The Ministry of AYUSH was formed on 9th November’ 2014. Earlier it was known as the Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H) which was created in March 1995 and renamed as Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in November 2003, with a view to provide focused attention for the development of Education and Research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.

Objectives:

1. To upgrade the educational standards of Indian Systems of Medicines and Homoeopathy colleges in the country.
2. To strengthen existing research institutions and to ensure a time-bound research programme on identified diseases for which these systems have an effective treatment.
3. To draw up schemes for promotion, cultivation and regeneration of medicinal plants used in these systems.
4. To evolve Pharmacopoeial standards for Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy drugs.