New Delhi: India celebrated the 11th Ayurveda Day on September 23, 2026, under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”, highlighting the government’s efforts to promote Ayurveda in public healthcare, education, scientific research, digital access, quality standards, and international cooperation.
According to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) explainer, the government has expanded the integration of Ayurveda and other Ayush systems into public healthcare while increasing support for research, education, and infrastructure.
Ayurveda in Public Healthcare
The government is expanding Ayush services through the National Ayush Mission (NAM) and the National Health Mission (NHM).
Between 2014–15 and 2025–26, the Centre disbursed more than ₹6,406.99 crore to states and Union Territories under NAM to support the integration of Ayush healthcare into the wider public health system.
As of September 19, 2026, 12,260 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush) were reported to be functional against a target of 12,500.
Additionally, 13,249 public health facilities across the country were reported to offer Ayush services alongside conventional medical services. These included:
- 6,302 Primary Health Centres
- 3,191 Community Health Centres
- 475 district hospitals
- 3,281 other local health facilities
The government also provides staffing support to 25,322 Ayush doctors and 5,666 Ayush paramedics in states and Union Territories.
Ayurveda Services Expand Through Telemedicine and Insurance
Digital healthcare is another part of the government’s efforts to increase access to Ayush services.
The government’s eSanjeevani telemedicine platform provides outpatient consultations under Ayush alongside conventional medical services. The PIB explainer states that the platform has served more than 50 crore patients.
Ayush treatments have also been included in the health insurance framework. In 2024, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) made it mandatory for insurers to offer products or add-ons covering different systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, subject to their board-approved underwriting policies.
In February 2026, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, signed a Common Empanelment Memorandum of Understanding with the General Insurance Council, covering all 32 general insurance companies in India for cashless treatment at the institution.
Ayurveda Education Continues to Grow
The government is working to strengthen the educational infrastructure needed to support the expanding Ayush healthcare system.
As of March 13, 2026, India had:
- 593 Ayurveda colleges
- 45,245 undergraduate Ayurveda seats
- 5,673 postgraduate Ayurveda seats
The National Ayush Mission has also supported the establishment of new Ayush colleges and the upgrading of existing institutions, including facilities for pharmacy and paramedical education.
Research and Scientific Validation Remain Priorities
The government has placed increasing emphasis on research and scientific validation in Ayurveda.
The AYURGYAN scheme, launched by the Ministry of Ayush in 2021–22, earmarked ₹17.79 crore for 34 research projects, including ₹9.38 crore for 17 Ayurveda-focused projects.
By early 2026, the government reported that 11 specific research projects had been approved, including projects to develop safety and efficacy dossiers for five single Ayurvedic botanicals.
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous research body under the Ministry of Ayush, leads scientific research and coordination in Ayurveda through a network of 30 national and regional institutes.
Supporting Student Research
The Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK) is another initiative intended to encourage research among undergraduate Ayurveda students.
The programme supports short-term independent research projects and aims to develop research interest and aptitude among students. According to the government, it benefited students across 289 Ayurveda colleges between 2022–23 and 2024–25.
CCRAS has also partnered with Anuvadini AI, an AI-based translation platform developed by the Ministry of Education’s All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), to translate research findings, educational resources, and medical journals into 13 Indian languages.
Strengthening Standards for Ayurvedic Medicines
The government has also highlighted measures to strengthen the quality and safety standards applicable to Ayurvedic medicines.
Ayurvedic medicines are regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945. Manufacturers must comply with the applicable quality and manufacturing requirements.
The government has established an Ayush vertical within the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). It also uses the e-Aushadhi portal to process and track applications relating to drug manufacturing licences.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, has introduced regulatory provisions for Ayurveda Aahara, establishing a framework for foods based on Ayurvedic principles.
India Expands International Collaboration in Ayurveda
The government is pursuing international partnerships to expand the global presence of Ayurveda and other Ayush systems.
According to the PIB explainer, India has signed:
- 27 country-level MoUs on cooperation in traditional medicine and homoeopathy
- 16 MoUs with foreign institutions for Ayush Academic Chairs
- 57 institution-to-institution MoUs for research and academic cooperation
India has also established 46 Ayush Information Cells in 43 foreign countries and provided scholarships to foreign nationals through the International Ayush Fellowship and Scholarship Programme.
The government has highlighted the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, as an international centre for research and policy development relating to traditional medicine.
WHO Recognition and Global Standardisation
The government has also highlighted the inclusion of Ayurveda-related terminology in the WHO International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11).
This inclusion enables the representation of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani diagnostic terminology through standardised coding within the relevant ICD-11 framework. It can support health information management and research, although practical implementation depends on the coding systems and healthcare settings used in individual jurisdictions.
₹4,408 Crore Allocated for Ayush in Union Budget 2026–27
The Union Budget 2026–27 allocated ₹4,408 crore to the Ministry of Ayush.
According to the government, the allocation includes plans to establish three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda, upgrade Ayush pharmacies and drug-testing laboratories, and strengthen the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar.
The investment is intended to support education, clinical services, research, quality control, and international outreach across the Ayush sector.
The Significance of Ayurveda Day
The 11th Ayurveda Day forms part of the government’s broader strategy to position Ayurveda within India’s evolving healthcare, education, and research ecosystem.
The emphasis extends beyond preserving traditional knowledge to include scientific research, validation, quality standards, professional education, digital access, and international collaboration.
However, government initiatives and research programmes should not be interpreted as proof that every Ayurvedic treatment or traditional claim has been clinically established. The strength of scientific evidence varies by intervention, and individual products and treatments remain subject to applicable research, safety, and regulatory requirements.
An Expanding Ayurveda Ecosystem
Ayurveda is becoming more integrated into different areas of India’s healthcare and knowledge infrastructure, including public health facilities, telemedicine, research institutions, educational programmes, and international partnerships.
The government’s Ayurveda Day message highlights an approach that seeks to connect India’s traditional knowledge systems with modern research, healthcare infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks.
Conclusion
India’s 11th Ayurveda Day was observed under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”, highlighting government initiatives in healthcare, education, research, regulation, and international cooperation.
With public healthcare facilities offering Ayush services, hundreds of Ayurveda colleges, dedicated research programmes, and international partnerships, the government is continuing to develop an ecosystem intended to strengthen Ayurveda’s role in contemporary healthcare while emphasising scientific research, quality, and responsible integration.
