Department of Ayush (Kerala)

Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH)

AYUSH Department
Department overview
Jurisdiction	Kerala, India
Headquarters	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Minister responsible	Veena George, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, AYUSH
Department executive	Dr.Rajan N Khobragade IAS [1] , Additional Chief Secretary to Government (AYUSH)
Parent department	Government of Kerala
Website	ayush.kerala.gov.in

The Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) is a department under the Government of Kerala that formulates policies, administers government institutions, and coordinates programmes related to traditional and alternative systems of medicine in Kerala. The department promotes Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy and regulates educational, research, and healthcare activities in the AYUSH sector across the state. ^{[2] [3]}

The department functions through directorates and autonomous bodies that manage hospitals, research institutions, medical colleges, and wellness programmes. Kerala is considered one of the leading states in India in the public sector development of Ayurveda and homeopathy facilities.

Ministerial Leadership

The Department of AYUSH is administratively under the Cabinet Minister for Health and Family Welfare. The current minister is Veena George. ^[4]

The department is headed by a Principal Secretary to Government, an IAS officer, supported by Additional Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and other officials posted in the Secretariat. ^[5]

Directorates

The operational wings of the department include:

• Directorate of Ayurveda
• Directorate of Homeopathy
• Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicines (ISM) ^[6]

Functions

• Promotion and development of Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Naturopathy. ^[2]
• Administration of government AYUSH hospitals, dispensaries, and medical education institutions.
• Implementation of national and state AYUSH health programmes.
• Promotion of AYUSH-based preventive health and lifestyle medicine.
• Coordination of research, clinical trials, and medicinal plant development initiatives.

Subordinate Institutions

Directorates / Field Departments

• Directorate of Ayurveda
• Directorate of Homeopathy
• Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM)

Autonomous Bodies & Missions

• National AYUSH Mission (Kerala)
• Kerala State Ayurveda Co-operative Federation (The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Co-op)
• Kerala Medicinal Plants Board

Major Institutions

• Government Ayurveda Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
• Government Ayurveda Medical College, Kannur
• Government Homoeopathic Medical Colleges in Kerala

References

1. https://www.nam.kerala.gov.in/
2. "Department of AYUSH - Government of Kerala". ayush.kerala.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
3. Bureau, The Hindu (2025-01-17). "Kerala government making efforts to improve AYUSH department initiatives in State, says Governor". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2025-11-10.{{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
4. "Kerala Council of Ministers - Kerala Legislative Assembly". niyamasabha.nic.in. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
5. Rules of Business of Government of Kerala – Part II: First Schedule
6. ISM (2022-05-10). "Home". Department of Indian Systems of Medicine. Retrieved 2025-11-10.