Exit Exam Mandatory to Practise Ayurveda: Draft Bill

According to a proposed legislation on the lines of the draft National Medical Commission Bill 2017, medical graduates aspiring to obtain a license to practice Indian medicine, including Ayurveda, will have to clear an Exit Exam. The legislation is a part of a draft bill that seeks to constitute/ create a new regulator, i.e., National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy. The new regulator will replace the existing statutory bodies governing Indian systems of medicine and higher education in homoeopathy.

After holding consultation with NITI Aayog, the Ministry of AYUSH has recommended the formulation and inclusion of integrated medicine in the draft bill that will enable AYUSH practitioners to practice after undergoing a mandatory ‘bridge course’.

Also Read: - Union Cabinet Approves National Medical Commission Bill 2017, End of MCI Era

NITI Aayog’s panel made the proposal and the draft bill is named as ‘National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy’. It will replace CCH (Central Council of Homeopathy) and CCIM (Central Council of Indian Medicine). The draft bill also proposes National Teachers Eligibility Test with a motive to bring in quality teachers in traditional systems of medicine.

Also Read:- NEET Mandatory for the Admission to AYUSH Courses from 2018

According to the draft bill, the Ministry of AYUSH will hold National Teachers Eligibility Test for the appointment of teachers in AYUSH institutes across the country. The ministry has also planned to conduct NEET for the admission to undergraduate AYUSH courses from the next academic session. However, the ministry is in a dilemma whether to merge the entrance test with NEET or hold separate entrance exam. The ministry confirmed that 50% of marks are mandatory for the candidates in order to be eligible for the admission to UG AYUSH courses.