WHO Standards: Demystifying the Delhi Declaration of Ayurveda
At the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, held in New Delhi in December 2025, Ayurveda was placed within a wider global context for traditional medicine that is safe, evidence-informed and regulated. The Delhi Declaration was adopted by the Summit, and WHO’s current benchmarks for Ayurveda are reference standards for the practice and training of practitioners.
The Delhi Declaration on Traditional Medicine: What Is It?
The Delhi Declaration on Traditional Medicine was adopted at the end of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, in December 2025.
The summit was co-organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of India and was attended by delegates from over 100 countries. WHO said 800 delegates attended in person, with more than 16,000 online registrations.
The declaration is not an Ayurveda-specific law or a new global regulatory licence. Instead, it is a shared commitment by participating countries to strengthen the evidence, safety, regulation and appropriate integration of traditional medicine into health systems.
WHO identified several key areas of action:
- Improving research and the evidence base for traditional medicine
- Improving regulatory standards and safety
- Supporting the appropriate integration of health systems
- Developing better, interoperable health data
- Promoting cooperation among countries and communities
The declaration is part of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, the wider international framework for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine.
What Does It Mean for Ayurveda?
Traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda are part of the broader global framework.
One important point is that the Delhi Declaration does not create a global Ayurveda licence, nor does it give Ayurveda automatic acceptance as a medical system in all countries.
Rather, it provides a policy direction for countries to develop appropriate national systems for research, regulation, education, safety and integration.
This is important because Ayurveda is practised in different regulatory environments across the globe. Policymakers and institutions can use reference standards to compare approaches to training, professional practice, quality and safety.
WHO Standards for Ayurveda
For Ayurveda, specific benchmark documents have been developed by WHO.
The WHO Benchmarks for the Practice of Ayurveda (2022) define minimum criteria that can help national authorities develop or strengthen standards for qualified Ayurveda practice. They cover topics such as levels of practice, practitioner categories, infrastructure, health products and devices, safety, regulatory and ethical considerations, and health data.
A separate document, the WHO Benchmarks for the Training of Ayurveda, sets out the minimum requirements and criteria for Ayurveda education in WHO Member States. It includes competency-based knowledge and skills, training pathways, and safety considerations relevant to clinical practice and the preparation of medicines.
These documents are reference standards and do not provide a universal substitute for national licensing or regulatory systems.
National governments and regulators still decide how Ayurveda practitioners are educated, registered and allowed to practise in their jurisdictions.
Why Evidence and Safety Matter
One of the strongest messages from the global traditional medicine agenda is that wider use should be accompanied by stronger evidence and appropriate safety systems.
The Delhi Declaration calls for increased investment in research, improved regulation and safety monitoring, and better systems for measuring outcomes. WHO additionally emphasises the value of integrating traditional medicine into health systems where appropriate and where safety and effectiveness can be adequately supported.
For Ayurveda, this means that its global expansion cannot be built simply on its historical significance or rising public interest. The international development of Ayurveda will also be affected by research quality, practitioner competence, product quality, safety monitoring and transparent information.
What Does This Mean for Ayurveda Practitioners and Students?
The international benchmarks are useful for practitioners and educators seeking to understand the competencies, infrastructure and professional standards expected in Ayurveda practice.
The WHO training benchmarks can help students and training institutions appreciate the value of structured education and competency-based learning.
However, students and practitioners should not interpret the WHO benchmarks as a change in licensing requirements in India or any other country. Actual requirements for professional practice are determined by the relevant national and regional regulatory authorities.
What Will Be Different for Ayurveda Globally?
These developments suggest several areas that might come under greater scrutiny.
1. More Uniform Professional Standards
Common reference points can help countries improve requirements for practitioner education, clinical practice and professional oversight.
2. Enhanced Research Collaboration
The international framework promotes the generation and sharing of evidence on traditional medicine among countries and researchers.
3. Greater Emphasis on Safety and Quality
Regulatory systems are expected to focus more on the safety and quality of traditional medicine products and practices.
4. More Integration Where Appropriate
Countries may consider integrating safe and evidence-based traditional medicine services into existing health systems, in accordance with their own laws and priorities.
5. Greater International Collaboration
Common terminology, data systems, research platforms and regulatory dialogue might lead to easier collaboration between countries.
What Readers Should Remember
The term “global standard for Ayurveda” needs to be understood carefully.
The WHO benchmarks provide international reference points but do not define a single mandatory global regulatory system. Similarly, the Delhi Declaration is a collective policy commitment, not an immediately enforceable international law.
Implementation will depend on individual countries, their health systems, legislation, regulators and the available evidence.
For patients, these developments also do not mean that every Ayurvedic treatment is automatically proven effective or appropriate for every condition. Individual interventions, products and clinical circumstances need to be considered in terms of evidence and safety.
Why This Matters
The significance of the Delhi Declaration is that it goes beyond acknowledging traditional medicine and emphasises evidence, safety, regulation, data and responsible integration.
This is an opportunity for Ayurveda to engage more deeply in international health discussions while placing greater emphasis on scientific research, quality assurance and professional standards.
The long-term impact will depend on the extent to which countries translate these international commitments and reference standards into national policies, education systems, regulation, research programmes and healthcare practice.
Conclusion
The Delhi Declaration and WHO’s Ayurveda benchmarks are important milestones in the international discourse on traditional medicine. They do not create a single global Ayurveda licensing system, but they provide a framework and reference points for strengthening evidence, safety, training, regulation and appropriate integration.
The challenge is to integrate the well-established knowledge traditions of Ayurveda with credible research, consistent quality standards and responsible healthcare practice to support the international growth of Ayurveda.
