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Ayurveda Courses in India have become a common part of formal medical education. But in its informal form Ayurvedic Courses in India have been existing since the advent of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian Subcontinent and practised in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine. The word Ayurveda originated from the two Sanskrit words, 'Ayur' meaning life and 'Veda' meaning knowledge. Ayurvedic practitioners have identified a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for curing various ailments and diseases, not completely curable in other systems. Many of its methods such as herbs and massage, can be applied along with other systems, too. Ayurvedic medicines are rapidly gaining acceptance all over the world as they have no side effects and is found to have cures for even rare ailments. Ayurvedic practitioners are traditionally known as 'Vaidyas'.

List of Ayurveda courses in India

Some of its specialized fields are -

• Kayachikitsa - Internal Medicine.
• Shalya chikitsa - Surgery.
• Bala chikitsa - Paediatrics.
• Graha chikitsa - Bhoot Vidya - Psychiatry.
• Urdhvanga chikitsa - Treatment of eyes, ears, nose, throat and head.
• Damstra chikitsa - Agad Tantra - Toxicology.
• Jara chikitsa - Rasayana- Gerentorology.
• Vrishya chikitsa - Vajikarana- Aphrodisiacs.

Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

1. Sanskrit.
2. Padartha Vigyan.
3. Charak Samhita (Uttarardha).
4. Streeroga & Prasuti Tantra.

Objectives

• To use holistic approach while treating patients so as to get rid of ailments once and for all.
• To improve the health of the masses.
• To foster pioneering research and treatment.

Basic Requirements and Education

• Eligibility required to join B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery) is Higher Secondary / P.U.C. preferably with Sanskrit or an examination equivalent there to, or Intermediate (Ayurvedic group- Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Sanskrit) of any recognised University / Board which confirms to the specifications approved by the Council.
• Minimum age of joining for BAMS course is 17 years.
• Some institutions also offers certificate courses or  Pre-Ayurvedic courses of 1 year to 2 years. Eligibility needed for such course is S.S.L.C./ Matriculation preferably with Sanskrit or an examination equivalent. Main entrance exams for admission to a Bachelors degree in Ayurveda include, 'All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Exam' conducted by Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE), Delhi on a national level to select the candidates at an all India level (except in the states of Jammu & Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh ) for admission to roughly 15% of the total  seats in the colleges of each state, Pre-med entrance exam conducted by different states on their own for domiciled candidates.
• Some national level institutions where admission does not hinge on domicile status, give admission on the basis of merit in the 10+2 examination, or conducts their own entrance test for admission to BAMS courses.
• Candidates who have passed BAMS can apply for post graduate programmes. The Post graduate programmes are conducted by many recognised  institutions and has a duration of 3 years leading to degrees of Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda (M.D. (Ayu) and Master of Surgery in Ayurveda (M.S. (Ayu).
• Ayurvedic Education in India is presently monitored by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) -  http://www.ccimindia.org, a Statutory Central Government body. At present there are about 154 recognized Under-graduate and 33 Post-graduate Ayurvedic Colleges in India. The five and half year under-graduate programs in Ayurveda lead to a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (B.A.M.S.).  Post-graduate programs is structured into16 branches leading to a Doctorate in Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic Institutes in India

1. University of Health Science, Vijayawada.
2. Dr. MGR Medical University, Guindy, Chennai.
3. Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded.
4. Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore.
5. National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur.
6. Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (National Academy of Ayurveda), New Delhi.
7. Mahatma Gandhi Gramoday Vishwavidyalay, Chitrakoot.
8. Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar.

Click here for – List of Ayurvedic Colleges in India

Job Perspectives

Ayurveda has become very popular among the tourists especially foreigners. Patients from all over the world are coming to India for Ayurveda treatment. With the popularity of the system the demand for Ayurvedic doctors are on the rise.  An Ayurvedic practitioner can get employment as medical officer/doctor at government and private Ayurvedic hospitals. One can also start his/ her own practice or open one’s own retail shop of Ayurveda medicines. They can also find employment as supervisors in 'Panch Karma' (Ayurvedic massage) / health centres, as tutors in Ayurvedic colleges or do research, conduct workshops, seminars and retreats. One can also start his/ her own practice or open one’s own retail shop of Ayurveda medicines. Nowadays, Ayurvedic treatments are gaining much more importance. The number of Pharmaceutical companies manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines is increasing and the medicines are getting popular even in other countries. In some of the states in India, it has been made mandatory to appoint at least one Ayurvedic Doctor in every civil hospital. There are many job opportunities both in India and abroad especially in the US, UK, Germany and Italy.

Earning - In government Ayurveda hospitals the starting salary scale is Rs.8000-13500 for BAMS graduates. Tutors in Ayurveda colleges get more than Rs 8000/- per month. In private practice the remuneration depends totally on the effort you put in and your professional reputation. Dedicated and competent practitioners can earn more. 

Some Job Types

• Researcher.
• Teacher.
• Ayurvedic supervisors.
• Medical officer.
• Therapist.
• Nurse.

Some Employment Areas

1. Pharmaceutical companies.
2. Health centres.
3. Hospitals.
4. Educational institutes.
5. Pancha Karma (massage) Centres.