New Delhi, February 2 – In a transformative move, the Union Budget has injected fresh momentum into India’s AYUSH sector, positioning the nation as a global leader in holistic healthcare. Union Minister of State for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, hailed the announcements as a bridge connecting health policy with rural livelihoods, export growth, youth employment, and entrepreneurship.
The budget’s strategic initiatives underscore the government’s vision for an inclusive, competitive healthcare ecosystem where AYUSH – encompassing Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy – plays a pivotal role. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled ambitious plans to bolster education, research, quality control, global leadership, medical tourism, and skilled workforce development in AYUSH.
Key highlights include the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda (AIIA). These premier institutions will elevate graduation and post-graduation programs, foster cutting-edge research, and deliver superior integrated care, raising educational standards nationwide.
Upgrades to AYUSH pharmacies and testing labs promise enhanced certification standards, boosting product quality, consumer trust, and export potential. This will directly benefit medicinal plant farmers and MSME drug manufacturers, fueling economic growth.
The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar will receive a major upgrade, amplifying research, international training, and policy dialogues to cement India’s status as the world’s knowledge hub for traditional medicine.
AYUSH centers will integrate into five proposed Regional Medical Value Tourism Hubs, blending modern treatments with traditional therapies, wellness services, and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the NSQF-linked caregiver training programs now incorporate yoga and wellness skills, targeting 1.5 lakh trainees next year to strengthen elderly care and preventive health services.
Minister Jadhav emphasized that these measures will empower traditional medicine in disease prevention, economic advancement, and elevating India’s global identity. The budget not only fortifies AYUSH but charts a course for holistic health innovation on the world stage.