In order to promote Indian System of Medicine and bring efficiency and standards the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine has recently notified (Minimum essential standards, assessment and rating for undergraduate Ayurveda colleges and attached teaching hospitals) Regulations, 2024 and National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Essential Standards, Assessment and Rating for Undergraduate Siddha Colleges and Attached Teaching Hospitals) Regulations, 2024 for setting minimum essential standards and to put Indian System of Medicine on world stage several reforms have been undertaken. However, before discussing about the Regulation, it is necessary to understand what is Indian System of Medicine.
Indian System of Medicine are traditional medicine system which have been present in our diverse culture for a long period of time, some of which have originated here and others became part of our traditional system. Like the multifaceted culture in our country, traditional medicines have evolved over centuries. Blessed with a plethora of traditional medicines and practices, Indian System of Medicine includes following Medicines:
- Ayurveda- It is the last of the four great bodies of knowledge known as Vedas contain 114 hymns related to formulations for the treatment of different diseases. The Ayurvedic practitioners recommended diet and lifestyle changes along with drug therapy. The methods of Ayurveda such as applying herbs and massages can simultaneously be used along with other systems. Treatment includes Lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, herbal remedies, detoxification therapies (Panchakarma), yoga, meditation, massage (Abhyanga).
- Unani- This also means ‘Greek Medicine’, and is a form of traditional medicine widely practiced in South Asia. Unani medicine is based on the concept of the four tumors, Phlegm, Blood, Yellow Bile and Black Bile. Treatment includes Herbal remedies, dietary interventions, cupping (Hijama), lifestyle modifications.
- Siddha- It comes from the word Siddhi which means an object to attain perfection or heaven. Siddhi is attained through meditation which cures mental illness and promotes mental, emotional and physical well-being. It originated in ancient Tamil Nadu, India; influenced by Ayurveda and Tamil culture; balance of five elements and three doshas.
- Sowa Rigpa- The term Sowa-Rigpa is derived from Bhoti language which means ‘knowledge of healing’. It is an ancient Indian medical system conceived and propounded by Lord Buddha and later developed in the Trans- Himalayan region. Sowa-Rigpa originated in India 2500 years ago and was introduced in the Trans Himalayan region around the 8th Century CE. Since then, it has been prevalent in the Trans Himalayan region of India. Sowa-Rigpa is a traditional medical system of Ladakh, Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalingpong (West Bengal); Lahoul-Spiti, Kinnour, Dharamsala regions of Himachal Pradesh; Mon-Tawang and west Kameng regions of Arunachal Pradesh; and Tibetan settlements in various parts of India. Sowa-Rigpa is also traditionally practiced in Bhutan, Mongolia, Tibet, China, Nepal and some parts of Central Asia.
NEED OF NEW ACT FOR INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE
The Indian System of Medicine was first regulated by Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 wherein Central Council of Indian Medicine was constituted. Since its establishment in 1971, the Central Council has been framing on and implementing various regulations including the Curriculum and Syllabus in Indian Systems of Medicine viz. Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Tibba at Under-graduate and Post-graduate level. The Sowa Rigpa System of Medicine was included in the Central Council of Indian Medicine in the year 2012. However, in order to bring reform and promote the traditional system of medicine, as well as to improve the working of the medical colleges, hospital under Indian System of Medicine, the Central Government brought National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020 wherein National Commission for Indian System of Medicine has been formed. Its introduction is aimed at standardizing education, ensuring quality healthcare delivery, and promoting research in these traditional systems of medicine.
TABLE OF NEW REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE NCISM ACT, 2020
| New Regulation | Regulations Repealed | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Standards of Undergraduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations-2022 | Indian Medicine Central Council (Minimum Standards of Education in Indian Medicine) Regulation, 1986 | The Object of the New Regulation is to streamline the admission process, eligibility, course details, curriculum etc., in Ayurveda Colleges |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Standards of Undergraduate Unani Education), Regulations 2022 | No Regulation repealed | The Object of the New Regulation is to streamline the admission process, eligibility, course details, curriculum etc., in Unani Colleges |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Standard of Undergraduate Siddha Education) Regulations, 2022 | No Regulation Repealed | The Object of the New Regulation is to streamline the admission process, eligibility, course details, curriculum etc., in Siddha Colleges |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Standard of Undergraduate Sowa-Rigpa Education) Regulations, 2022 | Indian Medicine Central Council (Minimum Standards of under-graduate Sowa-Rigpa Medical Education) Regulation, 2017 | The Object of the New Regulation is to streamline the admission process, eligibility, course details, curriculum etc., in Sowa-Rigpa Colleges |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Recognition of Qualifications) Regulations, 2023 | No Regulation was Repealed | The Object of the New Regulation is to Recognize the Medical Qualification for Indian System of Medicine |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (National Examinations for Indian System of Medicine) Regulations, 2023 | No Regulation was Repealed | The Object of the New Regulation is to establish an examination cell and conducting of exams and National Exit Test |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Essential Standards, Assessment and Rating for Undergraduate Unani Colleges and Attached Teaching Hospitals) Regulations, 2023 |
|
Object of the Act is to lay down the procedure for establishment and setting of minimum essential standards in Unani Colleges. |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Essential Standards, Assessment and Rating for Undergraduate Sowa-Rigpa Colleges and Attached Teaching Hospitals) Regulations, 2023 |
|
Object of the Act is to lay down the procedure for establishment and setting of minimum essential standards in Sowa-Rigpa Colleges. |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Medical Research in Indian System of Medicine) Regulation, 2023 | No Regulation was Repealed | The Object of the Act is for efficient conducting of Medical Research in Indian System of Medicine |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Procedure for Engagement of Experts and Professionals) Regulations, 2023 | No Regulation was Repealed | The Object of the Act is to lay down procedure for engagement of experts and professionals |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (General) Regulations, 2023 | No Regulation was Repealed | The Object of the Act is to lay down procedure for the functioning of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Ethics and Registration) Regulations, 2023 | Practitioners of Indian Medicine (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics) Regulations, 1982 | The Object of the Act is to lay down the rights and privileges alongwith the duties placed upon the Practitioner of Indian System of Medicine and their enrollment in State and National Register |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Essential Standards, Assessment and Rating for Undergraduate Siddha Colleges and Attached Teaching Hospitals) Regulations, 2024 |
|
Object of the Act is to lay down the procedure for establishment and setting of minimum essential standards in Siddha Colleges. |
| National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum essential standards, assessment and rating for undergraduate Ayurveda colleges and attached teaching hospitals) Regulations, 2024 |
|
Object of the Act is to lay down the procedure for establishment and setting of minimum essential standards in Ayurveda Colleges. |
COMPLIANCES FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL COLLEGE
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For Ayurveda Medical College-
Process of Application: Institution shall submit the application in Form-29A either online or offline or both within the time frame as specified by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Indian System of Medicine along with all necessary supportive documents and a non-refundable application fee and processing fee which shall be paid through the National Electronic Funds Transfer or Real Time Gross Settlement in the Commission’s account which shall be valid for a year. -
For Siddha Medical Colleges-
Process of Application: Siddha Undergraduate Medical College or institution shall submit the application in Form-A either online or offline or both within the time frame as specified by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Indian System of Medicine along with No Objection Certificate or Essentiality Certificate in Form-C, Consent of Affiliation in Form-E and all other necessary documents and a non-refundable application fee of rupees two lakh and processing fee of rupees ten lakh, fifteen lakh, twenty lakh and twenty-five lakh for 60, 100, 150 and 200 student intake capacity respectively which shall be paid online on National Electronic Fund Transfer or Real Time Gross Settlement in favour of National Commission Fund for Indian System of Medicine along with applicable taxes where a letter of permission shall be valid for one year. -
For Sowa-Rigpa Medical Colleges-
Process of Application: Any person intending to establish a new Sowa-Rigpa medical college or institution shall submit the application or scheme or proposal through online or offline in Form-1 along with required documents or particulars or enclosures, and non-refundable application fee. -
For Unani Medical Colleges-
Process of Application: Application shall be submitted by any person (a university, society, trust, or any other body, not including Central Government) in the Form-A along with the applicable non-refundable application fee and processing fee.
CONCLUSION
The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine by introducing the Regulations related to Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Unani have streamlined the setting up of new colleges of Indian System of Medicine under https://ncismindia.org/index.php and have improved the standards of teaching staff as well as the intake of students in the Indian System of Medicine Colleges. The National Commission has addressed key issues relating to establishment and setting up of minimum standards in colleges of Indian System of Medicine at the time when there has been awareness and increased interest for conventional medicine and embrace holistic lifestyles. Furthermore, the step taken where necessary as Indian System of Medicine is emerging as a valuable complement to modern healthcare practices and is a growing and emerging sector with a market size of 18 Billion US Dollars.
Disclaimer
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