Union Budget 2026: Major boost for ayurveda; 3 new national institutes proposed

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda to strengthen research and innovation in traditional medicine.

Presenting the Union Budget 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha, she noted that Ayurveda has gained significant global recognition since the COVID-19 pandemic. High-quality Ayurveda products, she said, benefit farmers cultivating medicinal herbs as well as young people engaged in processing and production.

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To meet rising international demand, Sitharaman outlined plans to upgrade Ayush pharmacies and drug testing laboratories to higher certification standards, while expanding the pool of skilled professionals in the sector.

Highlighting India’s cultural contributions, the minister recalled how yoga achieved worldwide recognition when Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced it at the United Nations. She added that Ayurveda has since experienced similar acceptance on the global stage.

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Sitharaman also called for strengthening the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, with a focus on evidence-based research, training and awareness to further promote traditional healthcare systems.