AYUSH — Pathways & Career Options
Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Yoga & Naturopathy. 52,720 seats, NEET score required, separate regulatory framework.
52,720
Total AYUSH seats
BAMS / BHMS / BUMS / BSMS · AACCC 2026
NEET UG
Score required
For all AYUSH UG admissions
AACCC
Central counselling
+ State AYUSH counselling
AYUSH systems — regulatory overview
| System | Degree | Regulator | Ministry | Approx. seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayurveda | BAMS | CCIM | Ministry of AYUSH | ~30,000+ (BAMS) |
| Homoeopathy | BHMS | CCH | Ministry of AYUSH | ~13,000+ (BHMS) |
| Unani | BUMS | CCIM | Ministry of AYUSH | ~5,000+ (BUMS) |
| Siddha | BSMS | CCIM | Ministry of AYUSH | ~2,000+ (BSMS) |
| Sowa-Rigpa | BSSR | CCIM | Ministry of AYUSH | Limited — Himalayan region colleges |
| Yoga & Naturopathy | BNYS | No independent statutory commission | Ministry of AYUSH (oversight) | Varies — UGC + state affiliations |
Source: CCIM, CCH, Ministry of AYUSH. BNYS regulated under UGC/state affiliations — verify at the specific institution.
Admissions & counselling
AACCC (Ayush Admissions Central Counselling Committee) handles central allocation of AYUSH seats in Central Universities, National Institutes of Ayurveda, and other centrally managed institutions. NEET UG score is used for ranking.
The remaining seats (majority) are allocated through State AYUSH Counselling in each state. Processes vary by state — verify with the state AYUSH directorate.
LiveVerified Jun 2026NEP 2020 — does it apply to AYUSH?
NEP 2020 does NOT apply to AYUSH degrees.
NEP 2020 applies to the UGC framework for general higher education. AYUSH education is governed by CCIM (Central Council of Indian Medicine) under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act 1970, and CCH (Central Council of Homoeopathy) under the Homoeopathy Central Council Act 1973 — both under the Ministry of AYUSH. NEP 2020 credit transfer, multiple entry/exit, and flexibility provisions do NOT apply to AYUSH degree programmes.
Postgraduate options
MD (Ayurveda)
3-year PG programme in various Ayurvedic specialities. State and central processes. Regulated by CCIM.
MD (Homoeopathy)
3-year PG programme in Homoeopathy specialities. State processes + some NBE DNB pathways. Regulated by CCH.
MD (Unani) / MD (Siddha)
3-year PG programmes. Regulated by CCIM. State and institutional processes.
DNB (AYUSH pathways via NBE)
Some AYUSH PG programmes are offered through NBE Diplomate National Board (DNB) pathways. Verify with NBE for current available programmes.
Career scope
Government jobs
State government AYUSH departments employ BAMS/BHMS/BUMS/BSMS graduates as medical officers. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and state PSCs have AYUSH cadres.
Private practice
AYUSH graduates can practise within the scope defined by their respective regulatory council (CCIM or CCH). Scope of practice is defined by state-level acts and the central regulatory acts.
Research
Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), and similar bodies hire AYUSH graduates for clinical and basic research.
Pharmacy & industry
AYUSH pharmaceutical sector (OTC products, patent medicines, wellness). Many FMCG and pharma companies have AYUSH product lines.
Academia
Teaching positions in AYUSH colleges after completing PG (MD Ayurveda, MD Homoeopathy, etc.). Regulated by CCIM/CCH faculty norms.
Abroad
Recognition varies by country. Ayurveda has recognition in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and some European countries. Homoeopathy is widely practised in several countries. Verify country-specific recognition before planning an international career.
Bridge course — legal & policy context
This section is informational only. Bridge courses are NOT a recognised national career pathway and remain legally contested.
NMC Act 2019 — national position
The NMC Act 2019 does NOT authorise AYUSH practitioners to practise allopathy (modern medicine). The Indian Medical Association (IMA) position is that Section 34 of the NMCA prohibits cross-practice. This is the national legal position.
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India has held that homoeopathy practitioners cannot prescribe allopathy drugs. This ruling reinforces the national position against cross-practice.
Maharashtra — state-level development (contested)
Maharashtra: A bridge course was offered under the Maharashtra Council for Complementary and Modern Medicines (CCMP). Over 15,000 homoeopaths are reported to have completed the course under the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act 2014. Maharashtra FDA issued a directive in 2024 in this regard.
Telangana HC 2025 — homoeopaths cannot prescribe allopathy
The Telangana High Court (Criminal Petition 9871/2025) held that homoeopathy practitioners cannot prescribe allopathy drugs. This is consistent with the national legal position and directly contests state-level bridge course claims.
EduPath presents the bridge course as a state-level development in Maharashtra, legally contested at the national level and in the High Courts, and NOT a recognised national career pathway. Students should not make career decisions based on bridge course provisions without consulting a qualified legal and career adviser.
NEET score in hand? Explore AYUSH options with a counsellor.
Our counsellors can guide you through AACCC vs state counselling, seat matrix, and speciality options.
Book a counselling sessionCCIM — Central Council of Indian Medicine
Source: Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) · EduPath verified Jun 2026
Visit official sourceCCH — Central Council of Homoeopathy
Source: Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH) · EduPath verified Jun 2026
Visit official sourceAACCC — Ayush Admissions Central Counselling Committee
Source: Ministry of AYUSH / AACCC · EduPath verified Jun 2026
Visit official source