The Ministry of Ayush is actively promoting India's traditional medicine systems globally through multiple initiatives. The international recognition of Yoga includes the UN-declared International Day of Yoga on June 21, observed worldwide since 2014. The Ministry collaborates with the World Health Organization, resulting in the WHO Technical Report on Training in Yoga that establishes international standards for Yoga training integration into healthcare.
International cooperation is facilitated through 27 country-to-country MoUs, 16 Ayush Chair MoUs, and 57 institute-to-institute MoUs specifically for promoting Yoga and other Ayush systems. Recent agreements include a 2025 MoU between Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and Mongolian Yoga Federation for academic collaboration, and a 2026 MoU with Association Reunionnaise des Relations et Creations Culturelles for Yoga cooperation development.
The Ministry implements a central sector scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for Ayush that supports Indian manufacturers and service providers to boost exports, facilitates international promotion and recognition, fosters stakeholder interaction, and promotes academics through Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries. Annually, the Ministry offers 104 scholarship slots to foreign nationals for undertaking Ayush courses in premier Indian institutions.
Research councils and national institutes under the Ministry are conducting numerous initiatives to promote evidence-based research. The National Institute of Homoeopathy has three ongoing collaborative projects: a study on Podophyllum peltatum mother tincture for hepatocellular carcinoma with NIPER Kolkata, research on multi-component homeopathic drugs in pneumonia with IIT Kharagpur, and a randomized controlled trial on Hypericum perforatum for periodontitis patients with ESIC Hospital Ranchi.
The North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy is conducting two clinical researches: promoting Ayurveda interventions for Iron Deficiency Anemia among tribal females in Meghalaya, and a community-based study on Punarmavadi Mandura for anemia management in older adults.
The Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy undertakes research projects, CME programmes, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives that have enhanced employment opportunities by strengthening the pool of trained Yoga professionals, therapists, instructors, and wellness practitioners.
The National Institute of Ayurveda conducts postgraduate and doctoral programmes, evidence-based research projects, clinical studies, and multidisciplinary collaborative research. It regularly organizes CME programmes, workshops, seminars, and training programmes on research methodology, scientific writing, biostatistics, and promotes digital learning through the SWAYAM Portal.
The National Institute of Naturopathy has established a dedicated Research Department and DHR-registered Institutional Ethics Committee. It conducts faculty development programmes, research methodology workshops, GCP training, scientific writing workshops, CME programmes, and national conferences. The institute has promoted clinical research, observational studies, systematic reviews, and community-based research while encouraging CTRI registration and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
The National Commission for Homoeopathy has implemented competency-based curricula for BHMS and MD programmes, introduced research methodology at undergraduate level, notified Medical Research in Homoeopathy Regulations 2023, formed a Homoeopathic Research Regulation Committee, and conducted research methodology training for postgraduate students and teachers. These initiatives have increased employment requirements, now mandating 40 full-time teachers per college (up from 28), introducing Statistical Assistants, Associate Professors for Research Methodology & Biostatistics, Yoga instructors, and additional teaching staff for Pharmacology and Psychology.
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences conducts multidisciplinary research through 30 institutes across India, encompassing literary, fundamental, drug standardization, pharmaceutical, pharmacological, microbiology, biotechnology, medicinal plant, clinical, and public health research. The Council validates classical formulations, develops evidence-based interventions, standardizes drugs, and facilitates technology transfer. Research is supported through collaborations with premier institutions and adoption of advanced technologies including AI, machine learning, genomics, and proteomics.
Other initiatives include Capacity Building Training Programmes for State Drug Regulators by PCIM&H, and the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda conducting research with 90 MD scholars and 33 PhD researchers annually along with IMR and EMR projects.
These comprehensive efforts have significantly strengthened the Ayush ecosystem through enhanced research capabilities, improved quality of education and skill development, and increased opportunities for professional practice, research, and wellness services both domestically and internationally.