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Puducherry: The much-anticipated integrated MBBS-Ayurveda course at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) appears to be stalled, with responses to recent Right to Information (RTI) queries highlighting a lack of progress and transparency regarding the initiative. The revelations have sparked debate about decision-making processes and statutory oversight in India’s medical education policy.
Origins and Current Status
According to file notings from the Union Health Ministry, the proposal for the integrated MBBS-BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) course originated in January 2024 from the Auroville Foundation, an autonomous statutory body under the Government of India. Jayanti S Ravi, the Foundation’s Secretary, communicated to the Health Ministry that the organization, under the Ministry of HRD, sought to integrate Ayurveda and modern medicine for a holistic healthcare approach. A draft curriculum for dual degrees—MBBS and BAMS—was jointly developed by JIPMER and Ayurvedic universities, with ongoing discussions to finalize the methodologies for integrating the two streams.
Lack of Statutory Involvement and Transparency
The process, however, has raised concerns from health professionals and statutory bodies alike. Dr. KV Babu, a health activist who filed the RTIs, noted that the proposal emerged from external agencies rather than through statutory channels, leaving regulatory bodies uninformed about key details. JIPMER, when queried about its communications with the Union Health Ministry, Ministry of AYUSH, and National Medical Commission (NMC) regarding the plan, reported no available records, citing Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, 2005.
Statutory Body Meetings Not Held
The NMC Act, 2019 mandates at least one yearly joint meeting of the NMC, the Central Council of Homoeopathy, and the Central Council of Indian Medicine (now the National Commissions for Homeopathy and Indian System of Medicine) to foster cooperation and approve integrated educational programs. However, as revealed in an RTI response dated 26 June 2025, no such joint meetings occurred in 2024 or 2025. The planned 2024 meeting was postponed due to NCISM’s unavailability, and no future date has been set.
Dr. Babu raised questions about the legal basis for launching such an integrated course without statutory consultation, the exclusion of the NMC from the process, and the larger implications of mixing scientific and non-scientific disciplines without broad stakeholder engagement.
Community Response
The announcement of the JIPMER MBBS-BAMS initiative previously triggered widespread concern among medical professionals nationwide. Organizations like the Indian Medical Association (IMA) decried the proposal as “unscientific” and “unfortunate,” urging the government to reconsider what they described as a “regressive” move for public health.
“Mixing science with non-science seems to be taken at the political level in our country,” said Dr. Babu, summarizing the hesitations of many in the medical community.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information sourced from RTI responses and public statements as reported by Medical Dialogues. The information is accurate as of August 1, 2025. Any developments after this date are not reflected in this report. The article does not constitute legal or medical advice and is intended for informational purposes only.
