ISSN: 2578-4986
Authors: Kembhavi A* and Kembhavi AK
Throughout the ages, Ayurveda was taught in the “gurukula†system of education and was an oral tradition where the “shlokas†or verses were passed on to the generation of students along with the applied aspects in clinical practice. It was during the early part of the 20th century concerted efforts were made to revive traditional Ayurveda system. Many committees were set up by the Government of India to investigate various aspects of Ayurveda and its education across India and the recommendations of a couple of these committees were not altogether supportive of Ayurveda as such. Many types of council were established but the educational system could not be standardised and the syllabus that we have today seems based on the modern medical system rather than concentrating on the core philosophy and practice of Ayurveda. Ayurveda today has become a multi-billion-dollar industry with the entire world wanting a share of the pie of it’s: health and wellbeing sector, the herbal medicine sector, the spa and resort sector, medical tourism sector and the education sector. Education in Ayurveda is caught at the cross roads of increasing global demand and declining local standards. It is high time that the regulatory bodies and all the stakeholders take serious note of this and intensify their efforts to standardize the education in Ayurveda failing which the science will be brought into disrepute and hijacked by vested interests who will then stake claim on the ownership of Ayurveda. This paper discusses the challenges and roadblocks faced at the entry level, undergraduate level, the curriculum and the regulatory bodies in the present scenario in India and propose certain solutions for the same.
Keywords: Ayurveda; Education; Central Council of Indian Medicine; AYUSH; The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
