Strong Opposition to the Proposed MBBS–BAMS Integration — Safeguard the Integrity of India
Strong Opposition to the Proposed MBBS–BAMS Integration — Safeguard the Integrity of India
The Issue
Respected Sir/Madam,
We, the undersigned — practitioners, teachers, students, and stakeholders of Ayurveda and modern medicine — write to you with deep concern regarding the recently proposed policy of integrating Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) curricula.
The recent media reports and expert debates have highlighted that this integration plan, if implemented, may do irreparable harm to the very identity, standards, and credibility of both the modern biomedical system and the traditional Indian knowledge system — Ayurveda.
1. Violation of the Basic Structure of Ayurveda and Modern Medicine
Ayurveda and Allopathy are fundamentally different in philosophy, epistemology, diagnostic approach, treatment logic, and practice model:
Ayurveda is based on holistic principles, Tridosha theory, Prakriti-based diagnosis, and individualized care.
Modern medicine is rooted in reductionist biomedicine, standardized evidence-based protocols, and advanced technological interventions.
A forced merger dilutes the purity and rigor of both systems and risks creating a generation of half-trained practitioners.
2. Threat to Professional Standards and Patient Safety
Modern medicine requires deep knowledge of advanced physiology, surgery, and pharmacology supported by clinical exposure to life-threatening emergencies.
Ayurveda demands mastery of its own classics, Sanskrit, ancient diagnostics, Rasashastra, Panchakarma, and principles of Dosha-Dhatu-Mala.
A blended syllabus will only produce superficial knowledge, putting public health and patient safety at grave risk.
3. Global and Legal Precedent
No developed country with pluralistic medicine has integrated fundamentally different systems into a single undergraduate course.
Even India’s own legal framework under CCIM (NCISM) and NMC recognizes these as distinct professional degrees governed by separate regulatory bodies.
This integration proposal contradicts the spirit of the National Medical Commission Act and the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act.
4. Disrespect to Heritage and Knowledge Systems
Ayurveda is India’s proud intangible heritage, with millennia-old textual traditions like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya.
Superimposing Western medical modules risks marginalizing core Ayurvedic content, harming its identity as a complete independent science.
5. Massive Practical Challenges
Lack of trained faculty competent in both systems.
Mismatch of syllabi duration and depth.
Disruption of existing institutional structures.
No clarity on licensing, internship, or postgraduate specialization pathways for blended graduates.
6. Risk of Commercial Misuse and Quackery
Such an ambiguous degree could increase the risk of unqualified practice under the guise of dual competence, worsening quackery and crosspathy issues already plaguing the Indian health system.
7. Students’ Right to Choose a Clear Path
Thousands of students choose Ayurveda out of passion and belief in its holistic model. Forcing modern medicine modules beyond reasonable exposure distorts their chosen career path.
8. Alternative and Constructive Suggestions
We fully support collaborative, evidence-based integration through:
Structured bridge courses at the postgraduate or CME level.
Interdisciplinary referrals, co-located hospitals, dual-consult models.
Research-based collaborative protocols (e.g., Ayurveda for non-communicable diseases, lifestyle disorders).
This mutual respect model is globally acceptable and practical — unlike forced syllabus-level merging.
Our Demands
We, therefore, earnestly petition the Government to:
1. Immediately withdraw any proposal to merge MBBS and BAMS syllabi at the undergraduate level.
2. Strengthen Ayurveda education and practice under NCISM as an independent, rigorous system.
3. Promote cross-system collaboration through postgraduate modules, integrated hospitals, and research, without diluting core training.
4. Initiate a wider consultation involving Ayurveda Acharyas, senior clinicians, public health experts, and student bodies before any structural change.
We request your prompt action to preserve India’s time-tested medical diversity, protect patient safety, and uphold the faith of millions in Ayurveda.
With utmost respect,
Vaidya Vasant Patil, MD (Ayurveda)
Atreya Ayurveda Foundation
ayurvasant@gmail.com
Links- Media
21
The Issue
Respected Sir/Madam,
We, the undersigned — practitioners, teachers, students, and stakeholders of Ayurveda and modern medicine — write to you with deep concern regarding the recently proposed policy of integrating Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) curricula.
The recent media reports and expert debates have highlighted that this integration plan, if implemented, may do irreparable harm to the very identity, standards, and credibility of both the modern biomedical system and the traditional Indian knowledge system — Ayurveda.
1. Violation of the Basic Structure of Ayurveda and Modern Medicine
Ayurveda and Allopathy are fundamentally different in philosophy, epistemology, diagnostic approach, treatment logic, and practice model:
Ayurveda is based on holistic principles, Tridosha theory, Prakriti-based diagnosis, and individualized care.
Modern medicine is rooted in reductionist biomedicine, standardized evidence-based protocols, and advanced technological interventions.
A forced merger dilutes the purity and rigor of both systems and risks creating a generation of half-trained practitioners.
2. Threat to Professional Standards and Patient Safety
Modern medicine requires deep knowledge of advanced physiology, surgery, and pharmacology supported by clinical exposure to life-threatening emergencies.
Ayurveda demands mastery of its own classics, Sanskrit, ancient diagnostics, Rasashastra, Panchakarma, and principles of Dosha-Dhatu-Mala.
A blended syllabus will only produce superficial knowledge, putting public health and patient safety at grave risk.
3. Global and Legal Precedent
No developed country with pluralistic medicine has integrated fundamentally different systems into a single undergraduate course.
Even India’s own legal framework under CCIM (NCISM) and NMC recognizes these as distinct professional degrees governed by separate regulatory bodies.
This integration proposal contradicts the spirit of the National Medical Commission Act and the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act.
4. Disrespect to Heritage and Knowledge Systems
Ayurveda is India’s proud intangible heritage, with millennia-old textual traditions like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya.
Superimposing Western medical modules risks marginalizing core Ayurvedic content, harming its identity as a complete independent science.
5. Massive Practical Challenges
Lack of trained faculty competent in both systems.
Mismatch of syllabi duration and depth.
Disruption of existing institutional structures.
No clarity on licensing, internship, or postgraduate specialization pathways for blended graduates.
6. Risk of Commercial Misuse and Quackery
Such an ambiguous degree could increase the risk of unqualified practice under the guise of dual competence, worsening quackery and crosspathy issues already plaguing the Indian health system.
7. Students’ Right to Choose a Clear Path
Thousands of students choose Ayurveda out of passion and belief in its holistic model. Forcing modern medicine modules beyond reasonable exposure distorts their chosen career path.
8. Alternative and Constructive Suggestions
We fully support collaborative, evidence-based integration through:
Structured bridge courses at the postgraduate or CME level.
Interdisciplinary referrals, co-located hospitals, dual-consult models.
Research-based collaborative protocols (e.g., Ayurveda for non-communicable diseases, lifestyle disorders).
This mutual respect model is globally acceptable and practical — unlike forced syllabus-level merging.
Our Demands
We, therefore, earnestly petition the Government to:
1. Immediately withdraw any proposal to merge MBBS and BAMS syllabi at the undergraduate level.
2. Strengthen Ayurveda education and practice under NCISM as an independent, rigorous system.
3. Promote cross-system collaboration through postgraduate modules, integrated hospitals, and research, without diluting core training.
4. Initiate a wider consultation involving Ayurveda Acharyas, senior clinicians, public health experts, and student bodies before any structural change.
We request your prompt action to preserve India’s time-tested medical diversity, protect patient safety, and uphold the faith of millions in Ayurveda.
With utmost respect,
Vaidya Vasant Patil, MD (Ayurveda)
Atreya Ayurveda Foundation
ayurvasant@gmail.com
Links- Media
21
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 28 June 2025