India Strengthens Quality Standards for Ayurveda, Yoga and Sowa-Rigpa Through Nationwide BIS Initiative

India has intensified its efforts to strengthen quality assurance, patient safety and international recognition of traditional healthcare systems through a nationwide standardisation initiative led by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The initiative focuses on developing and promoting scientific quality standards in Ayurveda, Yoga and Sowa-Rigpa while encouraging closer cooperation among researchers, healthcare practitioners, educational institutions and manufacturers.

The AYUSH Department of BIS organised two major national engagements in Belagavi, Karnataka, and Leh, Ladakh, bringing together more than 600 experts, practitioners, researchers, industry representatives and academic leaders. The programmes addressed important aspects of traditional healthcare, including clinical practices, pharmaceutical quality, educational standards, research methodologies and the preservation of indigenous medical knowledge.

According to an official announcement issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on October 19, 2026, the initiative aims to strengthen consumer confidence, improve healthcare quality and expand the international acceptance of India’s traditional systems of medicine.

PRAGATI 2026 Brings Together 600 Experts in Ayurveda and Yoga

The Bureau of Indian Standards organised PRAGATI 2026, a National Seminar on Standardisation in Ayurveda and Yoga, at Belagavi in Karnataka. The programme was conducted in association with KLE Shri BMK Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and the KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research.

The seminar brought together approximately 600 participants to examine how Indian Standards can strengthen the quality, reliability and professional practices associated with Ayurveda and Yoga. Discussions focused on integrating traditional medical knowledge with systematic quality assurance and recognised technical standards.

Shrishti Dixit, Scientist-E and Head of the AYUSH Department at BIS, highlighted the organisation’s work in developing Indian Standards and expanding India’s participation in international standardisation activities through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The discussions emphasised that clearly defined standards are important for strengthening patient safety, supporting credible research and creating consistent quality benchmarks across traditional healthcare institutions.

The programme also provided an opportunity for medical professionals, researchers and manufacturers to examine practical challenges associated with adopting standards in education, clinical practice and the production of traditional healthcare products.

Standardising Ayurveda Education, Clinical Practice and Research

One of the principal objectives of the BIS initiative is to encourage greater consistency in the terminology, educational practices and clinical procedures associated with Ayurveda and Yoga.

Ayurveda encompasses an extensive body of traditional medical knowledge involving preventive healthcare, lifestyle management, medicinal preparations and therapeutic practices. Standardisation can support this knowledge system by establishing clearer technical requirements for products, procedures and documentation.

During PRAGATI 2026, experts discussed the importance of uniform terminology, educational benchmarks and clinical guidelines. Such measures can help improve communication among practitioners, educational institutions, researchers and healthcare authorities.

Standardised terminology is particularly important for research because it allows concepts and procedures to be described consistently across different institutions. Clear documentation can also support systematic evaluation, reproducibility and the comparison of research findings.

The initiative seeks to strengthen the scientific and institutional foundations of Ayurveda while preserving the principles and traditional knowledge that distinguish the medical system.

BIS Encourages Quality Certification Among Ayurveda Manufacturers

The Belagavi seminar also examined the role of standardisation in strengthening India’s Ayurveda manufacturing industry.

Representatives from the pharmaceutical and traditional healthcare sectors discussed how compliance with recognised quality standards can improve manufacturing practices, strengthen consumer confidence and support access to domestic and international markets.

Dr Bindu Indira from Himalaya Wellness Company and Dr Srinivas Patil from the Karnataka AYUSH Drugs Manufacturers Association contributed industry perspectives on the adoption of BIS standards and certification.

Their discussions highlighted the importance of reliable quality assurance systems for manufacturers producing Ayurvedic medicines and other traditional healthcare products.

Standardisation can help establish consistent requirements for manufacturing processes, product characteristics, testing procedures and quality documentation. These measures are particularly relevant as demand for traditional healthcare products expands beyond India.

For startups and smaller manufacturers, clearer technical standards can also provide a structured framework for product development, quality assessment and regulatory compliance.

The initiative therefore supports both consumer protection and the development of a more competitive traditional healthcare manufacturing ecosystem.

Expert Consultations Address Practical Challenges in Adopting Standards

PRAGATI 2026 included an interactive open-house session where healthcare professionals, researchers and industry representatives discussed practical issues affecting the implementation of quality standards.

The expert discussions were led by Professor Dr Kashinath Samagandi of the All India Institute of Ayurveda and Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairperson of the Ayurveda Sectional Committee of BIS.

Participants examined the challenges involved in introducing consistent standards across educational institutions, research organisations, pharmaceutical manufacturers and clinical establishments.

The discussions also identified areas where further technical guidance and improved coordination could support wider adoption of standardisation practices.

Such consultations are important because India’s traditional healthcare sector includes institutions operating across different scales and specialisations. Developing effective standards requires technical expertise as well as an understanding of practical requirements faced by practitioners and manufacturers.

By involving stakeholders directly in the standardisation process, BIS aims to develop quality frameworks that are technically appropriate and useful across the wider AYUSH ecosystem.

Sowa-Rigpa Standardisation Initiative Conducted in Ladakh

Alongside the Ayurveda and Yoga programme in Karnataka, BIS organised a dedicated brainstorming session on Sowa-Rigpa at the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa in Leh, Ladakh.

The session was held in conjunction with the fifth meeting of the BIS Sowa-Rigpa Sectional Committee. It focused on strengthening technical standards, pharmaceutical quality and the preservation of traditional medical knowledge associated with Sowa-Rigpa.

Sowa-Rigpa is a traditional medical system with deep historical roots in the Himalayan region. It remains an important component of healthcare traditions in Ladakh and other Himalayan communities.

The meeting brought together specialists from national research institutions and organisations associated with traditional medicine.

Participants included Padma Shri Dr Padma Gurmet, Chairperson of the BIS Sowa-Rigpa Sectional Committee and Founding Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa; Dr Arjun Singh from the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences; Dr Usama Akram from the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine; and Dr Mahe Alam from BIS.

The deliberations focused on establishing reliable standards that can strengthen the quality and safety of traditional Sowa-Rigpa formulations while supporting the continued development of the medical system.

Quality Standards for Medicinal Herbs and Traditional Formulations

A major focus of the Sowa-Rigpa discussions was the development of quality parameters for medicinal plants, raw materials and finished pharmaceutical preparations.

Traditional medicines frequently depend on botanical materials and other naturally derived ingredients. Their characteristics can vary according to geographical origin, harvesting conditions, processing methods and storage practices.

The BIS consultations therefore examined the need for rigorous testing requirements covering individual medicinal herbs, raw ingredients and completed formulations.

Participants discussed pharmaceutical quality, safety, efficacy, laboratory requirements, analytical procedures and pharmacopoeial standards. The objective is to establish clearer technical frameworks that can support reliable identification, assessment and quality assurance of traditional medicinal products.

Pharmacopoeial standards provide recognised specifications for medicinal substances, including aspects of identity, purity and quality. Their development and appropriate application can strengthen the consistency of medicinal preparations and support further scientific research.

For Sowa-Rigpa, improved standardisation also offers opportunities to strengthen institutional research and professional education while maintaining the traditional knowledge associated with Himalayan medicine.

Protecting Traditional Knowledge Through Intellectual Property Frameworks

The Ladakh consultations also addressed the importance of protecting indigenous medical knowledge through appropriate intellectual property mechanisms.

Experts discussed the potential role of patents, trademarks and geographical indications in safeguarding traditional knowledge and supporting quality identification.

India possesses a diverse heritage of medicinal knowledge developed over generations by traditional practitioners and local communities. Protecting this knowledge is important for ensuring appropriate recognition and preventing its unauthorised commercial exploitation.

Geographical indications can help identify products whose qualities or reputation are associated with particular regions. Trademarks can support product identification, while other intellectual property mechanisms may provide protection where the relevant legal requirements are satisfied.

The discussions reflected the need to connect traditional knowledge preservation with modern quality assurance and intellectual property frameworks.

Such cooperation can support the responsible development of traditional medical systems while strengthening recognition of the communities and institutions associated with their knowledge traditions.

National Institutions Support BIS Standardisation Efforts

The nationwide initiative received support from several leading institutions involved in traditional medicine, education, regulation and scientific research.

These included the All India Institute of Ayurveda, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences and Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine.

Their participation reflects the importance of coordination among standard-setting organisations, research institutions, educational bodies and healthcare authorities.

The All India Institute of Ayurveda contributes expertise in Ayurvedic education, research and clinical practice. The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine has an important role in the regulation of medical education and professional standards within its statutory mandate.

Research councils contribute scientific expertise, laboratory capabilities and experience in evaluating traditional medical practices and formulations.

BIS brings these institutional strengths together through its responsibility for developing Indian Standards and promoting conformity assessment.

The combined approach aims to strengthen the quality infrastructure supporting traditional healthcare while encouraging wider adoption of recognised standards.

Strengthening India’s Participation in International AYUSH Standardisation

The initiative also reflects India’s growing emphasis on international standardisation of traditional healthcare systems.

The Bureau of Indian Standards serves as India’s national standards body and participates in international standardisation activities, including those conducted through ISO.

Its dedicated AYUSH Department works across traditional systems of medicine, supporting the formulation of standards that can improve technical consistency, quality assurance and consumer confidence.

Internationally recognised standards are important for manufacturers and healthcare organisations seeking to participate in global markets. They can help establish common technical requirements, improve product assessment and facilitate cooperation between institutions in different countries.

For India’s Ayurveda industry, stronger quality standards can support exports, enhance international acceptance and encourage greater confidence in Indian traditional healthcare products.

The initiative also creates opportunities for Indian researchers and technical experts to contribute to the development of international standards relating to traditional medicine.

By strengthening domestic standardisation and international participation simultaneously, BIS is helping create a more systematic foundation for the global development of India’s traditional healthcare sector.

BIS Invites Industry and Academia to Participate in Developing New Standards

The Bureau of Indian Standards has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining continuous engagement with researchers, manufacturers, educational institutions and healthcare practitioners.

The organisation is encouraging stakeholders to submit proposals for new standards through its online submission facilities. This approach allows experts and institutions to identify emerging technical requirements and contribute to the standard-setting process.

Participation from industry and academia is particularly important in fields where scientific research, manufacturing technologies and professional practices continue to evolve.

The consultations conducted in Belagavi and Leh provide a foundation for identifying areas requiring further technical work and wider stakeholder engagement.

By encouraging contributions from practitioners, researchers and manufacturers, BIS aims to develop standards that reflect both scientific requirements and practical experience within the AYUSH sector.

India Advances Quality Assurance and Global Recognition of Traditional Medicine

The nationwide BIS initiative represents an important step towards strengthening the quality infrastructure supporting Ayurveda, Yoga and Sowa-Rigpa.

The participation of more than 600 experts and stakeholders demonstrates growing institutional and industry engagement with the development of reliable standards for traditional healthcare.

The Belagavi programme highlighted the importance of consistent educational practices, credible research and manufacturing quality, while the Leh consultations advanced discussions on medicinal raw materials, traditional formulations and knowledge protection.

Together, these initiatives strengthen cooperation among India’s standardisation authorities, healthcare institutions, researchers and traditional medicine manufacturers.

As India expands its role in global traditional healthcare, the integration of established medical knowledge with systematic quality assurance will contribute to stronger consumer confidence, improved institutional practices and greater international recognition.

The continuing work of BIS and its institutional partners will support the development of an AYUSH ecosystem that preserves India’s traditional medical heritage while advancing scientific quality, safety and international competitiveness.

---

References

1. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India

Bureau of Indian Standards Organises Nationwide Interactive Sessions to Promote AYUSH with Quality Standards.

Published: 19 October 2026, 6:52 PM IST.

Official announcement covering PRAGATI 2026 in Belagavi, the Sowa-Rigpa standardisation meeting in Leh and the participation of more than 600 stakeholders.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2325226

2. Bureau of Indian Standards — AYUSH Division Council

Official information on the AYUSH Division Council, its scope, member institutions and responsibilities for standardisation across traditional medical systems.

https://standards.bis.gov.in

3. Bureau of Indian Standards

Official information on India’s national standards body, technical committees, Indian Standards and conformity assessment activities.

https://www.bis.gov.in/

4. Ministry of Ayush, Government of India

Official information on the development, promotion and institutional framework of traditional systems of medicine in India.

https://ayush.gov.in

---