National Commission for Indian System of Medicine

The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine is the statutory regulator for education and professional practice in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa. It was established under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020 to improve educational quality, professional standards, ethics and institutional accountability in these systems.

Core statutory mandate

The Commission must create a regulatory system that ensures sufficient and high-quality professionals, promotes equitable and universal healthcare, and makes services accessible and affordable. Its mandate also covers medical education, training and research in the Indian systems of medicine.

• It lays down policies and standards for institutions, courses, faculty, infrastructure and professional conduct.
• It provides for objective and periodic assessment of medical institutions through a transparent regulatory framework.
• It facilitates coordination among the Commission, its autonomous boards and State Medical Councils.

Regulatory structure

The Act assigns specialised functions to four autonomous boards under the Commission, while the Commission frames policy, coordinates their work and exercises appellate authority over specified board decisions.

• The Board of Ayurveda regulates education in Ayurveda.
• The Board of Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa regulates education in these three systems.
• The Medical Assessment and Rating Board assesses institutions and grants permissions for courses, seats and new establishments as provided by the Act.
• The Ethics and Medical Registration Board regulates professional conduct and maintains the National Register.

Education, registration and accountability

The statutory framework links recognised qualifications, licensing, registration and ethical practice. It provides common national mechanisms such as the National Exit Test for licensing and enrolment, and enables action against institutions or practitioners that fail to meet prescribed standards.

• Only persons meeting statutory qualification and registration requirements may practise as recognised medical practitioners.
• The Commission may issue guidelines for determining fees and other charges for 50 per cent of seats in private institutions and deemed universities governed by the Act.