Context:
The Union Budget 2026–27 allocated ₹4,408 crore to the AYUSH sector, marking a significant push toward integrating traditional medicine systems into India’s healthcare framework and expanding global market opportunities.
Key Highlights:
- Budget Allocation
- Total allocation for AYUSH in Budget 2026–27: ₹4,408 crore.
- Significant increase compared to previous budgets.
- Institutional Expansion
- Establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda.
- Expansion of AYUSH hospitals, dispensaries, and wellness centres.
- National AYUSH Mission Strengthening
- Budget increased by 66% to ₹1,300 crore.
- Focus on modernisation and capacity building of AYUSH infrastructure.
- International Opportunities
- The India–EU Free Trade Agreement enables:
- Indian AYUSH practitioners to offer services in EU countries lacking traditional medicine regulation.
- Indian companies to establish wellness centres in Europe.
- Technology Integration
- Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI assistant, will assist farmers in cultivating medicinal plants.
- Protection of Traditional Knowledge
- Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) recognized under the India–EU trade agreement.
- Helps prevent biopiracy and misappropriation of traditional Indian medicinal knowledge.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- AYUSH Systems
- Ayurveda
- Yoga
- Naturopathy
- Unani
- Siddha
- Homoeopathy
- National AYUSH Mission (NAM)
- Launched in 2014.
- Aims to improve accessibility and quality of AYUSH healthcare services.
- Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
- Database documenting traditional medicinal knowledge from Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Yoga.
- Helps prevent patenting of traditional remedies abroad.
- Mixopathy
- Controversial practice allowing AYUSH practitioners to perform certain procedures of modern medicine.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Integration of Traditional and Modern Healthcare
- AYUSH systems emphasize preventive healthcare and holistic treatment.
- Integration can reduce pressure on conventional healthcare infrastructure.
- Economic Opportunities
- Growth of AYUSH sector can expand:
- Medical tourism
- Wellness industry
- Export of herbal products.
- Global Soft Power
- Promotion of Ayurveda and Yoga strengthens India’s cultural diplomacy.
- Challenges and Criticism
- Critics argue insufficient scientific validation for certain AYUSH treatments.
- Concerns over mixopathy and dilution of medical standards.
- Way Forward
- Promote evidence-based research in AYUSH systems.
- Strengthen quality control and global certification standards.
- Expand integration with primary healthcare services.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper II – Governance: Healthcare policy and traditional medicine integration.
- GS Paper III – Economy: AYUSH industry and medical tourism.
- GS Paper II – Social Justice: Affordable and accessible healthcare systems.