Budget and Infrastructure of AYUSH: An Analysis of Strengths and Pitfalls

Abstract

Budget allocation for the AYUSH ministry seen 20 per cent rise, from Rs 3,671.82 crore in FY 2025-26 to Rs 4,408.93 crore in FY 2026-27, prioritizing the evidence-based research, infrastructure expansion, and standardization of traditional medicine. Key steps include establishing three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda to expand research. Among the Centrally sponsored schemes, the allocation for the National AYUSH Mission has been raised from Rs 780.96 crore in FY 2025-26 to Rs 1,300 crore in FY 2026-27, marking 66.5 per cent hike. The AYUSH budget is equal to the budget of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The current ICMR budget is 27% increase compared to the previous year. This shows the discrimination and injustice to AYUSH, as the budget allocated is very small. The allocation for the All India Institute of Ayurveda has been decreased by 12 per cent. Funding for the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda is declined from 279.24 crore to 219.05 crore. Its high time for all the stakeholders of Ayurveda to force the PMO and Finance ministry to increase the funds for AYUSH ministry. At the same time it’s the need of hour for AYUSH to frame new research policy and create infrastructure for conducting high quality research in India and abroad.