SYLLABUS
GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context: The 11th Ayurveda Day is being celebrated on 23 September 2026 under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow.”
About the Ayurveda Day
- Ayurveda is a science of life that is over 5,000 years old and has roots tracing back to the Rigveda.
- The word Ayurveda is derived from Ayu (life) and Veda (science), with its foundational goal—“Swasthasya Swasthya rakshnam, aturasya vikara prashaman”—being to maintain wellness in the healthy and cure illness in the sick.
- Ayurveda defines true health as a harmonious balance of metabolic entities, requiring optimal alignment among the bio-energies (doshas), metabolic fire (agni), bodily tissues (dhatus) and waste elimination (malas), alongside the soul (atma), mind (manas) and senses (indriyas).
- The medicinal and therapeutic properties of plants, animal products and minerals are described in the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.
- The Government began the national observance of Ayurveda Day in 2016 to honour and promote this heritage.
- From a single seminar in New Delhi, Ayurveda Day has evolved into a campaign spanning more than 150 countries, with 21,874 activities registered in 2025.
- 23 September is the fixed observance date from 2025.
Significance of the Day
- Scientific Research and Evidence: The day promotes scientific research, evidence-based validation and quality standards to strengthen Ayurveda’s contemporary relevance.
- Healthcare Integration: The expansion of Ayush clinics, hospitals, departments, telemedicine and integrated healthcare facilities reflects the growing integration of Ayurveda with contemporary healthcare.
- Education and Research: The expansion of Ayurveda colleges, undergraduate and postgraduate seats, research programmes and Centres of Excellence is strengthening the educational and research ecosystem.
- Global Recognition: The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision Module includes Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani terminology, enabling standardised recording of traditional-medicine diagnoses.
- International Outreach: International partnerships, Ayush Information Cells, academic chairs, research collaborations and global traditional medicine initiatives are expanding the global outreach of Ayurveda.
Government Initiatives to Promote Ayurveda
- National Ayush Mission: Between 2014–15 and 2025–26, the Central Government released over ₹6,406.99 crore through the National Ayush Mission to States and Union Territories. 12,260 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush) are functional as on 19 September 2026.
- Public Healthcare and Telemedicine: Ayush services are available in 13,249 public health facilities, comprising 6,302 Primary Health Centres, 3,191 Community Health Centres, 475 District Hospitals and 3,281 other facilities. eSanjeevani also provides Ayush OPD services.
- Education and Research: As on March 2026, India has 593 Ayurveda colleges, 45,245 undergraduate seats and 5,673 postgraduate seats. AYURGYAN, AYUR SWASTHYA Yojana and CCRAS support research, clinical studies, drug research and Centres of Excellence.
- Quality and Regulation: Ayurvedic medicines are regulated under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Drugs Rules, 1945. The e-Aushadhi portal supports drug licensing, while Ayurveda Aahara provides a regulatory framework for Ayurvedic dietary products.
- International Cooperation: India has signed 27 Country-to-Country MoUs, 16 Academic Chair MoUs and 57 Institute-to-Institute MoUs. 46 Ayush Information Cells have been established across 43 foreign nations, with 104 scholarships offered to foreign nationals.