Career in Ayurveda

What: Ayurveda means the “science of life”. It originated in India more than 5,000 years old and is believed to be the oldest healing science in existence, from which all other systems emerged. This ancient healing system has three main focuses Healing illness, Prevention of disease and Longevity or age reversal. Ayurveda provides both curative and preventive measures towards optimal physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

The word “Ayurveda” is from the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit, and literally means “Knowledge of Life”. Inherent in Ayurveda principles is the concept that you are capable of taking charge of your own life and healing. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term, made up of the words “ayus” and “veda.” “Ayus” means life and “Veda” means knowledge or science. The term “ayurveda” thus means ‘the knowledge of life’ or ‘the science of life’. According to the ancient Ayurvedic scholar Charaka, “ayu” comprises the mind, body, senses and the soul.

How: 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. Nowadays Ayurvedic treatments are gaining much more importance.

The number of Pharmaceutical companies manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines are increasing and the medicines are getting popular even in other countries. Patients from all over the world are coming to India for Ayurvedic treatment. More and more ‘Pancha Karma Centres’ are coming up for serving the tourists especially foreigners. With the popularity of the system the demand for Ayurvedic doctors are on the rise. In some of the states in India, it has been made mandatory to appoint at least one Ayurvedic Doctor in every civil hospital. So Ayurveda graduates have a bright scope in future.

The Ayurvedic Colleges of India awards the Degree of “Ayurvedacharya” or B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery) at the bachelor level. Duration of B.A.M.S is 51/2 years/61/2 years including Internship.

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.

Main entrance exams for admission to a Bachelor’s 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 are 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.

Where: Ayurvedic Education in India is presently monitored by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), (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.

Institutions: (see below)