
and safety of these medicines. Conducting research to support the
development of these standards. Providing training and workshops to
enhance the skills of professionals.

➢ FUNCTIONS:

Effective Human Resource Development:

a. To ensure availability of quality education and training to AYUSH
Doctors/Scientists/Teachers.
b. To ensure availability of quality paramedical, pharmacy and nursing
education and training in AYUSH.
c. To provide opportunity for quality AYUSH education throughout
the country.
d. To empower AYUSH professionals with improved skills and
attitudes.
e. To promote capacity building of Institutions, Centers of Excellence
(COE), National Institutes etc.

Provision of Quality AYUSH Services:

a. Delivery of Quality AYUSH health care services to entire
population.
b. AYUSH to be an integral part of the health delivery system
through mainstreaming of AYUSH
c. To ensure healthy population through AYUSH interventions
d. To ensure creation of enabling uniform legal framework for
AYUSH practices and therapies.
e. Utilization of trained AYUSH doctors at all levels of Health Care
services.
Information, Education and Communication:
a. To propagate and promote AYUSH within the country.
b. To strive for global acceptance of AYUSH formulations
c. To disseminate AYUSH practices and therapies for better health.
d. To encourage behavioral change through communication for
better health.

Quality Research in AYUSH:

a. To promote quality research in AYUSH with the objective of
validating the systems scientifically, and evaluation of AYUSH
remedies from the angle of safety and efficacy.
b. To encourage research for validation of fundamental principles
of AYUSH Systems.
c. To encourage development of new drugs for high priority
diseases of national importance.
d. To preserve through documentation of local health traditions
and folklore for their utilization for new drug development.
e. To promote inter-disciplinary research.
f. To protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in AYUSH systems.
g. To encourage research in preventive and promotive health
through AYUSH.

Growth of the Medicinal Plants Sector:

a. To ensure sustained availability of quality raw material from
medicinal plants.
b. To ensure conservation of medicinal plants.
c. Capacity building in medicinal plants sector.
d. Coordinating all matters relating to medical plants through the
NMPB National medicinal plants board.

Drug Administration:
 a. accelerate the Pharmacopoeia/ standardization work on AYUSH
drugs.
b. To ensure availability of high quality AYUSH drugs.
c. To ensure enabling legal framework for production and
distribution of safe and quality AYUSH drugs.
d. To strengthen regulatory infrastructure in Central and State
Governments.
e. To encourage AYUSH drug industry to produce high quality
AYUSH medicines for national and international needs.

International Exchange Programme/Seminars/Workshops on

AYUSH:
a. To propagate and promote AYUSH systems outside the country
and to ensure their global acceptance as systems of medicine.
b. To collaborate with international bodies e.g. World Health
Organization for cross disciplinary standardization, global
recognition and propagation of AYUSH systems.
c. Global legal recognition of qualifications and practice of AYUSH.
d. To promote collaborative research and education in AYUSH with
other countries.
e. Protection of Traditional Knowledge.

➢ SCHEMES UNDER AYUSH:

1. Central Sector Schemes

a) AYURGYAN Scheme for promoting education and research in

the field of Ayush and to support Research & Innovation in
Ayush by extra mural research and education in Ayush by
providing academic activities., training, Capacity Building etc.
b) AYURSWASTHYA Yojana, financial assistance is provided to
eligible individual organizations/institutes for establishing and
upgrading their functions & facilities and/or for research &
development activities in Ayush.
 c) The Champion Services Sector Scheme have been framed by
Govt. of India to enhance Medical tourism in the country.The
initiative will not only promote and propage Ayurveda, Yoga
and other traditional systems of medicines but also expect to
increase foot fall of International patients/tourists/visitors in
the country.
d) Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Co-
operation (IC) in Ayush. To promote and strengthen awareness
and interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine and to facilitate
International promotion, development and recognition of
Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and
Homoeopathy.
e) Central Sector Scheme on Conservation, Development and
Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants: This scheme
aims to conserve and promote the cultivation of medicinal
plants used in Ayush systems.

2. Centrally Sponsored Schemes

a) National Ayush Mission :Ministry of Ayush is implementing the

Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission ( NAM )
through States/UTs for providing better access to Ayush
services by increasing in number of Ayush Hospital and
Dispensaries, upgradation of Ayush hospitals/dispensaries,
operationalization of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres by
upgrading existing Ayush dispensaries and Sub Health Centres
to provide comprehensive primary healthcare at grassroots
level with focus on Ayush systems of medicine, mainstreaming
of Ayush through co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary
Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) &
District Hospital(DHs), ensure availability of Ayush drugs and
trained manpower and Ayush Public Health programmes. NAM
also aims at the improvement in quality of Ayush education
through upgrading existing Ayush Educational Institutions and
establishment of new Ayush Colleges in the States where
 availability of Ayush teaching institutions is inadequate in
Government Sector.

The Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha,

and Homeopathy) in India has played a significant role in promoting
and integrating traditional systems of medicine into the country's
healthcare landscape. The Ministry has been instrumental in raising
awareness about traditional systems of medicine, both domestically
and internationally. This has led to a growing acceptance and interest
in these practices.
One of the major challenges faced by the Ministry has been the lack
of standardization in the practice of traditional medicine. This has led
to inconsistencies in quality and efficacy, making it difficult to
integrate these systems into mainstream healthcare. While research
has been conducted, the evidence base for many traditional practices
remains limited. This has hindered their wider acceptance and
integration into the healthcare system.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Ayush has made significant strides in
promoting traditional systems of medicine in India. However, it is
important to acknowledge the challenges and limitations that it faces.
To fully realize the potential of these systems, continued efforts are
needed to address the issues of standardization, evidence-based
research, regulation, and resource allocation. By addressing these
challenges, the Ministry can ensure that traditional medicine plays a
valuable role in India's healthcare system and contributes to the well-
being of its citizens.