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Dr Rajesh Kotecha said the ministry is working to validate traditional medicine scientifically to boost confidence and verify efficacy claims
Dr Rajesh Kotecha said families will be trained to use traditional and alternative medicine practices themselves—whether it is managing fever, easing pain, or boosting immunity. (News18)
India’s healthcare system is set for a major shift, with the Modi government preparing to add a “fourth tier” of care focused on prevention and home-based management of diseases, a top government official told News18.
Speaking to News18, Dr Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, confirmed that his ministry is working on the creation of a fourth tier. He said the concept was envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is now under discussion through state-level consultations.
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Currently, the Indian health system is structured into three levels—primary, secondary and tertiary care—with primary covering basic healthcare at the community level, secondary providing specialised care at district hospitals, and tertiary offering advanced and super-speciality treatment in medical colleges and top hospitals in metros.
“Beyond primary, secondary, and tertiary care, this new tier will focus on people’s homes. Families will be trained to use traditional and alternative medicine practices themselves—whether it is managing fever, easing pain, or boosting immunity,” he explained. “The idea is to strengthen preventive health and self-care.”
Kotecha pointed out that Indians already show a strong inclination toward traditional practices but often lack clarity on their correct use. “There is a huge curiosity, a huge demand, and an undercurrent in India to use traditional medicines for health and prevention. Everyone knows that drinking turmeric milk is good, but no one knows the science behind it—how to drink it, how much, when or when not. We are working to induce such behaviour change,” he said.
The acceptance of Ayush, which stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy, has grown significantly in recent years, which Kotecha credits to the push from the prime minister. Quoting the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data from July 2022 to June 2023, the official said, “Around 46 per cent of rural and 53 per cent of urban individuals used Ayush for prevention or treatment of ailments in the past 365 days.”
He further highlighted that in rural India, about 95 per cent of both males and females aged 15 years and above have been found to be aware of Ayush, while in urban India awareness is around 96 per cent.
This has also translated into industry growth. “The impact is also visible in the industry and global markets. India’s Ayush exports have grown from $2.85 billion in 2014 to $43.4 billion, while the domestic manufacturing sector has seen a rise of six times in the last seven years.”
Ministry Working On Collecting Scientific Evidence
Ayush has been regularly questioned over the lack of scientific evidence. However, to boost confidence and verify efficacy claims, the ministry has been working to validate traditional medicine scientifically.
“Large-scale clinical studies are underway, including a randomised controlled trial on iron deficiency anaemia with nearly 4,000 participants across eight sites,” he said.
The secretary highlighted that the ministry’s collaborations with top institutions, such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and even the Ministry of Defence, show how AYUSH is now part of serious “modern science”.
The ministry has approved 12 integrative research proposals covering key areas such as geriatrics, women’s health, gastrointestinal conditions, and cancer care. A study on osteoarthritis using Ayurvedic interventions has also been approved.
Ayush professionals were provided research training by ICMR-NIE to strengthen research skills. “A research proposal on PCOS is currently under development, and large-scale clinical trials are being planned on botanicals like Ashwagandha and Shallaki.”
Kotecha believes, “this is how the ministry is building bridges between traditional knowledge systems and cutting-edge research”.
Fighting Obesity
Responding to the prime minister’s urgent call to tackle obesity, Kotecha said the ministry has begun large-scale clinical interventions. Trials on classical formulations such as Vyoshadi Guggulu, Haritaki Churna and Navaka Guggulu have shown improvements in body mass index, waist circumference and lipid profiles without serious side effects.
In three states, he said, Ayurveda-based screening and counselling have been introduced across 183 primary and community health centres.
“Ayurveda is also being integrated into Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and community wellness camps to address obesity at the grassroots level,” he said, adding that these programmes focus on lifestyle counselling, dietary modifications, and promoting physical activity in alignment with national health missions.
Artificial Intelligence Integration
Ayush is leading the charge in digitalising Ayurveda by integrating AI and advanced technologies to modernise traditional practices, claimed Kotecha. From predictive models for disease prevention to AI-powered e-libraries of ancient texts such as the Charaka Samhita, several initiatives are underway.
The Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) is developing a consolidated Ayush Master Application that will integrate over 22 digital platforms, including the Ayush Research Portal, Yoga Portal, e-Charak and Namaste Yoga App.
Ayurveda Day
The ministry is also gearing up for a global celebration. This year, Ayurveda Day will be marked on September 23, a fixed date chosen to coincide with the equinox, symbolising balance. Earlier, the day was celebrated on Dhanvantari Jayanti.
“This year’s theme, Ayurveda for People & Planet, highlights how Ayurveda is not just about individual health but also about harmony with nature,” Kotecha said. In 2024, Ayurveda Day reached 150 countries, underlining the growing international acceptance of India’s traditional systems of medicine. Hence, the ministry decided to fix a date.
About the Author
Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India’s COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass…Read More
Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India’s COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass… Read More
September 22, 2025, 08:30 IST
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