What does NSCIM’s latest order say about AYUSH doctors | Explained
The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has issued a circular clarifying that registered practitioners of traditional Indian medicine are legally recognized and should not be labeled as 'quacks.' The order aims to protect these professionals from harassment and defamatory campaigns while noting that their authority to practice modern medicine remains subject to specific state laws.
Why it matters
This clarification addresses the ongoing tension between traditional and modern medical systems in India, providing legal protection to practitioners while maintaining regulatory boundaries.
The story so far: The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has issued a circular clarifying that qualified and registered practitioners of India’s recognised systems of traditional medicine cannot legally be described as “quacks” or “bogus doctors” simply because they practise Indian systems of medicine. The clarification comes after the regulator said many practitioners were being subjected to harassment and defamatory public campaigns.
According to the circular dated July 29, 2026, doctors who hold recognised qualifications such as BAMS (Ayurveda), BUMS (Unani), BSMS (Siddha) or BSRMS (Sowa-Rigpa), and are registered under the provisions of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, are legally recognised medical practitioners. The regulator says there is no legal basis for calling such registered practitioners “quacks” or “bogus doctors” merely because they belong to the Indian System of Medicine (ISM).
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