|
Identifying a significant lag between project initiation and dissemination of research findings under the Ayurgyan scheme to generate credible scientific evidence for Ayush systems, the Parliamentary Panel on Health and Family Welfare has recommended to the Ministry of Ayush to strengthen monitoring and outcome-tracking mechanisms for the scheme.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, in its 174th report on Demands for Grants 2026-27 of the Ministry of Ayush, raised concerns that while the Ministry has supported 39 out of the targeted 50 research projects during the year, which is an achievement of 78%, outcome of these projects remain relatively modest.
"Against the annual target of 14 validated drugs/treatment models, only 6 have been achieved so far (approximately 43%). This indicates that although the initiation and funding of research projects is progressing at a modest pace, the conversion of funded research into validate, standardised, and clinically accepted treatment models remains limited," said the Panel headed by Member of Parliament Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav.
It further observed that under certain components, research studies have been initiated and in some cases have even exceeded the targeted numbers; however, the corresponding publication outputs remain a matter of concern.
"In the component of Ayurveda Biology Integrated Health Research, despite exceeding the target for research studies, no publications in reputed peer-reviewed journals have been reported so far. This reflects a significant lag between project initiation and dissemination of research findings, which undermines the larger objective of the Ayurgyan scheme to generate credible scientific evidence for Ayush systems," it added.
Ayurgyan, the central sector scheme under the Ministry, has three components - capacity building and continuing medical education in Ayush for training and development of Ayush healthcare professionals, research and innovation in Ayush to bring in new therapies, drugs, and practices in Ayush systems of medicine, and Ayurveda Biology Integrated Health Research to bridge traditional Ayurveda principles with modern sciences like molecular biology, pharmacology, immunology, and bioinformatics.
In light of the observations, the Panel recommended that the Ministry must strengthen the monitoring and outcome-tracking mechanisms of the Ayurgyan scheme so that research projects translate into tangible outputs such as validated treatment models, standardized drugs and peer-reviewed scientific publications within defined timelines.
"The Ministry may also consider introducing clear milestones, periodic peer review and incentives for publication in reputed journals along with stronger coordination between research institutions and clinical centres to ensure that funded projects effectively contribute to evidence generation and wider acceptance of Ayush therapies," it added.
The Panel also noted with concern that the allocation under the Ayurgyan Scheme has witnessed significant downward revision at the Revised Estimate (RE) stage in consecutive financial years In 2024-25, the Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs. 49.50 crore was reduced to Rs. 27 crore at the RE stage, representing a reduction of approximately 45%, with actual expenditure of Rs. 25.70 crore. Similarly, in 2025-26, the BE of Rs. 50 crore was reduced to Rs. 37.81 crore at the RE stage.
The Ministry informed the Panel that due to this reduction of allocation at the RE stage, funds could not be released to certain projects approved by the Project Sanctioning Committee (PSC). The Panel observed that such recurring mid-year contraction of funds at RE stage adversely affects the expansion and continuity of research projects and leads to delays in the execution of approved studies, particularly those sanctioned by the PSC.
Taking into consideration the submission of the Ministry that reduction of budgetary allocation of Rs. 50 crore at BE to Rs. 37.81 crore at RE 2025-26 led to non release of funds to certain projects as approved by the Panel said that it is further of the view that such budgetary uncertainty must have undermined the confidence of participating institutions and impede the effective achievement of the objectives of the scheme.
It recommended that the Ministry evolve a protected funding mechanism for ongoing research projects so as to avoid slashing of budgetary allocation. Further, multi-year research commitments under the scheme should be planned and funded in a manner that ensures stability and continuity and are not subjected to annual budgetary volatility.
There was also under-utilisation of funds, primarily due to procedural and operational issues such as delays in utilisation of funds by implementing institutions and balances lying in the Central Nodal Agency (CNA) accounts beyond the admissible limits. This has prevented further release of funds.
The projects which could not receive funds due to under-utilisation involved reputed institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi; All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi; Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi; Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore; Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi; Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi; and other academic and research institutions.
The proposed studies covered diverse areas including clinical trials, pharmacological evaluation of drugs, microbial studies and integrative medicine interventions relating to conditions such as psoriasis, cancer, Covid-19 management, neurological disorders, depression and other health conditions.
"The Committee is of the view that while financial prudence and adherence to procedural requirements are essential but such bottlenecks should not impede the timely execution of research projects under a scheme intended to promote scientific validation and innovation in Ayush systems of medicine. The Committee in this connection, recommends the Ministry to evolve an increased level of monitoring of projects sanctioned under the Scheme and institute periodic reviews of their progress so as to avoid recurrence of such situations in future," said the report.
It added that it is constrained to observe that the non-execution of such PSC-approved studies represents a missed opportunity for generating scientific evidence and advancing research in Ayush systems of medicine.
|