SMART Program for Ayurveda

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Science (CCRVS) and the National Commission for Indian System of Medicines (NCISM), under the Ministry of Ayush, has recently launched SMART Program for Ayurveda professionals. It is aiming to boost quality R&D in Ayurveda.

What is SMART Program for Ayurveda?

• SMART stands for Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals.
• It aims to promote scientific research in priority healthcare areas through Ayurvedic colleges and hospitals.
• It will help to utilize the untapped research potential of Ayurvedic professionals and help to transform clinical research in Ayurveda.
• This program will identify, support and promote innovative healthcare research ideas in various areas like Iron deficiency Anaemia, Osteoarthritis, Chronic Bronchitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dyslipidemia, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Psoriasis, and Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.
• It will motivate Ayurvedic Teachers for taking up research projects in various areas of healthcare.

National Commission for Indian System of Medicines

• It is a statutory body, constituted under the provisions of the NCISM Act, 2020.
• The objectives of NCISM
  • improve the accessibility of quality and affordable medical education,
  • ensure the availability of adequate and quality professionals in the Indian System of Medicines across the country,
  • encourage medical teachers to adopt the latest medical research,
  • conduct a periodic objective and transparent assessment of medical institutions and also facilitate maintenance of a register of the Indian System of Medicines,
  • promote equitable and universal healthcare.

Ministry of Ayush

• It was established in 2014 to revive the profound knowledge of India’s ancient system of medicines and ensures the best development of the Ayush system of healthcare.
• Various schemes launched by Ayush Ministry are:
  • National Ayush Mission (NAM)
    • NAM is a Centre Sector Scheme launched in 2014.
    • It aims to provide cost-effective Ayush services with universal accessibility through upgrading Ayush hospitals and co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC).
    • Adopt Good Agricultural Practices to support the cultivation of medicinal plants.
  • National AYUSH Grid Project
    • It was started in 2018 to create a comprehensive IT backbone for the entire AYUSH sector.
    • The Yoga Locator mobile app and Ayush Sanajivani mobile app were also launched under this project.