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The Parliamentary Panel on Health and Family Welfare has asked the Ministry of Ayush to come out with detailed, year-wise strategic plans to realise a market capitalisation of $200 billion for the Ayush sector in five years, projecting an enhanced budgetary allocation to achieve the vision.
The recommendation comes at a time when the Ministry of Finance is expected to present its Budget Estimates for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the beginning of February.
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its 168th report on action taken by the government on the recommendations the Panel has made in the 165th report on Demands for Grants 2025-26 of the Ministry of Ayush, has also asked the Ministry to develop a comprehensive short-term action plan with provisions for mid-term evaluations to assess the progress, in order to achieve the vision of Ayush@2047.
"...while the Ministry has articulated an ambition to realize a market capitalization of USD 200 billion for Ayush within next five years, the Committee urges the submission of a detailed, year-wise strategic plan outlining implementation frameworks, institutional responsibilities, and resource allocation," said the Panel headed by Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav in a latest report.
"A comprehensive response with details of schemes and plans for growth and development of Ayush activities and the Ministry should project a much more enhanced budgetary allocation," it added.
The Ministry has earlier informed the Panel that the Ayush manufacturing and services command about $50 billion market size and the ambitious plan is to reach $200 billion market in next five years. The Panel, in its previous report itself, noted this and expressed its apprehension that the low budget allocation of 0.012 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) may affect this goal.
It also suggested that the Ministry need to come up with more new schemes and strategies for growth and development of Ayush activities and claim for a much more enhanced budgetary allocation in comparison to the Department of Health and Family Welfare. In response to this, the Ministry submitted details of various initiatives from the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA).
Evaluating the response from these two institutions in advancing Ayush through clinical services, international collaborations and research initiatives, among others, the Panel sought clarification from the Ministry that whether the onus of these initiatives will reset exclusively with AIIA and CCRAS.
The Panel, in the latest report, also appreciated the larger vision of Ayush@2047, but added that in order to effectively address the Committee's recommendations for the development of the sector, "the Ministry of Ayush should develop a comprehensive short-term action plan, clearly delineating measurable targets and timelines, with provisions for mid-term evaluations to assess progress."
"Therefore, the Committee recommends that the Annual Action Plans of each organ of Ayush be strictly monitored and outcome thereof be vetted properly ensuring that the year plans are executed fully," it added.
The Budgetary allocations must be aligned with both long-term objectives and immediate priorities, ensuring optimal fund utilization through a robust and adaptive monitoring mechanism. Immediate actions should include the initiation of pilot projects and awareness campaigns at the regional level, aiming for measurable outcomes within 6-12 months.
To mitigate deviations, the Ministry should establish real-time monitoring systems and mechanisms for timely course correction. Furthermore, research initiatives should be expedited, particularly focusing on the clinical validation of Ayush practices. Enhanced inter-departmental coordination is crucial for integrating Ayush into broader national health strategies and fostering international collaboration.
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