Politics · India Bureau
AYUSH sector sees rapid expansion as private colleges drive enrolment surge
India's traditional medicine education sector has grown substantially over the past three years, with the number of AYUSH colleges expanding by nearly a quarter and student admissions following suit. However, the expansion has been predominantly driven by non-government institutions.
LSN India ·
The number of colleges offering courses in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has climbed sharply from 789 in 2021 to 971 in 2024, representing an increase of approximately 23 percent, according to recent data. This expansion reflects growing recognition of traditional and alternative medicine systems within India's higher education landscape.
The surge in institutional capacity has translated into significantly higher enrolment figures. Total admissions across AYUSH colleges rose from 63,477 to 79,593 during the same three-year period, marking a near 25 percent jump in student intake. The growth underscores increasing demand for courses in traditional healing disciplines among Indian students.
Despite the overall expansion, the sector's development has been marked by a notable concentration of growth among private educational institutions. Non-government colleges have emerged as the primary drivers of this expansion, raising questions about accessibility and the role of government institutions in shaping the future of AYUSH education.
The rapid growth in both institutional numbers and student admissions suggests that AYUSH systems continue to gain traction as career choices for Indian students. However, education specialists note that the dominance of private providers may influence course fees, curriculum standards and equitable access to traditional medicine education across different socioeconomic backgrounds.