Ayurveda's growing global appeal as a holistic and preventive system of medicine presents India with a significant opportunity to establish it as a mainstream component of international healthcare.
However, fragmented regulation, limited scientific validation and inconsistent quality standards continue to impede its wider acceptance, according to a strategic roadmap prepared on the globalisation of Ayurveda, according to a report “Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global” released recently by the government.
The 136-page report presents a comprehensive assessment of Ayurveda's global footprint and outlines a phased roadmap for making Ayurveda global.
The report, based on stakeholder consultations and secondary research, presents a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of Ayurveda and argues that while the traditional system is well aligned with global trends favouring wellness and preventive healthcare, sustained policy interventions will be necessary for it to compete with other established traditional medical systems.
The analysis also noted that Ayurveda's greatest strength lies in its holistic approach, which emphasises disease prevention and the maintenance of health rather than treatment alone.
Another distinguishing feature is its personalised approach to treatment. Unlike conventional one-size-fits-all therapies, Ayurveda tailors treatment according to an individual's Prakriti or body constitution. The report said this resonates with the global shift towards personalised medicine, where therapies are increasingly customised to individual needs.
Ayurveda's reliance on herbal medicines, dietary interventions and lifestyle modifications also positions it well in an era of increasing demand for natural, plant-based and environmentally sustainable healthcare solutions.
The report further highlighted Ayurveda's 5,000-year-old heritage as a major advantage. Its long history of use, growing body of scientific research and recognition within the World Health Organization's Traditional Medicine Strategy and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) have enhanced its international credibility.
The worldwide popularity of yoga has also opened new avenues for Ayurveda's expansion through wellness tourism, health retreats and integrative healthcare programmes, the document said.
It further pointed to Ayurveda's potential to complement modern medicine, particularly in managing chronic diseases, rehabilitation, stress-related disorders and preventive healthcare. Collaborative research at several leading Indian medical institutions has already begun exploring such integrative models.
Despite these strengths, the report, which was released by Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, at an event recently in the national capital, has identified several structural barriers that continue to restrict Ayurveda's international growth.
One of the most significant challenges is the lack of formal recognition of Ayurveda as an independent system of medicine in many countries. In several jurisdictions, Ayurvedic products are regulated merely as dietary supplements or herbal products rather than therapeutic medicines, limiting practitioners' scope of practice and restricting insurance coverage.
The absence of a harmonised global regulatory framework further complicates international expansion. Different countries classify Ayurvedic products under different regulatory categories, resulting in varying approval requirements, higher compliance costs and slower market access.
The report has also identified gaps in education and workforce development. Outside India, the number of trained Ayurvedic practitioners remains limited, while recognition of professional qualifications varies considerably, noted the document.
Stakeholders also called for globally orientated curricula, stronger clinical training and standardised certification systems to improve international acceptance.
A recurring concern is the shortage of scientific evidence generated in formats widely accepted by global regulators and medical journals, as per the report.
It further pointed out that conventional randomised controlled trials are not always suitable for evaluating personalised Ayurvedic therapies or multi-herbal formulations. “At the same time, inadequate documentation, inconsistent terminology and limited publication in high-impact journals have reduced Ayurveda's visibility within mainstream scientific literature.”
Regulatory hurdles pose another major challenge. Manufacturers often face difficulties in obtaining approvals for complex polyherbal formulations because of stringent international requirements relating to quality standards, contaminant testing and clinical evidence, said the report. The high cost of conducting clinical trials has also discouraged many companies from pursuing registration as medicines, prompting them instead to market products as nutraceuticals or dietary supplements.
Quality assurance remains another area requiring attention. Variations in raw materials, inconsistent manufacturing practices and concerns over contaminants have affected consumer confidence in some international markets. The report has called for stronger standardisation, improved Good Manufacturing Practices and more robust quality certification mechanisms.
The study undertaken by the Health Division of NITI Aayog in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) talks in detail about the government initiatives such as Ayush Academic Chairs, scholarships, international exchange programmes and the Ayush Visa that it said have already created new avenues for international collaboration. Strengthening partnerships with the World Health Organization, particularly through the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar, could further enhance global credibility through standardised terminology, training benchmarks and pharmacovigilance systems.
Quality accreditation through the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) is also emerging as an important trust-building mechanism. Internationally recognised accreditation, coupled with transparent reporting of clinical outcomes, could strengthen confidence among patients, insurers and healthcare providers.
The report also highlighted opportunities arising from the expanding global wellness market, including preventive healthcare, stress management, nutrition and functional foods.
Medical value travel is another promising area. Standardised treatment protocols, accredited hospitals and follow-up care through telemedicine could position India as a preferred destination for integrative healthcare.
However, the report has cautioned that Ayurveda also faces several emerging threats. One concern is the fragmented nature of the sector, with researchers, practitioners, academic institutions and industry often working independently. Better coordination, shared research priorities and collaborative funding mechanisms are needed to accelerate global acceptance, it added.
The report also warned against reducing Ayurveda to a collection of herbal supplements for short-term commercial gains. While marketing products as nutraceuticals may simplify regulatory approval, it risks undermining Ayurveda's identity as a comprehensive medical system.
Competition from other traditional medical systems, particularly Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), presents another challenge. Backed by sustained government investment, structured research and international regulatory engagement, TCM has already secured formal recognition in several countries and is integrated into insurance systems, giving it a significant first-mover advantage.
The report concluded that Ayurveda's long-term success will depend on balancing its classical principles with modern scientific and regulatory expectations. Standardisation should strengthen patient safety and quality without compromising Ayurveda's personalised treatment philosophy. Achieving this balance, said the report, will be critical if Ayurveda is to establish itself as a globally accepted healthcare system rather than remaining confined to the wellness sector.
During the launch of the report, Lahiri noted that the globalisation of Ayurveda presents a unique opportunity to establish India as a global leader in traditional medicine while unlocking substantial economic value, creating employment, strengthening exports, and reinforcing India's cultural and knowledge-based soft power.
He emphasised that realising this vision would require a whole-of-government approach to ensure coordinated and time-bound implementation.
Prof. (Dr.) M. Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog, who was also present at the meeting, emphasised that the globalisation of Ayurveda is not merely about expanding markets or increasing exports. “At its core, it is about improving health outcomes and offering people across the world additional evidence-based options for achieving healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Union Ayush Ministry, highlighted the major initiatives undertaken by the ministry to promote the global acceptance of Ayurveda and the substantial progress achieved during the past decade. He stated that the report's recommendations would complement the ministry's efforts and provide renewed momentum for establishing Ayurveda as a globally recognised system of healthcare.
Acquino Vimal, Additional Secretary (UNES), Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted the progress made in advancing the globalisation of Ayurveda through India's international engagements and partnerships.
