The Medical Boundaries for AYUSH Practitioners
Debate surrounding the legal and ethical boundaries for AYUSH practitioners has reignited, focusing on their roles, rights, and limitations within India’s healthcare landscape in 2025. The issue is deeply rooted in history, intricately linked to cultural identity, public health standards, and the evolution of India’s regulatory framework for traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, and Yoga.
Historical and Legal Context
Origins: The debate dates back to the Bhore Committee (1946), which supported evidence-based medicine over traditional approaches. The government subsequently recognized AYUSH on cultural preservation grounds, establishing regulatory and educational frameworks for these systems.
Regulatory Landscape: AYUSH practitioners are legally recognized, but their ability to prescribe allopathic (modern) medicines varies across states and is continuously shaped by court rulings and state regulations.
Recent Court Decisions: The Supreme Court and consumer courts have generally held that AYUSH practitioners cannot prescribe modern allopathic medicines unless registered under specific state medical councils that permit such practice. Without such registration, AYUSH practitioners are limited to practicing within their respective systems.
Policy Developments: Government initiatives, like the 2020 notification allowing post-graduate Ayurvedic doctors to perform surgeries, have led to further scrutiny and ongoing judicial review.
AYUSH Practice Boundaries and Integration
Scope of Practice: AYUSH practitioners are expected to operate within their respective medical systems. Any extension—such as performing surgeries or prescribing modern medicine—is either specifically regulated or challenged.
Integration with Mainstream Healthcare: The National AYUSH Mission and related policies aim to integrate AYUSH services into primary healthcare, focusing on accessibility, quality, and collaborative care, but maintain clear professional boundaries.
Disciplinary Oversight: Practitioners must adhere to codes of ethics and are governed by distinct regulatory bodies based on their registration and qualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can AYUSH practitioners legally do in India?
AYUSH practitioners can provide treatment, prescribe medicines, and perform procedures only within the framework of their respective systems (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, or Yoga). Their scope is defined by Indian law and varies by state regulations.
Can AYUSH practitioners prescribe modern allopathic medicines?
Generally, no. AYUSH doctors cannot prescribe allopathic medicines unless registered under an authorized state medical council specifically permitting this practice. Courts have upheld that without such registration, this is not permitted.
Are AYUSH practitioners allowed to perform surgeries?
In 2020, the government allowed select Ayurvedic postgraduates to perform certain surgeries, but this policy is under judicial review and is subject to future interpretation and court decisions.
Who regulates AYUSH practitioners?
They are regulated by separate central and state councils for each system (Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathy, Siddha), which set the educational, practice, and ethical standards.
What impact does this have on public health?
The ongoing debate emphasizes patient safety, quality of care, and informed consent while balancing the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific evidence in mainstream healthcare.
Published on: July 29, 2025
Published by: PAVAN
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