India’s Ayush services sector is emerging as an important contributor to women’s employment and economic participation, with women accounting for 43% of its total workforce and more than 50% of employees across several organised healthcare, education and wellness segments. The findings come from a comprehensive study conducted by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), released during the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations in Nagpur on September 23, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Ayush, the country’s Ayush services economy reached an estimated US$36.92 billion, approximately ₹3.12 lakh crore, in FY2024–25, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.91% from FY2022–23. The sector directly supports an estimated 1.76 million livelihoods across healthcare delivery, wellness services, educational institutions and related activities.
The findings were highlighted in an official Ministry of Ayush announcement on October 8, 2026. The report identifies particularly strong female participation in wellness establishments, educational institutions, day-care centres and hospitals. Women represent more than 60% of employees in spas and wellness resorts offering Ayush-based services, while their participation reaches 58% in educational institutions, 57% in day-care centres and 53% in hospitals.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav emphasised that the expanding sector is creating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and professional development. The Government views this growth as an important part of strengthening India’s healthcare and wellness economy while encouraging greater participation by women in organised services.
RIS Study Examines India’s Expanding Ayush Services Economy
The RIS study provides an extensive assessment of the economic contribution and employment generated by India’s traditional and complementary healthcare services. It covers Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy, examining their contribution through healthcare establishments, wellness facilities, educational institutions and related services.
The report draws upon a nationally scaled establishment-level survey covering 15,914 establishments across the major Ayush systems. The research examines revenue generation, employment patterns, organisational characteristics and opportunities for future economic expansion. Its findings provide a statistical foundation for understanding the sector’s contribution beyond the manufacture and sale of Ayush products.
The assessment is particularly significant because it concentrates on services rather than the wider Ayush industry as a whole. Healthcare consultations, therapeutic services, wellness programmes, educational activities and medical value travel represent different components of the services economy. Evaluating them separately allows policymakers and researchers to understand their economic contribution and workforce requirements more accurately.
Professor Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General of RIS, highlighted the importance of this evidence-based approach. He explained that the study demonstrates how Ayush services have developed into a substantial knowledge-based economic sector, supported by healthcare professionals, educational institutions, wellness enterprises and a growing network of service providers.
Women Account for 43% of Total Ayush Services Employment
One of the most important findings of the report concerns the participation of women across the Ayush services workforce. With female representation reaching 43% overall, the sector provides employment opportunities across several categories of professional and supporting services.
The composition of employment differs significantly between establishments. While the overall workforce figure includes different types of Ayush service providers, organised facilities such as hospitals, educational institutions, wellness resorts and day-care centres report higher levels of female participation.
These differences demonstrate the importance of examining employment patterns within individual segments rather than relying exclusively on the overall sectoral average. Organised institutions often bring together different professional roles, including clinical services, education, therapeutic assistance, administration and institutional management.
The study identifies women’s participation as an important characteristic of the sector’s employment structure. Its findings also indicate that the continued expansion of organised services could create additional opportunities for professional training, employment and enterprise development.
Women Form the Majority in Several Organised Ayush Segments
The RIS report provides a detailed breakdown of female workforce participation across major organised Ayush establishments.
| Ayush services segment | Women’s share of workforce |
|---|---|
| Overall Ayush services sector | 43% |
| Spas and wellness resorts offering Ayush services | More than 60% |
| Ayush educational institutions | 58% |
| Ayush day-care centres | 57% |
| Ayush hospitals | 53% |
The figures reveal particularly strong representation in wellness establishments, where women account for more than three-fifths of employees. Educational institutions and day-care centres also report female-majority workforces, while women constitute slightly more than half of the workforce in Ayush hospitals.
The distribution demonstrates that women’s employment is not confined to a single category of Ayush services. Their participation extends across healthcare delivery, wellness activities and education, reflecting the sector’s varied employment structure.
However, these percentages describe workforce participation and do not independently establish differences in wages, employment security, leadership representation or career progression. Such questions require additional employment data beyond the participation figures presented in the Ministry’s announcement.
Ayush Wellness Establishments Record Highest Female Participation
Spas and wellness resorts offering Ayush-based services recorded the highest proportion of women employees among the organised segments highlighted in the report.
Female representation exceeds 60% in these establishments, demonstrating the importance of women within the organised wellness services workforce. The segment forms part of a wider Ayush economy that includes residential wellness programmes, traditional therapeutic services and establishments offering Yoga and other wellness-related activities.
The expansion of wellness establishments contributes to employment across different service functions. Such institutions require personnel for therapeutic services, customer support, administration, hospitality-related activities and other operations associated with organised wellness programmes.
The RIS study also identifies wellness services as one of the faster-growing components of the Ayush economy. This connection between sectoral expansion and substantial female workforce participation highlights the segment’s potential importance for future employment generation.
Strengthening professional training and institutional quality standards can support the development of this workforce as organised wellness services continue to expand.
Women Hold 58% of Jobs in Ayush Educational Institutions
Educational institutions constitute another important source of women’s employment within the Ayush sector. According to the RIS assessment, women account for 58% of the workforce in Ayush educational establishments, reflecting their substantial participation in the sector’s institutional activities.
Ayush education involves professional training, academic instruction, practical learning and research-related activities associated with India’s recognised traditional and complementary medical systems. Educational establishments also require administrative and technical personnel to support their operations.
The expansion of educational institutions contributes to the development of trained professionals who can subsequently enter healthcare, wellness, teaching and research-related fields.
Women’s representation within these institutions is therefore important not only for current employment but also for the continued development of professional capabilities within the Ayush services ecosystem.
The Ministry of Ayush has identified skilling and stronger institutional networks as important priorities for improving the quality and scale of employment. These measures can support the development of professional opportunities as demand for organised Ayush services increases.
Ayush Hospitals and Day-Care Centres Employ Majority Women
The RIS report identifies substantial female participation in healthcare establishments, with women representing 57% of employees in Ayush day-care centres and 53% in Ayush hospitals.
These institutions form part of the organised healthcare services economy and contribute to the delivery of consultations, therapeutic services and other recognised Ayush healthcare activities.
Day-care centres provide services that do not necessarily require extended residential admission, while hospitals operate within a broader institutional healthcare framework. Both categories require professional, technical, administrative and supporting personnel.
Their female-majority workforce demonstrates the importance of women’s participation in the organised delivery of Ayush healthcare services.
The Ministry’s findings also reinforce the significance of professional development and institutional standards in expanding healthcare employment. As organised facilities grow, ensuring adequate training, appropriate qualifications and reliable service delivery becomes essential for maintaining public confidence and improving employment quality.
Ayush Services Sector Supports 1.76 Million Livelihoods
Beyond women’s workforce participation, the RIS assessment identifies the Ayush services sector as an important source of employment across India.
The report estimates that 1.76 million livelihoods depend directly on Ayush services, covering healthcare delivery, wellness activities, education and allied services. This employment footprint extends across organised institutions and smaller establishments serving local communities.
More than one million livelihoods are concentrated in local and standalone clinics. These establishments represent a substantial component of the Ayush services network and demonstrate the importance of smaller healthcare enterprises within the overall employment structure.
Standalone clinics are widely distributed across urban and rural locations, contributing to the availability of Ayush services while supporting the livelihoods of practitioners and other personnel associated with their operations.
The concentration of employment in these establishments also highlights the importance of understanding the economic role of smaller service providers. Although large hospitals and wellness resorts form a visible part of the organised market, local clinics account for a significant share of the sector’s overall livelihood contribution.
Ayush Services Economy Reaches US$36.92 Billion in FY2024–25
The RIS report estimates the value of India’s Ayush services economy at US$36.92 billion in FY2024–25, equivalent to approximately ₹3.12 lakh crore using the conversion reflected in the sectoral reporting.
The sector recorded a compound annual growth rate of 16.91% between FY2022–23 and FY2024–25. This growth reflects the expansion of healthcare consultations, institutional services, wellness activities and other segments covered by the study.
The figures establish Ayush services as a substantial component of India’s wider services economy. Importantly, the estimate relates specifically to services and should not be confused with the total value of the broader Ayush industry, which includes manufacturing and product-related activities.
The research provides a more detailed economic assessment by identifying the contributions of individual service categories and recognised Ayush systems.
Its findings can support policy planning, investment decisions and institutional development by providing information about the scale and composition of the sector.
Standalone Clinics Generate 43.9% of Ayush Services Revenue
Standalone clinics account for the largest individual share of the Ayush services economy, generating an estimated US$16.21 billion, or approximately ₹1.37 lakh crore, in FY2024–25.
This represents 43.9% of the sector’s total estimated revenue, making standalone clinics the principal revenue-generating segment identified in the report.
Their economic contribution reflects the importance of individual and smaller healthcare establishments within the Ayush service delivery network. Such clinics provide consultations and other services to patients seeking care through recognised Ayush systems.
Day-care centres constitute another major segment, contributing approximately US$10.13 billion, equivalent to ₹85,659.28 crore, during the same financial year.
Together, standalone clinics and day-care centres generated more than 71% of total Ayush services revenue. This concentration demonstrates the importance of outpatient and non-residential healthcare activities within the sector’s economic structure.
The figures also show that the expansion of Ayush services is not driven exclusively by large hospitals or destination wellness resorts. Local healthcare establishments continue to make a substantial contribution to both revenue and employment.
Ayurveda Remains Largest Individual Ayush System
Ayurveda accounts for the largest individual share of India’s Ayush services economy, generating an estimated US$17.73 billion in FY2024–25.
This represents approximately 48% of the total sectoral revenue assessed by RIS, establishing Ayurveda as the largest individual system within the services economy.
Ayurveda’s economic contribution includes services provided through healthcare establishments, therapeutic facilities and other institutions covered by the study.
The broader Ayush services sector also includes Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy, each contributing to the diversity of India’s traditional and complementary healthcare landscape.
The Ministry’s assessment identifies Ayurveda’s leading revenue position without suggesting that the economic importance of other systems is insignificant.
The study’s system-wise analysis provides useful information for understanding differences in market size, institutional development and opportunities for future investment across the Ayush ecosystem.
Wellness Services Record 21.29% Annual Growth
Wellness services emerged as one of the fastest-growing components of the Ayush services economy.
According to the RIS assessment, the wellness segment recorded a 21.29% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the 16.91% growth reported for the overall Ayush services sector during the study period.
The segment includes Yoga centres, spas, resorts and establishments offering Ayush-based wellness services. Its expansion reflects increasing economic activity associated with organised wellness programmes and related services.
Within this category, Yoga centres recorded approximately 75% revenue growth over two years, demonstrating particularly strong expansion during the period examined.
The findings indicate growing consumer expenditure on wellness-related services. However, revenue growth does not by itself establish the clinical effectiveness of individual treatments or programmes, which must be evaluated through appropriate scientific evidence.
From an economic perspective, the expansion of wellness establishments creates opportunities for service providers, trained professionals and supporting enterprises.
The combination of strong revenue growth and high female workforce participation makes this segment particularly relevant to the Ministry’s emphasis on inclusive employment.
Medical Value Travel Generates US$1.77 Billion for Ayush Services
Medical Value Travel has become another important contributor to the Ayush services economy.
The RIS study estimates that international patient-related services generated approximately US$1.77 billion, equivalent to around ₹14,967 crore, in FY2024–25.
The report found that international patients represented approximately 5% of patient volumes but contributed an estimated 15% to 25% of revenue in the hospital segment.
This difference indicates that international patients account for a relatively small proportion of overall patient numbers while contributing a larger share of hospital revenue.
The study also identifies longer stays associated with certain Ayush therapeutic programmes, including Panchakarma and residential Yoga. The reported average length of stay for these programmes ranges from five to eleven days.
Such programmes create demand for healthcare and wellness services alongside accommodation and other supporting activities.
The findings highlight the economic importance of international patient services and the potential for organised Ayush establishments to participate in India’s medical value travel sector.
Digital Visibility and Quality Accreditation Support International Patient Engagement
The RIS study identifies digital visibility and recognised quality accreditation as important characteristics associated with attracting international patients.
According to the assessment, establishments operating a dedicated functional website had 3.6 times higher odds of attracting international patients compared with establishments without such digital visibility.
The study also found that recognised quality accreditation, including NABH or ISO certification, was associated with approximately twice the odds of attracting international patients.
These findings demonstrate the importance of accessible information and institutional quality assurance within the international healthcare services market.
Prospective patients seeking services abroad often require reliable information about establishments, available programmes, qualifications, facilities and service arrangements. A functional digital presence can help institutions communicate such information to interested users.
Quality accreditation can provide additional assurance concerning specified institutional processes and standards. However, accreditation should not be interpreted as proof that every treatment offered by an establishment has demonstrated clinical effectiveness.
The RIS findings identify associations between digital and accreditation characteristics and international patient attraction. They do not establish that websites or certification alone cause higher international patient numbers.
Ministry of Ayush Identifies Skilling and Quality Standards as Employment Priorities
The Ministry of Ayush has identified professional training, quality standards and institutional development as important requirements for sustaining the sector’s expansion.
Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha emphasised that organised Ayush services can contribute to improved employment opportunities when supported by reliable quality systems, workforce development and stronger institutional networks.
The Ministry also recognises the importance of digital infrastructure in improving service delivery and strengthening connections between healthcare institutions and patients.
Professional skilling can support the development of the workforce required by hospitals, educational institutions, clinics, wellness establishments and other service providers.
As the sector expands, the availability of appropriately trained personnel will remain important for maintaining service standards and supporting institutional development.
The report’s employment findings provide an opportunity to examine how workforce participation can translate into sustained professional opportunities, particularly for women employed in organised establishments.
Ayush Sector Offers Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs
The Ministry’s October 8 announcement highlighted entrepreneurship as another important dimension of the growing Ayush services economy.
Expansion across healthcare, wellness and education creates opportunities for individuals and enterprises to establish and operate service-related businesses.
Women already account for a substantial proportion of the sector’s workforce, particularly in organised wellness and healthcare establishments. This participation provides a foundation from which professional experience and enterprise development opportunities may emerge.
Standalone clinics and other smaller establishments form an important part of the Ayush economy, demonstrating the contribution of locally operated services to employment and revenue generation.
However, the RIS workforce figures do not separately establish the proportion of Ayush enterprises owned or managed by women. Female employment participation and female business ownership represent different economic indicators.
The Ministry’s emphasis on entrepreneurship therefore concerns the opportunities associated with future growth rather than a confirmed measure of women’s present ownership of Ayush establishments.
Improved training, institutional support and access to relevant business infrastructure can contribute to the development of additional enterprises within the sector.
RIS Projects Ayush Services Economy Could Reach US$216–318 Billion by 2047
The RIS assessment projects substantial long-term growth potential for India’s Ayush services economy.
According to the study, the sector could expand from US$36.92 billion in FY2024–25 to between US$216 billion and US$318 billion by 2047.
The projection forms part of the report’s assessment of how Ayush services could contribute to India’s broader Viksit Bharat 2047 development objectives.
The forecast depends on improvements in infrastructure, institutional capabilities, quality standards, workforce skills, digital services and international market access.
It therefore represents a projected range rather than a guaranteed future economic outcome.
The study identifies opportunities for employment and enterprise development across healthcare delivery, wellness services, education, medical travel, research and allied sectors.
Achieving sustained expansion will require the sector to strengthen institutional capacity while maintaining appropriate professional and service standards.
Four Strategic Priorities Identified for Future Ayush Development
The RIS report outlines four major areas intended to guide the long-term development of the Ayush services economy.
The first concerns strengthening the knowledge value chain associated with Ayush systems. This includes developing the research, educational and institutional capabilities required to support professional services and technological development.
The second focuses on improving enterprise and institutional capabilities. Stronger infrastructure, quality assurance, workforce skills and organisational systems can help establishments develop more reliable and competitive services.
The third priority concerns global competitiveness and Medical Value Travel. The study identifies international market readiness, recognised accreditation and digital visibility as important factors associated with international patient engagement.
The fourth focuses on innovation through digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The report identifies digital health records, improved information systems and responsible adoption of emerging technologies as areas capable of supporting the sector’s future development.
Together, these priorities provide a framework for examining how Ayush services can expand while improving institutional quality, workforce capabilities and economic participation.
RIS Study Provides New Evidence for Ayush Policy and Investment Planning
The Ministry of Ayush considers the RIS assessment an important development because it provides a nationally scaled economic evaluation of Ayush services.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha highlighted that the establishment-level survey offers a stronger evidence base for understanding the sector’s contribution and identifying priorities for investment and reform.
The information can help distinguish between revenue generated by different service segments, employment associated with various establishments and opportunities emerging through wellness and international patient services.
The findings also demonstrate the importance of measuring the sector through economic and workforce indicators rather than relying exclusively on institutional counts or general descriptions of growth.
For policymakers, the assessment provides information relevant to professional training, service quality, institutional development and women’s economic participation.
For research institutions and businesses, the report offers a statistical foundation for examining the development of a service economy that includes both traditional healthcare establishments and emerging organised wellness enterprises.
Women’s Growing Participation Strengthens India’s Ayush Services Economy
The RIS study highlights the contribution of women to a rapidly expanding sector that combines healthcare delivery, wellness services, education and related economic activities.
With women accounting for 43% of the overall workforce and forming a majority across several organised segments, the Ayush services economy represents an important area of female employment participation.
Its estimated value of US$36.92 billion in FY2024–25 and direct support for 1.76 million livelihoods demonstrate the sector’s substantial economic footprint. Strong growth in wellness services, continued contributions from standalone clinics and expanding medical value travel further illustrate its diverse sources of revenue.
The report also identifies the importance of professional training, institutional standards, digital infrastructure and stronger research capabilities in supporting future development.
The Ministry of Ayush has emphasised that the continued expansion of organised services can create additional opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and participation by women across different professional fields.
With sustained investment in workforce development, quality standards and institutional capabilities, India’s Ayush services sector can strengthen women’s economic participation while contributing to healthcare, wellness, employment generation and the country’s wider development goals under Viksit Bharat 2047.
References
1. Press Information Bureau, Government of India
Ministry of Ayush
Women Account for 43% of Overall Ayush Services Workforce; Representation Exceeds 50% Across Several Organised Segments
Published: October 8, 2026, 12:33 PM
Release ID: 2320577
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2320577
2. Press Information Bureau, Government of India
Ministry of Ayush
Ayush Emerges as One of India’s Fastest-Growing Service Sectors, RIS Study Estimates US$36.92 Billion Economy
Published: September 30, 2026, 12:38 PM
Release ID: 2316869
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2316869
3. Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
Ayush Service Sector Report, 2026
Released during the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations, Nagpur, September 23, 2026.
https://www.ris.org.in
4. Ministry of Ayush, Government of India
Official information on Ayush healthcare systems, institutions and sectoral development.
https://ayush.gov.in
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