The 11th Ayurveda Day was celebrated across India and internationally, with the national-level programme held in Nagpur, Maharashtra, highlighting the evolving role of Ayurveda in healthcare, public health, research and innovation. This year’s theme was “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow (स्वस्थ भविष्य के लिए आयुर्वेद)”.
The national celebration brought together policymakers, Ayurvedic practitioners, researchers, scientists, academics and representatives of Ayush institutions. The programme focused on strengthening evidence-based research, quality, innovation, standardisation and the wider application of Ayurveda in healthcare.
Prataprao Jadhav Calls for Evidence-Based
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, virtually inaugurated the national celebration in the presence of Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Prof. (Vaidya) Rabinarayan Acharya, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Jadhav emphasised the importance of linking Ayurveda’s traditional knowledge with contemporary research and innovation.
He called for connecting tradition with knowledge, evidence and innovation, and said Ayurveda Day should go beyond being an annual observance by encouraging broader public participation in healthy living.
Jadhav also highlighted the preventive dimension of Ayurveda and said, “The first center of health is not the hospital, but our home. The first foundation of health is not medicine, but our lifestyle.” (“स्वास्थ्य का पहला केंद्र अस्पताल नहीं, हमारा घर है। स्वास्थ्य का पहला आधार दवा नहीं, हमारी जीवनशैली है।”)
Referring to the Ayurvedic principle “स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्य रक्षणम्, आतुरस्य विकार प्रशमनम्”, he explained that Ayurveda places importance on maintaining health as well as addressing disease.
International Reach Expands
Jadhav referred to developments that have contributed to the growing international recognition of traditional medicine. Among them, he highlighted the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, the recognition of ITRA Jamnagar as an Institute of National Importance, and the inclusion of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani in the WHO ICD-11 classification.
He said the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific evidence and innovation would be important for Ayurveda’s continued development.
The Prime Minister’s message on the occasion was also read out during the programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Ayurveda’s progression from traditional knowledge towards evidence, knowledge and innovation can contribute to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of future generations.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the expansion of Ayurveda beyond India and referred to the AYUSH Visa facility, which enables foreign nationals to seek treatment under Ayush systems in India.
Referring to the resolve of “Shakti ki Sadhna”, Modi said India is moving steadily towards Viksit Bharat and expressed confidence that Ayurveda institutions, experts and young people would carry the tradition forward and contribute to building a healthy, capable and strong nation.
Ayush Secretary Highlights Research and Quality
Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, emphasised the need to combine Ayurveda’s knowledge traditions with scientific evidence, innovation and public health outcomes.
He stressed the importance of strengthening research, safety, quality and standardisation, while encouraging greater cooperation between Ayurveda and other healthcare systems.
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Kotecha highlighted the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, more than 43,000 research publications on the Ayush Research Portal, over 200 BIS standards, and the Ayush Quality Mark.
According to the Ministry, these initiatives are intended to strengthen the scientific foundation of Ayush systems and support their wider relevance in India and internationally.
Major Ayurveda Reports and Initiatives Unveiled
The national celebration featured the launch of several reports, guidelines and digital initiatives.
These included Safety Dossiers on Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and Chandrasura (Lepidium sativum) and Standard Treatment Guidelines on Skin Disorders.
The programme also saw the release of the first Ayush Services Sector Report, prepared by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS). The report provides an assessment of the Ayush services sector.
Another major publication launched at the event was “From Traditional Wisdom to Global Leadership: Ayush Vision 2030.” The programme also featured the Status Report on Ayush-related Inventions in India and the CCRAS–AGNI Assessment Scale Web Portal.
The initiatives focus on strengthening research and documentation, encouraging innovation, improving clinical guidance and supporting the systematic translation of Ayurveda knowledge into practice.
Scientific Sessions Focus on Healthcare and 2047 Roadmap
The celebration included two scientific sessions examining Ayurveda’s role in healthcare and public health.
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The first session, “Shashwatam to Vishwas – Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow and the Road to 2047,” featured Dr. G. Geethakrishnan Pillai, Unit Head, WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, Jamnagar.
The discussion examined the future trajectory of Ayurveda, evidence generation and its potential contribution to the broader health vision towards 2047.
The second session, “Integrating Therapies is Needed to Reduce NCD Burden by 2027,” featured Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi.
The session explored integrated therapeutic approaches in the context of the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.
The scientific discussions were followed by a summary presented by Prof. Sanjeev Sharma, Vice Chancellor, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur.
Focus on Ayush Innovation, Standards and Public Awareness
Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, delivered remarks on the report concerning Ayush-related inventions in India. Dr. A. Raghu, Adviser (Ayurveda), Ministry of Ayush, addressed the gathering on the Standard Treatment Guidelines for Skin Disorders.
The event also featured the presentation of Ayush Quality Mark Certification to four eligible industries, reflecting the emphasis on quality and standardisation across the sector.
A National Medicinal Plants Exhibition was organised at the venue, with stalls from national institutions under the Ministry of Ayush. The exhibition attracted visitors and participants and provided an opportunity to showcase medicinal plants and related institutional activities.
The programme was attended by Satyajit Paul, Senior Statistical Advisor, Ministry of Ayush; Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General, RIS; senior officials of the Ministry of Ayush; representatives of Ayush councils and institutions; and other stakeholders.
The national Ayurveda Day celebration in Nagpur brought together practitioners, researchers, scientists and academics from across the country. The discussions and initiatives highlighted the sector’s continuing focus on evidence, research, innovation, quality, standardisation and holistic care, while placing Ayurveda within a broader vision for healthcare and public health towards 2047.
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