Glossary term · Wellness
AYUSH (also: Ayush, Ministry of Ayush): AYUSH is the collective term for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy, overseen by India’s Ministry of Ayush.
AYUSH is the umbrella name for India’s traditional and complementary systems of medicine: Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy. The Ministry of Ayush was formed on 9 November 2014 to develop these systems. For international visitors the name matters mainly because of the Ayush visa and Ayush wellness programmes.
What does the Ministry of Ayush do?
The Ministry of Ayush says its purpose is to ensure the optimal propagation and development of Ayush systems of health care. It lists the systems it covers as Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy and Sowa Rigpa. Practitioners of these systems are regulated through national commissions. PIB names the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine and the National Commission for Homoeopathy.
What is the Ayush visa?
The Ministry of Home Affairs added a new Ayush visa category to the Visa Manual in 2023. PIB says it was introduced on 27 July 2023 for foreigners whose sole purpose is treatment through Ayush systems. That includes therapeutic care, wellness and yoga. It has four sub-categories:
- Ayush Visa (AY-1).
- Ayush Attendant Visa (AY-2).
- e-Ayush Visa.
- e-Ayush Attendant Visa.
PIB says treatment should be at a hospital or wellness centre accredited and registered with a government authority. It names NABH as one accrediting body.
How does AYUSH fit with conventional treatment?
Some visitors combine a medical procedure with an Ayush wellness programme. If you are also having conventional treatment, your treating specialist must agree to any Ayush therapy first. That matters most around surgery, anaesthesia and blood-thinning medicines.
Our approach
IndiaMedica presents Ayush therapies as supportive wellness only. They do not replace medical treatment.
Questions people ask
Should I use an Ayush visa or a medical visa?
Use the visa that matches the main purpose of your trip. PIB says the Ayush visa is for foreigners whose sole purpose is treatment through Ayush systems. For hospital treatment such as surgery, the medical visa route applies. Check the official visa portal for current rules.
Is yoga part of AYUSH?
Yes. Yoga and Naturopathy are one of the systems under the Ministry of Ayush. PIB lists yoga among the purposes covered by the Ayush visa, together with therapeutic care and wellness.
Sources
- Ministry of Ayush, Ayush Next: About us
- PIB: Ayush Visa for foreigners (Dec 2024)
- PIB: New Ayush visa category (Aug 2023)
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.