The National Commission for Indian System of

Medicine (NCISM), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, had undertaken a

landmark national research study titled “Evaluation of Professional Career of

Ayurveda Female Graduates – An Observational Exploratory Study.” The report of

the research was recently unveiled by President of India Droupadi Murmu.

The study was conducted under the leadership of Dr

Maneesha Upendra Kothekar, Chairperson, NCISM, with the guidance of eminent

academicians, administrators, researchers and experts associated with the

Indian Systems of Medicine. The publication is the first comprehensive

national-level study exclusively devoted to understanding the professional

status, career progression, opportunities, challenges, aspirations and societal

realities of women Ayurveda graduates in India. The study assumes special

significance in the context of the Government of India and is commitment to ‘Nari

Shakti’, Women-led Development, Healthcare Human Resource Development,

Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Background

and Rationale

In recent decades, India has witnessed a remarkable

increase in the participation of women in higher education and healthcare

professions. Ayurveda education has experienced a similar transformation. Data

available with NCISM reveal that female enrolment in Ayurveda undergraduate

programmes has consistently surpassed male enrolment in recent academic

sessions. In the academic session 2022-23, the male- female ratio in Ayurveda

undergraduate admissions was approximately 0.73:1, which improved to 0.71:1 in

2023-24.

However, despite the increasing number of women

entering Ayurveda education, corresponding representation in professional

practice, teaching, administration, research, entrepreneurship and leadership

positions remains comparatively low. This divergence between educational

participation and professional engagement raised important policy questions:

* What happens to female Ayurveda graduates after

graduation? What social, economic, educational and institutional factors

influence their professional careers? What barriers prevent many women from

continuing professional practice? What interventions can help improve women and

participation in Ayurveda and healthcare delivery? To answer these questions

through evidence-based research, NCISM initiated this nationwide study.

Importance of the Subject

Women constitute one of the most valuable components

of India’s healthcare workforce. An Ayurveda graduate represents years of

educational investment, institutional resources, faculty effort and national expenditure.

When qualified women professionals are unable to fully participate in

healthcare delivery, teaching, research or entrepreneurship, the nation loses a

significant portion of its trained human capital.

The importance of this study extends beyond

Ayurveda. It addresses larger national concerns relating to Women’s

empowerment. Professional participation of women. Healthcare workforce development.

Skill utilization. Gender equity. Medical education reforms. Economic productivity.

Leadership development. The findings therefore possess relevance not only for

Ayurveda institutions but also for policymakers, regulators, universities, professional

bodies and government agencies.

Scope and Scale of the Study

The study is among the largest surveys ever

conducted in the Ayurveda education sector.

Coverage of Female Graduates

* 5,328 female Ayurveda graduates surveyed.

Graduates belonging to 159 Ayurveda colleges across India. Coverage of

graduates from academic sessions spanning approximately twenty years.

Respondents representing diverse geographical, cultural and socio-economic

backgrounds. Geographical Representation The study covered participants from:

* Northern India Southern India Western India

Central India Eastern India

Additional

Components

To obtain a holistic understanding of the issue, the

study also included: Focussed Group Discussions

* 20 Focussed Group Discussions conducted.309

final-year students and interns participated. These discussions explored:

* Motivation for entering Ayurveda. Professional

aspirations. Institutional support requirements. Gender-related concerns.

Career expectations. Personal Interviews – 20 Principals/Heads of Institutions

were interviewed with following coverage.

* Institutional experiences. Challenges in mentoring

female students. Professional preparedness. Career support mechanisms.5.

Methodology. The study adopted a scientifically structured methodology

combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Key features include:

* Structured online survey. Personal interviews.

Focussed Group Discussions. Statistical analysis. Cross-tabulation and

interpretation. Multi-stage validation process. National-level coordination

involving institutions across India. The study was conducted over multiple

phases, including planning, pilot testing, ethical clearance, data collection, training

of coordinators, data processing and report preparation. This rigorous methodology

lends credibility and reliability to the findings.

Key

Findings

The study generated several important findings of

policy relevance.

Growing Female Participation - Women now constitute

a major segment of Ayurveda students and represent a rapidly expanding

component of the future healthcare workforce.

Professional Discontinuity - A considerable number

of women either do not enter active professional practice or discontinue their

careers after marriage or childbirth.

Social and Family Influences - Family expectations,

marriage-related responsibilities, childcare obligations and societal

perceptions significantly influence career decisions.

Preference for Stable Employment - Many women prefer

salaried positions due to perceived security, work-life balance and social

considerations.

Limited Leadership Representation - Despite

substantial educational achievements, women remain underrepresented in

leadership, policy-making, administration and entrepreneurship.

Need for Mentorship - Participants expressed a

strong need for:

Career guidance. Mentorship. Leadership training.

Networking opportunities.

Professional counselling. Untapped Potential - The

study highlights substantial opportunities for women in:

Clinical

practice. Teaching. Research. Public health. Preventive healthcare. Digital health.

Start-ups and entrepreneurship. Wellness tourism. Integrative medicine.

Major Recommendations - The report

recommends several actionable measures:

Educational Reforms

* Career orientation programmes. Entrepreneurship

training. Leadership development modules. Professional counselling mechanisms.

Institutional Support

* Mentorship systems. Alumni networking platforms.

Career guidance cells. Women support programmes. Capacity Building

* Skill enhancement initiatives. Continuing professional

education. Research promotion programmes. Policy Interventions

* Encouraging women entrepreneurship. Strengthening

workplace support systems.

Promoting women leadership in Ayurveda institutions.

Creating opportunities for flexible professional engagement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar