Kerala to set up independent AYUSH University, forms drafting committee
The Kerala government has initiated the process of establishing an independent AYUSH University, dedicated to coordinating education, research, clinical services and drug development in the State's traditional medicine systems. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) that a four-member committee has been constituted to prepare the draft legislation for the proposed institution.
Mr. Muraleedharan described the move as a historic step, saying that Kerala is creating a new academic framework for the AYUSH sector. The announcement was made through an official release from the Health Department.
The committee will be chaired by the Principal Secretary of the AYUSH department, with the State mission director of the National AYUSH Mission serving as convener. The other two members are the director of Ayurveda medical education and the principal and controlling officer of the Government Homoeopathic Medical College.
The panel has been asked to examine the existing functioning of AYUSH educational institutions across the State. This includes a detailed review of their organisational structure, academic infrastructure, research projects and administrative framework. Based on its findings, the committee will draft the Bill for the proposed university. The draft is expected to be submitted within two months.
The proposed university will be based at the School of Fundamental Research in Ayurveda in Tripunithura. It will bring all AYUSH educational institutions, which currently fall under the Kerala University of Health Sciences, under a single umbrella. The objective is to strengthen education, research and comprehensive academic collaboration in the AYUSH fields.
AYUSH is an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. These systems have a long-standing presence in India, and Kerala is particularly well known for its Ayurvedic traditions. The central government's National AYUSH Mission supports the propagation and development of these systems through financial and policy assistance.
The Kerala government has stated that the proposed university will help raise academic standards in Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Unani and other AYUSH systems. It will also expand research opportunities and develop academic programmes that are in line with international standards.
Mr. Muraleedharan said that once the university is established, there will be significant improvements in AYUSH education, research, clinical studies and drug development. He expressed confidence that this would help Kerala's traditional systems of medicine gain wider national and international acceptance.
At present, AYUSH institutions in Kerala function under the Kerala University of Health Sciences, which oversees a wide range of health education programmes. A separate university would provide dedicated academic governance, enabling focused curriculum design, resource allocation and research coordination for traditional medicine.
The creation of a dedicated AYUSH university could give the sector a distinct identity and facilitate more targeted development. It may also encourage joint research between different AYUSH systems and modern medical sciences, potentially leading to evidence-based integration of traditional practices in healthcare.
The formation of the drafting committee is the first formal step towards this initiative. Once the draft Bill is prepared, it will be examined by the State government, which will decide on further legislative procedures. The establishment of the university, if approved, could take some time as it requires passage through the legislature and subsequent administrative setup.
