The Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Kolkata, under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), announced a five-day hands-on training programme in pre-clinical toxicology scheduled from 5 to 9 October 2026.
The programme was designed for postgraduate students, research scholars, faculty members and scientists working in drug safety assessment and pre-clinical research, particularly in relation to Ayurvedic medicines and herbal formulations.
According to the revised programme brochure, the training was scheduled to take place at CARI, Sector V, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal. Its objectives included familiarising participants with in silico, in vitro and in vivo toxicological evaluation methods, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and relevant regulatory guidelines.
The scheduled dates have passed. An official post-event update would be needed to confirm whether the programme was conducted as planned.
Understanding Pre-Clinical Drug Safety Research
Pre-clinical toxicology is an important part of drug development. It helps researchers evaluate the potential harmful effects of substances before they are tested in humans. Such studies can provide information about toxicity, dose-related effects and potential risks associated with medicines and other substances.
The announced training programme aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of toxicological evaluation, research methods and the interpretation of scientific findings. The brochure also highlighted the importance of pharmacological and toxicological studies in evaluating Ayurvedic medicines and herbal formulations.
The programme was designed to introduce participants to methods and guidelines used in pre-clinical research. However, toxicological evaluation is only one part of the broader process of assessing a medicine’s safety and efficacy.
Five Training Modules Cover Key Toxicology Topics
The revised brochure outlined five modules addressing major areas of pre-clinical research.
1. Pre-Clinical Drug Development and Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology
Faculty: Dr. Sharad D. Pawar
The module covered the pre-clinical drug development process, ethical considerations in animal research, and reproductive and developmental toxicity studies.
2. General Toxicology and Drug Interactions
Faculty: Dr. Lalrinpuia
Topics included acute, sub-chronic and chronic toxicity studies, along with concepts such as maximum tolerated dose, no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and the toxicological implications of drug interactions.
3. Animal Ethics and Histopathology in Toxicity Testing
Faculty: Dr. Rahul Singh
This module focused on animal research ethics, pathological assessment, laboratory instrumentation and the identification of target-organ toxicity.
4. Pharmacokinetics and Safety Pharmacology
Faculty: Dr. Qadir Alam
The module covered dose–response relationships, therapeutic windows and absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME). It also addressed safety evaluations involving the cardiovascular, respiratory and central nervous systems.
5. Carcinogenicity, Genotoxicity, GLP and Regulatory Guidelines
Faculty: Dr. M. Kalyankumar Raju
The final module covered Good Laboratory Practice and relevant national and international guidance for pre-clinical toxicological studies.
Together, the five modules were intended to introduce participants to different stages of safety assessment and the scientific and regulatory considerations involved in pre-clinical research.
Registration, Eligibility and Fees
The programme was intended for postgraduate students, research scholars, faculty members and scientists working in Dravyaguna, Agadatantra, pharmacology, experimental medicine, pre-clinical research and related disciplines.
According to the revised brochure, the registration details were as follows:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Students and Research Scholars | ₹3,000 |
| Faculty Members and Scientists | ₹5,000 |
| Number of Seats | 25 |
| Selection Method | First-come, first-served basis |
| Registration Deadline | 15 September 2026 |
| Registration Fee | Non-refundable |
| Fee Inclusions | Training kit, working lunch and certificate |
| Travel and Accommodation | Excluded from the fee |
The registration deadline and scheduled programme dates have passed. These details are provided for reference and should not be interpreted as an invitation for current registration.
Organising Institute and Programme Contacts
The programme was announced by the Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Kolkata, under CCRAS, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
The revised brochure listed the following programme officials:
- Chief Patron: Prof. (Vd.) Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS
- Patron: Dr. Narayanam Srikanth, Deputy Director General, CCRAS
- Organising Secretary: Dr. M. N. Suryawanshi, Director, CARI Kolkata
- Programme Supervisor: Dr. Sharad D. Pawar
The contact details listed in the announcement were:
- Email: trainingpharmacology@gmail.com
- Dr. Rahul Singh: 8755875983
- Dr. Lalrinpuia: 9123336774
- Dr. Qadir Alam: 9451071910
- Dr. M. Kalyankumar Raju: 8240862753
Readers should verify contact details through the official institute or programme documentation before using them.
Access the Revised Programme Brochure
The revised brochure is available through the following link:
Download the Revised Pre-Clinical Toxicology Training Brochure – CCRAS
Significance of the Training Programme
The announced programme highlighted the role of pre-clinical toxicology in medicine research, including the evaluation of Ayurvedic and herbal formulations. Its planned curriculum covered toxicology methods, pharmacokinetics, histopathology, safety pharmacology and regulatory guidelines.
The programme was intended to support the development of research skills among participants from relevant scientific and academic disciplines. Confirmation of its completion and any outcomes, however, requires an official post-event update from CCRAS or CARI Kolkata.
Editorial note: This report is based on the revised programme brochure attributed to CCRAS. The brochure documents the planned programme details but does not, by itself, establish that the event took place as scheduled.
