Start PhD programmes for AYUSH disciplines: UGC to varsities

New Delhi : The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked central universities to start PhD programmes under Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) disciplines.

The UGC also said Central Councils set up for research in these disciplines will sponsor 200 students for pursuing PhDs every year.

In a letter to all Central Universities, UGC secretary Jaspal S Sandhu has said the government has asked the Commission to issue an advisory in this regard.

"AYUSH is aimed at developing Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) systems for healthcare of the people imbibing scientific interventions.

The Ministry is committed to encourage research in AYUSH systems for which five autonomous research organisations have been set up," the UGC letter says.

It says that for each of these five disciplines a Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Homoeopathy, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani Medicine and Siddha conduct clinical and basic research studies in collaboration with reputed scientific institutes.

These Councils further desire to enhance research opportunities through PhD fellowship programme for the development of AYUSH, the UGC letter said.

It is intended to sponsor annually 200 candidates (125 PG of AYUSH and 75 PG of Science & technology streams) for pursuing Ph.D on AYUSH research topics, it added.

"Accordingly, it is requested that you may include AYUSH disciplines in your esteemed university and in the affiliated colleges for enrollment of candidates in the PhD programmes and avail fellowship from the concerned AYUSH Research Council," the UGC said.