India has long been recognized as the country of holistic healing, with traditional systems like Ayurveda and Yoga deeply rooted in its civilizational wisdom. Yet for decades, this ancient knowledge was sidelined by previous governments, treated as outdated rather than invaluable. That changed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, which restored pride and purpose to India’s traditional medical heritage. A defining moment came on 11th December 2014, when India made history at the United Nations General Assembly - with a record 177 countries co-sponsoring the resolution to declare 21st June as International Yoga Day. It wasn’t just global recognition of Yoga; it was India reclaiming its legacy and offering it to the world.

With a vision of reviving the profound knowledge of our ancient system of medicine & ensuring that this ancient knowledge is not lost over time. The central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, formed the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) in November 2014. The AYUSH ministry was established to integrate traditional Indian medicine with modern scientific research. Over the past 11 years, it has been doing exactly that. The National AYUSH mission (NAM) has released over Rs. 276.5 thousand lakhs in the past 5 years to support infrastructure development, supply of essential medicines & promotion of AYUSH systems.

Since its inception in 2014, the NAM has supported the establishment of 167 integrated AYUSH hospitals & upgraded more than 5,000 dispensaries while facilitating AYUSH services in over 2,300 Primary Health Centres. Additionally, over 12,000 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres have been made functional with plans to double this number by the end of 2025 ensuring accessible healthcare that is rooted in traditional systems.

The Rise of the AYUSH Industry

India is the birthplace of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy. PM Modi has often talked about India’s traditional medical practices in his Mann Ki Baat episodes. This has led to an increased awareness of India’s natural healthcare, which is in turn driving up the demand for AYUSH products. A vibrant network of practitioners, educational institutions & research centres is also key to keeping the AYUSH knowledge base alive & evolving.

The central government has also taken numerous initiatives in promoting AYUSH education and training, which aim to foster a skilled workforce that will meet industry standards. All of these efforts have yielded tangible results. NSSO conducted its first exclusive all-India survey on AYUSH in 2023, which revealed widespread adoption & awareness of Ayush. Approx. 95% of rural & 96% of urban respondents were aware of AYUSH, with 46% of rural & 53% of urban individuals using AYUSH for prevention or treatment. From this survey, Ayurveda emerged as the most commonly used system, showing its deep-rooted acceptance & usage across India.

The AYUSH industry was valued at US$24B in 2024 & is projected to reach US$200B in the coming years. India’s trade in AYUSH & herbal products exceeded US$625M in 2023, demonstrating the global appeal that India’s traditional healthcare system has. All of this development has been possible through the government's commitment to this sector, which is evident in the year-on-year increase in the overall budget. The Ministry of AYUSH has seen an increasing budget since 2014, standing at more than Rs. 3,992 crores in 2024-25.

Ayurveda’s Next Big Leap

In January 2025, while laying the foundation stone for the Central Ayurveda Research Institute in Delhi, PM Modi described it as “Ayurveda’s next big leap.” This state-of-the-art centre will combine traditional medical practices with state-of-the-art technology. Not just this, the government has set up AYUSH-ICMR centre for integrative health at 4 AIIMS (Delhi, Jodhpur, Nagpur & Rishikesh.

The AYUSH-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research, established at four AIIMS (Delhi, Jodhpur, Nagpur, and Rishikesh), is bridging the gap between AYUSH systems and conventional biomedicine. By leveraging modern technology, these centres aim to deliver evidence-based integrative healthcare to millions.

Global Outreach and the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre

In the past 11 years, India’s ancient knowledge systems have found a growing global footprint, with traditional medicine and yoga evolving into powerful instruments of international engagement. Under the robust guidance of PM Modi, what was once seen as local heritage is now a topic of discussion across the globe.

India’s AYUSH system has expanded to over 100 countries, driven by initiatives like the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in 2022. With India committing US$85 million over 10 years (2022–2032), the GTMC is a global knowledge hub for evidence-based Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM).

The International Yoga Day (IDY) celebrations have also amplified India’s soft power. IDY 2023, held in Jabalpur and at the UN Headquarters in New York, saw 23.44 crore participants and set two Guinness World Records, including the largest yoga session in Surat with 1.53 lakh participants. IDY 2024 in Srinagar, the initiative “Yoga for Space,” engaged 24.53 crore global participants, with a Guinness World Record set in Uttar Pradesh for a pledge by 25.93 lakh people. The Asia Book of World Records recognizes the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for a record-breaking yoga session by 1,946 healthcare professionals in 2024, with social media outreach reaching 456 million.

Together, these developments reflect a larger transformation. In the past 11 years, India is no longer just a custodian of traditional knowledge- it is a global catalyst for wellness. Whether through world-class institutions, international partnerships, or cultural movements like yoga, the country is redefining how traditional practices can contribute meaningfully to global health.

Medical and Wellness Tourism: The "Heal in India" Initiative

India’s Medical Value Travel (MVT) sector, valued at US$2.89 billion in 2020, is projected to reach US$13.42 billion by 2026, driven by high-quality, cost-effective treatments and the integration of AYUSH systems like Ayurveda and Yoga. The "Heal in India" initiative, in partnership with the private sector, aims to position India as a premier global healthcare destination. By leveraging world-class medical expertise, cutting-edge infrastructure, and traditional wellness systems, India is attracting international patients seeking holistic care.

The establishment of 111 AYUSH Wellness Centres/Units by December 2024 and the approval of 12,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush) further bolsters wellness tourism. These centers offer accessible, affordable, and authentic AYUSH treatments, attracting both domestic and international visitors.

Educational and Infrastructural Advancements

The integration of AYUSH knowledge systems into the educational curriculum through the National Education Policy (NEP) is fostering a new generation of practitioners and researchers. NAM has supported 16 new AYUSH educational institutions and upgraded 76 undergraduate and 36 postgraduate institutes, enhancing infrastructure, libraries, and research facilities. Additionally, 1,055 AYUSH Grams have been established to promote community-level adoption of AYUSH practices.

The government has also sanctioned 10 new government medical colleges, including Ayurvedic and Unani colleges in Ganderbal and a Homoeopathic college in Kathua.

Under PM Modi’s leadership, the AYUSH sector and medical tourism in India are undergoing a holistic transformation. The National AYUSH Mission, coupled with initiatives like the WHO GTMC, Heal in India, and National Ayush Mission, has elevated India’s traditional medicine systems to global prominence. With a rapidly growing industry, robust infrastructure, and international collaborations, India is preserving its ancient healthcare traditions while positioning itself as a global leader in integrative healthcare and wellness tourism. The synergy of tradition, innovation, and policy support is paving the way for a healthier, more connected world.