Uttarakhand, the land of ancient sages and timeless spiritual traditions, has always been synonymous with Ayurveda, Yoga, and natural healing. Over the past two decades, the State has worked consistently to revitalise this heritage and translate it into a modern, people-centric, and growth-oriented wellness ecosystem.
Today, AYUSH has emerged as one of the most rapidly advancing sectors in Uttarakhand, with measurable progress in public health outreach, institutional expansion, quality assurance, wellness tourism, and global engagement. As the State steps into a new era with India’s first Yoga Policy 2025, Uttarakhand is poised to establish itself as the Global Capital of Yoga and Wellness.
A Statewide Transformation
Over the last 25 years, the AYUSH Department of Uttarakhand has expanded its presence across the length and breadth of the State. Today, 546 Government Ayurvedic hospitals, 111 Government Homoeopathy hospitals, and five Unani hospitals are functioning, supported by 190 AYUSH wings in CHCs/PHCs, 26 AYUSH wings in District Hospitals, and 90 wings in Additional PHCs. These facilities serve as the backbone of preventive and promotive healthcare, especially in rural and mountainous areas.
A remarkable achievement is the establishment of 300 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM), of which 149 have already secured NABH accreditation-reflecting Uttarakhand’s commitment to quality and transparency in healthcare delivery. Simultaneously, the State is rapidly strengthening specialised care. Thirty-eight Panchakarma units are already functional, with 112 new units under development. The construction of 50-bed Integrated AYUSH Hospitals in Tanakpur, Kotdwar, and Jakhnidhar-along with the operational hospital in Haldwani-marks a major step towards integrative healthcare.
Uttarakhand has developed a strong cadre of AYUSH professionals. Under the Uttarakhand Bhartiya Chikitsa Parishad, 5,491 Ayurvedic physicians, 201 Unani physicians, 10 Siddha physicians, 18 Naturopathy and Yoga physicians, 3,890 Ayurvedic pharmacists, and more than 1,700 Panchakarma assistants/technicians are registered in the State.
The Uttarakhand Ayurved University, with its 23 affiliated colleges, continues to advance education and research in Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, and Yoga. More than 25 paramedical colleges support AYUSH paramedical education.
Community Outreach
Public awareness and community participation form the foundation of Uttarakhand’s AYUSH initiatives. Programmes such as Poshan Abhiyaan, TB Mukt Abhiyaan, Swasthya Nari Shashakta Parivar, women-centric outreach campaigns like Supraja, and school-based health interventions such as Ayurvidya have significantly increased public engagement with Yoga, Ayurveda, and preventive healthcare.
More than 8,900 schools have been covered under the Ayurvidya programme in the last two years, reaching over five lakh students. Maternal wellness initiatives have also shown strong results, with more than 3,000 pregnant women benefiting from Supraja programmes run at Ayurveda University campuses.
Harnessing Technology
The State has begun integrating AI-based digital tools, modern diagnostic equipment, and telemedicine into AYUSH systems. RADAR software in 71 Homoeopathic hospitals, upgraded Panchakarma units, AI-based ECG machines, improved laboratory services, and tele-consultation platforms have significantly modernised traditional care delivery.
The upcoming Uttarakhand Wellness Portal will integrate registration, standardisation, rating systems, and service access for all wellness centres, Yoga institutions, and AYUSH service providers-positioning the State as a digitally empowered wellness hub. In 2025, Uttarakhand became the first Indian State to launch a comprehensive Yoga Policy to emerge as the world’s foremost Yoga destination.
Key Highlights of the Policy n Creation of Yoga Hubs: Rishikesh, Jageshwar, Mukteshwar, Tehri Lake, the Milam-Johar Valley, and other serene regions are being developed as specialised Yoga Hubs.
Towards a Global Wellness Destination:
Uttarakhand’s long-term roadmap presents a bold, structured vision:
Arogya/Wellness Stays
Sattvik kitchens, personalised wellness itineraries, Dinacharya kits, Yoga Nidra sessions, and tele-Prakriti screening for tourists.
Wellness in Adventure & Sports Tourism
Integration of Marma therapy, Tail Dhara, recovery protocols, and Sattvik nutrition for marathons, treks, and other events. State-Level Training and Excellence Centres. Plans include
Wellness Education in Schools
structured Yoga curriculum, regular wellness events, and mindfulness modules for students and teachers.
Investment Momentum
The private wellness ecosystem is thriving, with 58 registered private wellness centres and 27 new projects in the pipeline. Policies such as the Recent roadshows, including those in Japan and ASEAN countries, have generated strong interest in wellness tourism, the herbal industry, and training institutes.
Towards Global Leadership
Uttarakhand’s AYUSH momentum is not merely a sectoral achievement-it is a civilisational revival aligned with modern aspirations. The integration of Yoga, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, wellness tourism, research, and digital reforms reflects a holistic model that unites heritage with innovation. With India’s first Yoga Policy,
world-class AYUSH infrastructure, rapidly expanding wellness hubs, and a new generation of skilled professionals, Uttarakhand is on course to become the Global Hub of Yoga, Wellness, and Holistic Health.
The author is Secretary, AYUSH and AYUSH Education, Secretariat Administration, Government of Uttarakhand; views are personal