Relevance: GS-2 (Health, Governance), GS-3 (Science–Tech, Biodiversity); Sources: WHO, Ministry of AYUSH

Key Takeaways

  • India hosts one of the world’s largest traditional medicine ecosystems with global recognition.
  • WHO Summit reinforces India’s role in setting global norms on evidence-based traditional medicine.
  • Platforms like TMGL and TKDL boost research, regulation and IP protection.
  • Traditional systems support preventive, affordable and culturally grounded healthcare.

Context

India will host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine (2025), showcasing its leadership in integrating traditional systems with modern healthcare, aligned with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.

India’s Traditional Medicine Ecosystem

India’s pluralistic healthcare system includes Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy, governed by the Ministry of AYUSH.

Institutional Strength

  • 3,844 AYUSH hospitals and 36,848 dispensaries; 7.5 lakh+ practitioners.
  • AYUSH integration with PHCs, CHCs, District Hospitals through National AYUSH Mission (NAM).
  • Strong education base with AYUSH universities, research institutes & pharmacopoeia bodies.

Community & Preventive Orientation

Emphasises holistic, low-cost, preventive care—important for NCDs, mental health, lifestyle diseases and ageing populations.

Key Government Initiatives

  • National Ayush Mission: Infrastructure + service integration + training.
  • Ayurswasthya Yojana: Centres of Excellence & public health programmes.
  • Ayurgyan: Research, innovation & scientific validation.
  • Medicinal Plants Scheme: Conservation + livelihood support for tribal collectors.
  • TKDL (Traditional Knowledge Digital Library): Prevents biopiracy; supports IP protection.
  • Ayush Grid: Digitisation of AYUSH health records & service delivery.
  • Medical Value Travel: Expanding global footprint of AYUSH hospitals & wellness tourism.

WHO’s Global Engagement

The Summit will launch:

  • Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL) → 1.5 million+ digitised records.
  • Global Research Roadmap and regulatory & safety frameworks.
  • Tools for biodiversity protection, evidence mapping, and One Health integration.

Policy Linkages

  • Supports Universal Health Coverage, primary healthcare, SDG-3, biodiversity conservation, and Global Health Diplomacy.
  • Complements National Digital Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, and WHO’s evidence-based integration push.

Conclusion

India is shaping the global future of traditional medicine by bridging heritage, scientific evidence, digital innovation, and sustainability.

UPSC Value Box 

Why this matters:

  • Strengthens health equity, low-cost care and rural access.
  • Supports biodiversity protection, traditional livelihoods and soft power diplomacy.

Analytical Insight: Traditional medicine offers preventive, culturally rooted care but faces challenges of scientific validation, regulation and quality assurance.

Way Forward:Strengthen research funding, integrate digital tools (Ayush Grid), standardise drugs, and expand global partnerships via WHO frameworks.

Q. “Examine how India’s traditional medicine systems can strengthen universal health coverage and contribute to global health diplomacy.”

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