In the run-up to Ayurveda Day 2025 on September 23, Ayurveda is increasingly being recognised as a significant part of mainstream healthcare, now serving over 11 crore people annually through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush), co-located facilities, and community health programmes. With this year’s theme “Ayurveda for People & Planet”, the celebration highlights not only the global relevance of India’s traditional knowledge, but also its growing role in strengthening public healthcare systems across the country.
The Government’s flagship initiative, the National Ayush Mission (NAM), has accelerated the mainstreaming of Ayurveda within public health. Ayush facilities have now been co-located at 476 district hospitals, 3,002 community health centres, 6,349 primary health centres and more than 3,100 other health facilities under the National Health Mission. Over 24,989 Ayush doctors, supported by 3,657 pharmacists and 2,454 paramedics, are providing services, giving patients the option to choose Ayurveda alongside conventional medicine.
The scale of reach is reflected in the growing number of patients. Beneficiaries under the Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) initiative have grown from 5 crore in 2021 to 11.5 crore in 2024, with another 6.1 crore people already served in the first half of 2025 (till June). Ayurveda services are also increasingly visible in tertiary care institutions, yoga centres and panchakarma units, supported by an extensive infrastructure of 3,885 hospitals and 37,804 dispensaries, the majority of them in the Government sector.
The creation of a dedicated Ayush vertical within the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) further cements its role in the national health framework. The reach of Ayurveda goes beyond cities into India’s most remote communities. The commitment to extend quality healthcare services to the rural population, with special focus on the underprivileged Scheduled Caste communities. 2,112 dedicated health tours, covering 57 villages and reaching a population of 38,406 individuals. A total of 54,167 Scheduled Caste patients, including 10,012 children, were facilitated through on door health care services.
Beyond clinical care, extensive health awareness initiatives benefitted 74,739 individuals, empowering rural families with essential knowledge on preventive and promotive healthcare. The Tribal Health Care Research Programme (THCRP), being carried out by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), has been implemented in 2,025 villages across 14 states, serving nearly 9.5 lakh tribal residents. Over 4.7 lakh patients have received medical aid, while 1,729 local health traditions have been documented, blending community knowledge with scientific validation.
Aligned with the Government’s vision of inclusive growth and holistic development, Ayurveda is also making a strong impact in India’s North-Eastern states. Ayurveda Health Centres in the region have emerged as vital hubs of accessible and affordable care, serving 80,304 beneficiaries in 2023-24, rising to 89,699 in 2024-25. This steady increase reflects the growing trust of local communities in Ayurveda-based health services and demonstrates their importance in addressing the healthcare needs of the region.
Ayurveda’s contribution is no longer limited to stand-alone services, but extends to major national health priorities such as non-communicable disease prevention and nutrition under NPCDCS and Poshan Abhiyaan. Standardisation through NABH accreditation and IPHS norms ensures quality, while its cost-effectiveness makes it particularly relevant in expanding universal access. As the world turns towards sustainable and holistic models of healthcare, India’s Ayurveda story stands out as an example of how traditional knowledge can be harnessed for modern public health challenges.
With millions benefitting each year and its role expanding within the mainstream system, Ayurveda Day 2025 is being marked not just as a cultural celebration but as a testament to how time-tested science is shaping the future of healthcare in India. On this Ayurveda Day 2025, I urge every citizen to participate in this grand celebration of India’s timeless wisdom. Let us come together to make Ayurveda a true “People’s Movement for Wellness”. Your participation will not only strengthen Ayurveda’s role in public health but also inspire the world to adopt sustainable and holistic healthcare solutions. Together, let us make Ayurveda Day 2025 a landmark in India’s health journey-a celebration of wellness for people, and for the planet.