As Yoga and Ayurveda become part of India’s global health diplomacy, experts press for credible standards

International Relations & Health Policy · 8 September 2026 · Based on The Hindu (original report)

Worth reading — 1 past UPSC question on this theme (Mains GS-2 2018).

2-minute summary

India is strategically positioning AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy) as a key pillar of its global health diplomacy and trade negotiations. Recent trade pacts, such as the India-EU FTA, India-Oman CEPA, and India-New Zealand FTA, feature dedicated provisions for traditional medicine, practitioner mobility, and wellness centers. However, experts caution that translating this market access into sustained international demand requires addressing critical structural gaps. These include establishing credible scientific evidence, robust quality standards, standardized practitioner licensing, and strict patient safety regulations to align with highly regulated global healthcare markets. While initiatives like the Ayush Visa (introduced in 2023) and international fellowships have boosted medical tourism and educational exchange, the lack of segregated, reliable data on AYUSH-specific foreign arrivals limits targeted policy formulation.

Why it's in the news

India has integrated dedicated traditional medicine and AYUSH provisions into recent trade agreements with Oman, New Zealand, and the European Union (EU) in 2026. This marks a shift from viewing AYUSH purely as a cultural export to leveraging it as a formalized health services and diplomatic tool.

Facts to remember

• India integrated dedicated traditional medicine and AYUSH provisions into trade agreements with Oman, New Zealand, and the EU in 2026.
• The Government of India established the independent Ministry of AYUSH in 2014 to systematically develop traditional medicine systems.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) established the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in 2022.
• The Ayush Visa Scheme was introduced in 2023 to facilitate medical value travel for foreign nationals seeking traditional Indian medical treatments.

Background and context

Traditional medicine systems in India, collectively categorized under AYUSH, have historically been viewed as alternative or complementary medicine. In 2014, the Government of India established the independent Ministry of AYUSH to systematically develop these systems. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in 2022, highlighting India's leadership. Despite growing domestic popularity and cultural footprint (e.g., International Day of Yoga), AYUSH exports and clinical practice abroad have faced barriers due to the lack of standardized clinical trials, scientific validation, and regulatory harmonisation with Western medical frameworks. The integration of AYUSH into modern Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) represents a structured attempt to overcome these regulatory barriers.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 47 — Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) mandate the State to regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties.
• Article 51(c) — Directs the State to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, which underpins India's active health diplomacy and bilateral trade agreements.

Committees and reports

• WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine — Highlighted the global demand for traditional medicine and emphasized the need for national regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, quality, and effectiveness.

Government schemes

• Ayush Visa Scheme — Introduced in 2023 to facilitate medical value travel for foreign nationals seeking traditional Indian medical treatments, therapy, and wellness.
• Ayush Fellowship Scheme — Provides financial assistance and scholarships to eligible foreign nationals to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. courses in AYUSH systems in premier Indian institutions.

International organisations

• World Health Organization (WHO) — Collaborates with India through the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar to build a solid evidence base for traditional medicine policies and standards.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

• Mains GS-2 2018 — Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve 'Health for All' in India. Explain.

Mains practice: Evaluate the role of AYUSH in India's soft power diplomacy. What are the key regulatory and scientific challenges that India must address to globalize its traditional medicine systems?

India's traditional medicine systems (AYUSH) have transitioned from cultural exports to strategic instruments of global health diplomacy. By integrating AYUSH into bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with partners like the EU, Oman, and New Zealand, India is leveraging its rich heritage to boost medical tourism, service exports, and soft power.

• **Role in Soft Power and Diplomacy**:

- **Cultural Integration**: Initiatives like the International Day of Yoga and the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Gujarat project India as a global wellness hub.

- **Trade and Mobility**: Recent FTAs secure dedicated visa quotas for practitioners and allow recognition of qualifications (e.g., India-EU FTA), facilitating professional mobility.

- **Medical Value Travel**: The introduction of the Ayush Visa (2023) has streamlined entry for international patients seeking holistic healthcare, boosting service-sector earnings.

• **Key Regulatory and Scientific Challenges**:

- **Lack of Standardization**: Discrepancies in quality control, heavy metal contamination concerns, and non-standardized manufacturing processes hinder global market entry.

- **Evidence-Based Validation**: Western regulatory bodies require rigorous clinical trials and scientific evidence of efficacy, which traditional holistic systems often struggle to demonstrate in conventional pharmacological formats.

- **Data Deficits**: The absence of segregated, reliable data on AYUSH-specific foreign arrivals limits targeted policy formulation.

- **Regulatory Harmonization**: Divergent global standards for dietary supplements versus prescription drugs lead to AYUSH products being classified merely as wellness supplements rather than therapeutic medicines.

In conclusion, to truly globalize AYUSH, India must bridge the gap between tradition and modern science. Establishing robust, evidence-based clinical protocols, strengthening pharmacovigilance, and collaborating on international regulatory standards will ensure AYUSH becomes a credible, globally accepted healthcare alternative.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. With reference to the 'Ayush Visa' scheme, consider the following statements: 1. It was introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs to promote medical value travel in India. 2. It is exclusively meant for foreign nationals seeking treatment under Ayurveda, and does not cover other systems like Unani or Homoeopathy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A. Statement 1 is correct as the Ayush Visa was introduced in 2023 by the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate medical value travel. Statement 2 is incorrect because the visa covers all traditional Indian systems of medicine under the AYUSH umbrella, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.

Q2. Consider the following trade agreements signed/operationalised by India: 1. India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) 2. India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 3. India-European Union (EU) FTA Which of the agreements listed above contain specific provisions or dedicated pathways for the mobility of AYUSH practitioners and traditional medicine?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D. According to recent trade diplomacy developments, all three agreements contain specific provisions for traditional medicine. The India-Oman CEPA contains comprehensive commitments on traditional medicine; the India-New Zealand FTA has a dedicated annex with a visa quota; and the India-EU FTA allows AYUSH practitioners to use Indian qualifications in EU countries where no regulatory framework exists.

Q3. The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM), the first and only global outposted centre for traditional medicine, is located in which city of India?

1. Rishikesh
2. Bengaluru
3. Pune
4. Jamnagar

Answer: D. The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) is established in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, to harness the potential of traditional medicine from across the world through modern science and technology.

Revision flashcards

• What is the primary objective of the 'Ayush Visa' introduced in 2023? To facilitate medical value travel to India for foreign nationals seeking treatment under traditional Indian medicine systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, and Siddha.
• Which Indian state hosts the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM)? Gujarat (specifically Jamnagar).
• Under which trade agreement signed in January 2026 can AYUSH practitioners use their Indian qualifications in member countries lacking a regulatory framework? The India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• What are the seven systems of medicine covered under the AYUSH umbrella? Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.
• Which constitutional directive principle (DPSP) mandates the state to improve public health? Article 47 of the Constitution of India.