Ministry of Ayush Research and Regulatory Framework
The Ministry of Ayush has established specialized Research Councils to undertake, coordinate, formulate, develop, and promote evidence-based research across all Ayush systems of medicine. These research activities encompass Clinical Research, Drug Standardization, Pharmacological Research, Medicinal Plant Research, Literary Research & Documentation Programme, Fundamental research, pharmaceutical research, and Public Health Research. The ministry maintains a centralized digital repository called the Ayush Research Portal containing 43,722 evidence-based research articles covering all Ayush systems.
Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance
The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 contain exclusive regulatory provisions for Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASSU&H) drugs. Manufacturers must adhere to prescribed requirements for licensing of manufacturing units and medicines, including proof of safety and effectiveness, compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as per Schedule T and Schedule M of the Drugs Rules, 1945, and quality standards as prescribed in respective pharmacopoeias. Drug Inspectors regularly collect medicine samples from manufacturing firms or retail shops for testing at Drug Testing Laboratories under Drug Control departments. If any sample is found 'Not of Standard Quality', appropriate action is initiated including preventing sale and legal actions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Currently, 34 Drug Testing Laboratories are available in States/UTs for testing legal samples.
Standardization and Quality Control Initiatives
The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), a subordinate organization under Ministry of Ayush, develops pharmacopoeial standards and formulary specifications for Ayush drugs that serve as official compendia for determining identity, purity, and strength. Compliance with these standards is mandatory under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. PCIM&H also functions as the Appellate Drug Testing Laboratory for Ayush drugs and conducts regular capacity-building programmes for Drug Regulatory Authorities, Drug Analysts, and stakeholders on standardization and quality control. The Ministry has approved 118 private Drug Testing Laboratories across States and Union Territories under Rules 160A to 160J of the Drugs Rules, 1945, for testing identity, purity, quality and strength of Ayush drugs.
Quality Enhancement Schemes and Certification Programs
The Ministry is implementing the Central Sector Scheme Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) to support Ayush Pharmacies and Drug Testing Laboratories in achieving higher standards like WHO-GMP and NABL respectively. Additional initiatives include the Ayush Vertical in CDSCO facilitating issuance of WHO Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (WHO-CoPP) for eligible Ayush drugs through joint inspections with State/UT Licensing Authorities. The Quality Council of India awards Ayush Standard Mark and Ayush Premium Mark based on third-party assessment of compliance with national and international quality standards. The Ayush Quality Mark Programme was launched on December 19, 2025, to strengthen quality assurance and enhance global recognition.
National Ayush Mission and Digital Transformation
The Ministry implements the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National Ayush Mission (NAM) through State/UT Governments for overall development and promotion of Ayush systems. Financial assistance is provided based on proposals received through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) for: (i) Upgradation of Ayush Dispensaries and Sub-Health Centers into Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush); (ii) Upgradation of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Ayush Educational Institutions; and (iii) Establishment of new Government Ayush colleges in States/UTs with inadequate availability of teaching institutions.
The Ayush Grid project serves as the digital backbone driving digital transformation through integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and emerging technologies across healthcare, research, education, and citizen services. Twenty-four e-governance platforms have been developed and made accessible nationwide. The My Ayush Integrated Services Portal (MAISP) integrates all Ayush-related applications and services into a unified digital ecosystem. The ABDM-compliant Ayush Hospital Management Information System (AHMIS) digitizes healthcare delivery and management of Ayush health facilities. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants have been deployed across multiple portals including MAISP, Yoga Portal, eLMS portal, Ayush research Portal, e-Charak and Ayush Nivesh Saarthi.
International Cooperation and Promotion
The Ministry implements a central sector scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for Ayush including Yoga, Ayurveda and other AYUSH systems globally. This includes support to Indian Ayush drug manufacturers and service providers to promote export of Ayush products and services, international promotion and recognition, collaboration for global market development, establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries, and organization of training programmes and symposiums. The Ministry has signed 27 Country-to-Country MoUs, 16 Ayush Chair MoUs, and 57 Institute-to-Institute level MoUs. Annually, the Ministry offers scholarships for 104 foreign nationals to undertake Ayush courses in premier Indian institutions.