Breaking: JIPMER to launch India's first integrated MBBS-BAMS course
mbbs and ayurveda
Puducherry: The Union Government is set to integrate allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine under one academic roof with plans to launch India's first MBBS-BAMS course at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry. Announcing the plan recently, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and AYUSH (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, said that the course is at the conceptual stage, with a new syllabus in development.
Medical Dialogues has been extensively reporting on the government’s initiatives towards the integration of modern medicine with Indian systems of medicine, along with the resulting backlash. Back in 2022, the National Medical Commission (NMC) made it mandatory for all medical colleges to have a "Department of Integrative Medicine Research".
In 2023, the apex medical regulator, while specifying the objectives of the foundation course of the MBBS curriculum, mentioned how the learners will be oriented to different aspects. These objectives included the orientation of the learners in the "Alternate health systems, i.e. AYUSH in India and history of Medicine." Besides, the list of electives mentioned in the MBBS Curriculum also mentioned the "Indian System of Medicine."
The move immediately drew backlash from the medical fraternity, decrying mixopathy. They alleged that by including the Indian System of Medicine in the MBBS course, NMC, ‘has opened the doors for Mixopathy, and by the year 2030, India will only have Hybrid doctors.’
Now, the integration of allopathy and Ayurveda in medical education is taking shape. Speaking to The New Indian Express after inaugurating the renovated Emergency and Trauma Care Centre at JIPMER, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and AYUSH (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav announced, “The Union government is planning to introduce a new integrated medical course combining MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery).”
“The course is currently at the conceptual stage, and efforts are underway to frame a new syllabus,” he added.
As part of its expansion, JIPMER has begun construction of a 470-bed hospital at its Karaikal campus. Outpatient services are expected to commence by January 2027, with full completion targeted for June 2027, according to the institute’s Director.
In addition to educational reforms, Minister Jadhav also addressed healthcare delivery in the region. He confirmed that the proposal from the Puducherry government to establish a new medical college is under review, and a decision will be made soon.
