India – The Indian government has significantly increased the financial allocation for the Ministry of Ayush in the Union Budget for 2025-26, signaling a strong commitment to the promotion and development of traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda. The total budget allocated to the Ministry of Ayush stands at ₹3,992.90 crore, marking a substantial 14.15% hike compared to the revised estimate of ₹3,497.64 crore in the fiscal year 2024-25.
This increased budgetary support is expected to provide a significant impetus to various aspects of the Ayush sector, particularly Ayurveda, which forms a cornerstone of India’s traditional healing heritage. The funds will be directed towards strengthening research and development, enhancing educational institutions, improving infrastructure, ensuring quality control of medicines, and promoting the global outreach of Ayush systems.
Key Highlights of the Budget Allocation
Overall Increase
The ₹3,992.90 crore allocation demonstrates the government’s continued focus on mainstreaming Ayush and recognizing its potential in the national healthcare system.
Support for Autonomous Bodies
A significant portion of the budget, ₹1,965.80 crore, has been allocated to autonomous bodies under the Ministry of Ayush. This includes key research institutions such as the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), which has been allocated ₹457.20 crore. These funds will bolster research activities, clinical trials, and the development of evidence-based practices in Ayurveda and other Ayush systems. Other research councils for Homeopathy, Unani, and Siddha have also received allocations.
National Ayush Mission (NAM)
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National Ayush Mission has been allocated ₹1,275 crore. This scheme plays a crucial role in providing better access to Ayush services by increasing the number of Ayush hospitals and dispensaries, upgrading existing facilities, and operationalizing Ayush Health and Wellness Centres across the country.
Education and Research
Institutions dedicated to Ayurveda education and research, such as the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Delhi, which has been allocated ₹251.20 crore, and the National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata (₹93.96 crore), will continue to receive financial support. This will help in expanding research initiatives, modernizing infrastructure, developing new courses, and fostering collaborations both nationally and internationally. The AYURGYAN scheme, aimed at promoting Ayush education, research, and innovation, has been allocated ₹50 crore.
Quality Control and Standardization
Ensuring the quality and safety of Ayush medicines is a key priority. The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) has been allocated ₹21.96 crore. These funds will support the development of pharmacopoeial standards for Ayush medicines and strengthen quality control measures, enhancing the credibility of Indian Ayush products in domestic and global markets. The AYUSH Oushadhi Gunvatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY), focused on augmenting the safety and quality of Ayush drugs, has been allocated ₹27 crore.
Medicinal Plants
The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) has been allocated ₹18.59 crore to support the cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants, ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials for Ayush treatments. This includes providing financial assistance to farmers engaged in herbal farming and research on rare and endangered species. The Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development, and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants has been allocated ₹65 crore.
International Cooperation
The government is actively promoting the global acceptance of Ayush systems. The budget includes allocations for the Promotion of International Cooperation in Ayush, with ₹136 crore allocated to facilitate international promotion, development, and recognition of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. This includes establishing Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign universities and collaborating with international health organizations.
Impact and Future Outlook
This significant budget increase is expected to have a wide-ranging positive impact on the Ayush sector:
- Enhanced Research and Innovation: Increased funding will accelerate scientific research to validate the efficacy of Ayurvedic treatments and develop new therapeutic solutions.
- Improved Infrastructure and Education: Ayush institutions will be able to upgrade their facilities, enhance the quality of education, and produce skilled professionals.
- Greater Global Recognition: Standardization and quality control measures will help in gaining international acceptance for Indian traditional medicine systems.
- Support for Farmers and Industry Growth: Investments in medicinal plant cultivation will boost rural employment and strengthen the supply chain for Ayush medicines.
- Wider Healthcare Access: Integrating Ayush into the public health system through NAM will make these traditional healthcare options more accessible to a larger population.
The increased budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Ayush in 2025-26 underscores the government’s commitment to harness the potential of Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems for the well-being of the nation and to position India as a global leader in holistic healthcare. This financial boost is a crucial step towards integrating Ayush into the mainstream healthcare framework and promoting its benefits worldwide.