Scheme Name: National Ayush Mission (NAM)
1. Nodal Ministry & Department
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- Ministry: Ministry of Ayush.
- Department: Department of Ayush.
2. Context
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- Launch: September 2014.
- Rationale: To provide cost-effective Ayush services (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) and to strengthen the Ayush educational system.
- 2026 Update: The Union Budget 2026-27 focused on the “Saturation” of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs), now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush), to achieve universal primary healthcare.
3. Objectives
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- To provide cost-effective Ayush services with universal access.
- To strengthen institutional capacity at the State level.
- To promote “Integrative Medicine” by co-locating Ayush facilities at District Hospitals and CHCs.
- To support the cultivation of medicinal plants.
4. Type of Scheme
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- Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
- Funding Pattern: 60:40 (Center:State) for General States; 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States; 100% for UTs without legislature.
5. Target Beneficiaries
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- General public (access to affordable medicine).
- Ayush students and practitioners.
- Farmers involved in the cultivation of medicinal plants.
6. Eligibility Criteria
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- States/UTs must submit an Annual State Action Plan (SAAP) to the Ministry of Ayush for fund release.
- Facilities must follow NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals) standards for Ayush.
7. Key Features/Provisions
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- Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush): Upgradation of existing dispensaries and sub-centers into wellness centers focused on preventive care.
- Co-location: Establishing Ayush wings in District Hospitals (DHs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
- Medicinal Plants Component: Financial assistance for cultivation, nurseries, and post-harvest management (warehouses/marketing).
- Drug Quality Control: Strengthening of State Government Spurious Drug Control mechanisms and Ayush pharmacies.
8. Budgetary Allocation & Performance (Updated March 2026)
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- Allocation: Union Budget 2026-27 saw a 12% increase in the allocation for NAM to support the “Heal in India” initiative (Medical Value Travel).
- Performance: Over 12,500 Ayush Wellness Centres have been operationalized as of early 2026.
- Digital Integration: Launch of the Ayush Grid, an IT backbone connecting all Ayush hospitals and laboratories.
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