India is marking the 11th Ayurveda Day on September 23rd, celebrating a decade of efforts to integrate the country’s ancient healing system into modern healthcare. The Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have made Ayurvedic treatments available alongside conventional medicine in government clinics and hospitals nationwide. The government is now offering free online consultations, insurance coverage, and scientific research backing to make these traditional practices more accessible and reliable for ordinary citizens.
What the government has built
Between 2014-15 and 2025-26, the Central Government released over Rs. 6,406.99 crore through the National Ayush Mission to states and union territories. This funding has created:
- 12,260 Ayush Arogya Mandirs (wellness centres) as of September 19, 2026, with a target of 12,500
- Ayush services in 13,249 public health facilities, including 6,302 primary health centres, 3,191 community health centres, and 475 district hospitals
- 25,322 Ayush doctors and 5,666 Ayush paramedics funded across states
- Departments of Integrative Medicine at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and other central hospitals
For education and research, the government has established 593 Ayurveda colleges offering 45,245 undergraduate and 5,673 postgraduate seats. Research funding through schemes like AYURGYAN has allocated Rs. 9.38 crore across 17 Ayurveda projects, with focus on safety and efficacy studies of traditional botanicals.
On insurance, the All-India Institute of Ayurveda signed an empanelment agreement with all 32 general insurance companies in India on February 10, 2026, allowing cashless Ayurvedic treatment. The government also operates eSanjeevani, a free telemedicine platform that has served over 50 crore patients and now includes Ayush specialists.
What this means for you
You can now access Ayurvedic treatments at government hospitals and clinics without paying separately, and many of these services are covered under health insurance if you have a cashless empanelled policy. Free online doctor consultations in Ayurveda are available through eSanjeevani. The government is also regulating Ayurvedic medicines strictly under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to ensure safety and quality, and has introduced standardised regulations for Ayurvedic food products.