The Union Ministry of AYUSH has announced a major expansion plan to embed homoeopathic treatment centres within India’s primary healthcare infrastructure, backed by ₹500 crore in new funding. The initiative aims to address the shortage of allopathic doctors in rural India while providing affordable treatment options for chronic diseases.

New Delhi, April 2026 — Marking World Homoeopathy Day, the Central government unveiled an ambitious policy framework to station qualified homoeopathic practitioners at over 15,000 Health and Wellness Centres across the country by 2028, signalling a decisive shift toward integrative medicine in public health delivery.

Why Is the Government Expanding Homoeopathy’s Role Now?

India faces a critical shortage of nearly 600,000 allopathic doctors, with rural areas bearing the brunt of this deficit. The AYUSH Ministry sees homoeopathy as a cost-effective bridge to extend healthcare access to underserved populations. Union AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav stated that homoeopathy’s emphasis on individualised treatment aligns with India’s goal of preventive and holistic healthcare under Ayushman Bharat. The policy also responds to rising public interest in alternative medicine, with government surveys indicating that 45% of rural households have used AYUSH treatments in the past year.

What Are the Key Features of This Initiative?

• Deployment of 25,000 homoeopathic doctors to primary health centres over three years
• ₹500 crore allocated for infrastructure, medicine procurement, and practitioner training
• New curriculum guidelines requiring evidence-based protocols for homoeopathic treatments
• Digital health records integration to track patient outcomes under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
• Research grants for clinical trials validating homoeopathic interventions in chronic disease management

What Do Critics and Experts Say?

The Indian Medical Association has raised concerns about the scientific validity of homoeopathic treatments, urging the government to prioritise expanding MBBS seats instead. However, proponents argue that integrative models have succeeded in Germany and Switzerland, where homoeopathy is part of regulated healthcare systems. Dr Anil Khurana, former Director General of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, emphasised that rigorous quality control and outcome monitoring can address efficacy concerns. The government has mandated that homoeopathic practitioners work alongside allopathic doctors rather than replace them.

What Happens Next?

The Ministry will release detailed implementation guidelines by June 2026, with pilot programmes launching in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. States will receive matching grants to establish district-level AYUSH hospitals with dedicated homoeopathy wings. The policy’s success will likely hinge on transparent outcome data and public trust, with the first nationwide review scheduled for December 2027. If effective, this model could reshape how India approaches primary healthcare in resource-constrained settings.