Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Announces 3 New All India Institutes of Ayurveda, Major Boost for AYUSH Sector
01-Feb-26 16:03:37

Budget 2026 Brings Major Expansion for Ayurveda and AYUSH

Presenting the Union Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a significant expansion of India’s traditional healthcare infrastructure by establishing three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda (AIIAs) across the country. The announcement marks a decisive step toward strengthening Ayurveda education, research, and clinical excellence under the AYUSH framework.

Alongside the new institutes, the Finance Minister also proposed upgrading AYUSH pharmacies and drug-testing laboratories to improve certification standards, medicine quality, and global acceptance of Ayurvedic products.

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What Did Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Announce?

In her Budget 2026 speech, Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the government’s commitment to building world-class institutions for traditional medicine. Key announcements included:

• Establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda

• Modernisation of AYUSH pharmacies

• Strengthening of medicine testing and certification labs

• Improving quality control for Ayurvedic medicines

These initiatives are intended to support India’s long-term vision of positioning Ayurveda as a credible, evidence-based, and globally trusted healthcare system.

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All India Institutes of Ayurveda: Centres of Excellence

The All India Institute of Ayurveda model is designed to function as a national centre of excellence, comparable to AIIMS in modern medicine but dedicated exclusively to Ayurveda. These institutes focus on:

• Advanced education for Ayurvedic doctors

• Clinical research and trials

• Training of vaidyas at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

• Integration of classical Ayurvedic knowledge with modern research tools

With three additional institutes, India significantly expands its capacity to train skilled Ayurvedic professionals.

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Why This Matters for Indian Vaidyas and Ayurvedic Doctors

For Indian vaidyas and Ayurvedic doctors, Budget 2026 represents a major policy-backed opportunity. The new institutes are expected to:

• Create academic and clinical employment opportunities

• Increase demand for trained Ayurveda faculty and researchers

• Support evidence-based Ayurvedic practice

• Strengthen institutional recognition of Ayurveda

This development also benefits students pursuing Ayurveda by offering improved access to national-level education and research facilities.

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AYUSH Pharmacy and Lab Upgrades: Strengthening Trust

Another key highlight of Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement was the upgradation of AYUSH pharmacies and drug testing laboratories. This move aims to:

• Ensure higher quality standards for Ayurvedic medicines

• Improve safety, consistency, and certification

• Support export readiness of AYUSH products

• Build international confidence in Indian Ayurveda

Robust testing infrastructure is critical for Ayurveda’s acceptance in regulated global markets.

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Aligning with India’s Global Ayurveda Vision

The Budget 2026 announcements align with the broader government strategy to promote Ayurveda internationally. Over recent years, India has focused on:

• Evidence-based Ayurveda

• Digital health integration

• Global AYUSH collaborations

• Research and documentation

The new All India Institutes of Ayurveda will act as knowledge hubs, supporting research, innovation, and international partnerships.

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Impact on Public Healthcare and Patients

From a public health perspective, expanding Ayurveda infrastructure helps:

• Improve access to qualified Ayurvedic doctors

• Strengthen preventive and wellness-based care

• Reduce long-term healthcare burden

• Integrate AYUSH systems into mainstream healthcare delivery

This supports the government’s vision of a holistic and inclusive healthcare system.

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Role of IndianVaidyas in the Growing Ayurveda Ecosystem

As institutional Ayurveda expands, access to accurate information and verified practitioners becomes essential. Platforms like IndianVaidyas play an important role by:

• Sharing authentic Ayurveda and AYUSH policy news

• Supporting visibility of qualified vaidyas

• Helping the community stay informed about national developments

Such platforms ensure that policy-level growth translates into awareness and opportunity for practitioners.

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Conclusion

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2026 announcement of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda marks a pivotal moment for India’s traditional medicine ecosystem. Combined with upgrades to AYUSH pharmacies and testing labs, the move reinforces Ayurveda’s role in education, research, public health, and global wellness.

For Indian vaidyas and Ayurvedic doctors, this budget signals long-term growth, increased institutional support, and stronger global credibility for Ayurveda.

Source: India Today
Context: Union Budget 2026 – AYUSH and Ayurveda announcements