Ministry of AYUSH: A Comprehensive Guide to India’s Traditional Healthcare System
The Ministry of AYUSH, a pivotal institution under the Government of India, is dedicated to promoting and developing traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy (collectively known as AYUSH). Established to revive and globalize India’s ancient healthcare practices, the Ministry plays a crucial role in integrating these systems into the modern healthcare framework. This article explores the formation date, vision, impact, recent updates, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and includes 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with detailed solutions to enhance understanding.
Formation of the Ministry of AYUSH
The Ministry of AYUSH was officially established on November 9, 2014, by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Its roots trace back to the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H), created in March 1995 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In November 2003, this department was renamed the Department of AYUSH, reflecting the acronym for its focus areas. The elevation to a full-fledged ministry in 2014 marked a significant step toward mainstreaming traditional medicine, driven by the National Health Policy (NHP) 2017, which emphasized medical pluralism and integrative healthcare.
Vision of the Ministry of AYUSH
The Ministry of AYUSH envisions reviving the profound knowledge of India’s ancient systems of medicine and positioning them as globally accepted, evidence-based healthcare solutions. Its core objectives include:
- Promotion of Traditional Medicine: Strengthening Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy through education, research, and public outreach.
- Integration with Modern Healthcare: Mainstreaming AYUSH systems into the national healthcare framework, particularly through the National Health Mission (NHM) and Ayushman Bharat.
- Global Outreach: Establishing AYUSH as a global leader in wellness and preventive healthcare, exemplified by initiatives like the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar and the International Day of Yoga (declared by the UNGA on June 21, 2014).
- Quality Assurance: Ensuring high standards for AYUSH drugs, education, and practice through regulatory bodies like the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH).
- Sustainable Development: Promoting the cultivation of medicinal plants and ensuring their sustainable supply for AYUSH drug production.
The Ministry aims to create a Healthy India by leveraging AYUSH’s preventive, promotive, and curative potential, aligning with the vision of New India as articulated by PM Modi.
Key Initiatives and Programs
The Ministry of AYUSH has launched several programs to achieve its objectives:
- National AYUSH Mission (NAM):
- Launched on September 15, 2014, NAM aims to promote cost-effective AYUSH services, strengthen educational institutions, ensure quality control of AYUSH drugs, and support medicinal plant cultivation.
- Funding pattern: 60:40 (Centre:State) for most states, 90:10 for Northeastern and hilly states.
- Includes AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) under Ayushman Bharat, focusing on preventive and curative care.
- AYURGYAN Scheme:
- Launched to enhance research, innovation, and capacity building in the AYUSH sector.
- Champion Sector Services Scheme (CSSS):
- Focuses on developing skilled human resources and promoting medical value travel for AYUSH services.
- Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL):
- Established in 2001 with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to prevent biopiracy by documenting traditional knowledge.
- National Institutes:
- Institutions like the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Delhi (2009), National Institute of Homoeopathy in Kolkata (1975), and Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda in Jamnagar (2020) promote research and education.
- Global Collaborations:
- Agreements with the World Health Organization (WHO) and countries like Malaysia to promote Ayurveda and Yoga globally.
Key Growth Indicators of Ministry of AYUSH
| Indicator | 2014 Data (Approx.) | 2023/2024 Data (Approx.) |
| Total AYUSH Hospitals | N/A | 3,844 |
| Government AYUSH Hospitals | N/A | 3,403 |
| Total AYUSH Dispensaries | N/A | 36,848 |
| Government AYUSH Dispensaries | N/A | 27,118 |
| Ayush Health & Wellness Centres (AHWCs) | 0 | 12,500 operational |
| AYUSH Market Size | USD 2.85 billion | USD 43.4 billion |
| AYUSH Exports | USD 1.09 billion | USD 2.16 billion |
| Public Awareness (Rural 15+ years) | N/A | 95% |
| Public Awareness (Urban 15+ years) | N/A | 96% |
| Utilization (Rural, past year) | N/A | 46% |
| Utilization (Urban, past year) | N/A | 53% |
| Country-to-Country MoUs (Traditional Med.) | N/A | 25 |
| MoUs for AYUSH Academic Chairs | N/A | 15 |
| Institute-to-Institute MoUs | N/A | 52 |
Impact of the Ministry of AYUSH
Since its formation, the Ministry of AYUSH has significantly transformed India’s healthcare landscape:
- Economic Growth:
- The AYUSH market grew from USD 2.85 billion in 2014 to USD 43.4 billion in 2023, with exports doubling from USD 1.09 billion to USD 2.16 billion.
- Infrastructure Expansion:
- Over 755,780 registered AYUSH practitioners, supported by 886 undergraduate and 251 postgraduate colleges.
- Establishment of three advanced National AYUSH Institutes for education and healthcare.
- Research and Innovation:
- The AYUSH Research Portal hosts over 43,000 studies, with innovations like AYUSH-64 and Kabasur Kudineer for COVID-19 management.
- The ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR) at AIIMS promotes integrative healthcare studies.
- Healthcare Integration:
- AYUSH services are co-located in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs), enhancing access.
- Over 12,500 AYUSH HWCs established under Ayushman Bharat for preventive and promotive care.
- Global Recognition:
- The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar promotes traditional medicine worldwide.
- The International Day of Yoga has boosted global awareness of Yoga’s health benefits.
- Medicinal Plant Conservation:
- Cultivation of medicinal plants through Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) ensures sustainable raw material supply, reducing costs and spurious drugs.
- Policy Reforms:
- The NCISM Act, 2020, established regulatory bodies to improve education and practice standards.
- The Strategic Policy and Facilitation Bureau (SPFB) attracts investment in the AYUSH sector.
Recent Updates (2024–2025)
- 10th Anniversary Celebration (2024): The Ministry marked a decade of achievements, highlighting its economic and global impact.
- AYUSH Visa: Introduced to promote medical tourism for AYUSH treatments like Panchakarma.
- Integration with Ayushman Bharat: Expansion of AYUSH HWCs to deliver holistic wellness models.
- Scientific Research Push: The AYURGYAN Scheme and collaborations with apex research councils like ICMR and CSIR to validate AYUSH therapies.
- Regulatory Enhancements: Strengthened quality control through comprehensive certification initiatives for AYUSH medicines.
- Parliamentary Review: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare released a report reviewing the National AYUSH Mission, emphasizing its role in healthcare delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does AYUSH stand for?
AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy, representing India’s traditional medicine systems.
2. When was the Ministry of AYUSH formed?
The Ministry was established on November 9, 2014, evolving from the Department of AYUSH (2003) and ISM&H (1995).
3. What is the National AYUSH Mission (NAM)?
Launched in 2014, NAM promotes cost-effective AYUSH services, strengthens education, ensures drug quality, and supports medicinal plant cultivation.
4. How does AYUSH integrate with modern healthcare?
AYUSH services are co-located in PHCs, CHCs, and DHs, and AYUSH HWCs under Ayushman Bharat provide preventive and curative care.
5. What is the role of the AYUSH Research Portal?
It hosts over 43,000 studies to promote evidence-based research on AYUSH systems.
6. How has the AYUSH market grown?
The market grew from USD 2.85 billion in 2014 to USD 43.4 billion in 2023, with exports doubling.
7. What is the funding pattern for NAM?
60:40 (Centre:State) for most states, 90:10 for Northeastern and hilly states.
8. What is the TKDL?
The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, established in 2001, prevents biopiracy by documenting traditional medicinal knowledge.
9. How does the Ministry promote Yoga globally?
Through the International Day of Yoga (June 21) and agreements with WHO and countries like Malaysia.
10. Are AYUSH treatments covered by insurance?
The Ministry encourages private insurance companies to cover treatments like Panchakarma.
Top 10 MCQs on the Ministry of AYUSH with Detailed Solutions
1. When was the Ministry of AYUSH officially established?
- A) March 1995
- B) November 2003
- C) November 2014
- D) September 2014
Answer: C) November 2014
Solution: The Ministry of AYUSH was formed on November 9, 2014, by the Modi government, elevating the Department of AYUSH into a full-fledged ministry.
2. What does the acronym AYUSH stand for?
- A) Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy
- B) Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Sowa Rigpa, Herbal Medicine
- C) Alternative Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy
- D) Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Siddha, Allopathy
Answer: A) Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy
Solution: AYUSH represents Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy, as defined by the Ministry.
3. What was the precursor to the Ministry of AYUSH?
- A) Department of Health Research
- B) Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy
- C) National Health Mission
- D) Central Council of Indian Medicine
Answer: B) Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy
Solution: The Department of ISM&H, established in 1995, was renamed the Department of AYUSH in 2003 before becoming a ministry in 2014.
4. What is the primary objective of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM)?
- A) Promote allopathic medicine
- B) Strengthen AYUSH education and services
- C) Fund private hospitals
- D) Develop modern pharmaceuticals
Answer: B) Strengthen AYUSH education and services
Solution: Launched in 2014, NAM aims to promote cost-effective AYUSH services, education, drug quality, and medicinal plant cultivation.
5. What is the funding pattern for NAM in Northeastern states?
- A) 50:50
- B) 60:40
- C) 90:10
- D) 70:30
Answer: C) 90:10
Solution: For Northeastern and hilly states, the funding pattern for NAM is 90:10 (Centre:State), as per the 12th Five-Year Plan.
6. Which initiative prevents biopiracy of traditional knowledge?
- A) AYURGYAN Scheme
- B) Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
- C) National Health Mission
- D) Champion Sector Services Scheme
Answer: B) Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
Solution: Established in 2001 with CSIR, the TKDL documents traditional medicinal knowledge to prevent biopiracy.
7. What is the market size of the AYUSH sector in 2023?
- A) USD 2.85 billion
- B) USD 10 billion
- C) USD 43.4 billion
- D) USD 20 billion
Answer: C) USD 43.4 billion
Solution: The AYUSH market grew from USD 2.85 billion in 2014 to USD 43.4 billion in 2023, reflecting significant economic impact.
8. Which institute was established in 2020 in Jamnagar?
- A) National Institute of Homoeopathy
- B) Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda
- C) All India Institute of Ayurveda
- D) Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga
Answer: B) Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda
Solution: The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda was established in 2020 in Jamnagar as an Institute of National Importance.
9. What global event was declared by the UNGA in 2014 to promote Yoga?
- A) World Health Day
- B) International Day of Yoga
- C) Global AYUSH Summit
- D) World Ayurveda Congress
Answer: B) International Day of Yoga
Solution: The UNGA declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, boosting global awareness.
10. Which scheme promotes research and innovation in AYUSH?
- A) National Health Mission
- B) AYURGYAN Scheme
- C) Champion Sector Services Scheme
- D) National Rural Health Mission
Answer: B) AYURGYAN Scheme
Solution: The AYURGYAN Scheme was launched to encourage research, innovation, and development in the AYUSH sector.
Conclusion
The Ministry of AYUSH, established on November 9, 2014, has been instrumental in reviving India’s traditional healthcare systems. With a vision to achieve global recognition for AYUSH practices, it has driven economic growth, expanded infrastructure, and integrated traditional medicine into modern healthcare. Initiatives like the National AYUSH Mission, AYURGYAN Scheme, and WHO collaborations underscore its commitment to a Healthy India. For more details, visit ayush.gov.in or explore the AYUSH Research Portal.
Sources:
- Ministry of AYUSH: ayush.gov.in
- Vision IAS: visionias.in
- PMC: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- PIB India: pib.gov.in
