E-ISSN:2456-3110

Editorial

NCISM's Vision

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 8 August
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Quality Assurance in Ayurveda Institutions: NCISM's Vision and the Role of QCI

Baragi UC1*, Ganer JM2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.8.1

1* Umapati C Baragi, Associate Professor and HOD, Dept of Samhita Siddhanta and Sanskrit, Faculty of Ayurved, Main Campus, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.

2 Jyoti M Ganer, Professor and HOD, Department of Agadtantra Evum Vidhi Vaidyak, Uttaranchal Ayurvedic College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.

The rapid transformation of Ayurveda education in India has brought the dual imperatives of regulatory reform and quality assurance into sharp focus. The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has undertaken major initiatives to restructure Ayurveda institutions through competency-based education, standardized infrastructure norms, and institutional performance ratings. Simultaneously, the Quality Council of India (QCI) has emerged as a critical partner, offering independent evaluations, third-party accreditations, and institutional benchmarking aligned with global standards. This article examines the collaborative efforts of NCISM and QCI in shaping a transparent, accountable, and excellence-driven academic ecosystem within Ayurveda colleges. It highlights the significance of QCI's frameworks - such as NABET and NABH - in enhancing educational outcomes, clinical preparedness, and institutional credibility. Through this integration, the traditional wisdom of Ayurveda is being empowered to meet modern pedagogical expectations and global healthcare benchmarks, marking a pivotal shift in India's integrative medical education landscape.

Keywords: NCISM, Quality Council of India (QCI), NABET, NABH, Ayurveda education reform, Institutional grading, MES Regulations 2024, Accreditation

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Umapati C Baragi, Associate Professor and HOD, Dept of Samhita Siddhanta and Sanskrit, Faculty of Ayurved, Main Campus, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
Email: 		Baragi UC, Ganer JM, Quality Assurance in Ayurveda Institutions: NCISM's Vision and the Role of QCI. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(8):1-4.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4997/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-06-09 2025-06-21 2025-07-01 2025-07-11 2025-07-21
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© 2025 by Baragi UC, Ganer JM and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(8)1
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Umapati CB et al. Quality Assurance in Ayurveda Institutions

Introduction

The evolving landscape of Ayurveda education in India demands rigorous oversight, structured innovation, and consistent benchmarks to ensure its global relevance. As apex regulatory authority, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has taken transformative strides in elevating standards of Ayurveda institutions through targeted reforms and performance-based policies. In tandem, Quality Council of India (QCI) - a national body dedicated to accreditation and quality assurance - has emerged as a key partner in institutional grading, capacity building, and third-party evaluations of colleges and teaching hospitals.

Together, NCISM and QCI form a synergistic alliance aimed at fostering transparency, excellence, and accountability in Ayurveda education. This article explores how their collaborative framework is redefining quality assurance across Ayurveda institutions, strengthening the credibility of traditional medical education while aligning it with contemporary pedagogical standards.

NCISM Initiatives in Ayurveda Colleges

  • Minimum Essential Standards (MES) Regulations, 2024

NCISM has notified MES for undergraduate Ayurveda colleges and attached teaching hospitals, setting benchmarks for infrastructure, faculty, curriculum, and clinical exposure.[1]

  • Assessment and Rating Framework

A comprehensive evaluation system has been introduced, covering 11 key criteria such as curriculum quality, clinical training, teaching-learning environment, research output, and stakeholder feedback.[2]

  • Integration with QCI

NCISM has partnered with NABET (National Accreditation Board for Education and Training) to implement third-party assessments and institutional grading.[3]

  • Grading System for Colleges

Ayurveda colleges are now graded from A to D based on performance. Only A and B grade colleges are eligible to start new PG courses or expand UG seats.[4]

  • Promotion of Competency-Based Curric-ulum

Emphasis on outcome-based learning, skill labs, and early clinical exposure to align Ayurveda education with modern pedagogical standards.

Why QCI Is Needed in Ayurveda Colleges

  • Standardization Across Institutions

QCI ensures that all Ayurveda colleges meet uniform quality benchmarks, reducing disparities between institutions.

  • Transparency and Accountability

Independent third-party assessments by QCI enhance public trust, especially in fee structures, faculty qualifications, and clinical services.

  • Global Recognition

Accreditation by QCI aligns Ayurveda institutions with international standards, facilitating global collaborations and student mobility.

  • Informed Student Choices

Ratings empower students to choose colleges based on verified quality metrics, rather than anecdotal reputation.

  • Eligibility for Expansion

Only QCI-rated colleges with higher grades can apply for seat enhancement or new course approvals, incentivizing quality improvement.

QCI’s Role in Accreditation

  • NABET Collaboration

NCISM partnered with NABET, a constituent board of QCI, to conduct third-party assessments of Ayur-veda colleges. This collaboration ensures transpa-rency and credibility in institutional evaluations.[5]

  • Quality Assurance Systems

QCI’s frameworks emphasize continual improvement through feedback mechanisms, internal audit & acc-reditation of laboratories & hospitals. These systems align Ayurveda education with global standards.

  • Impact on Student Decision-Making

Literature suggests that the rating system empowers students to make informed choices based on verified institutional performance, rather than anecdotal reputation.


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Umapati CB et al. Quality Assurance in Ayurveda Institutions

Discussion

The implementation of quality assurance mechanisms in Ayurveda colleges through the collaborative efforts of NCISM and QCI marks a significant shift in the governance and credibility of traditional medical education in India. This section explores the implications, challenges, and transformative potential of these reforms.

Institutional Impact and Academic Transformation

The Minimum Essential Standards (MES) Regulations, 2024, introduced by NCISM, have redefined the operational benchmarks for Ayurveda colleges. These standards, when coupled with QCI’s third-party assessment frameworks, have led to:

  • Structured academic environments with measurable learning outcomes
  • Enhanced faculty accountability through qualification audits and teaching evaluations
  • Improved clinical exposure via regulated hospital infrastructure and patient load metrics
  • Transparent institutional grading, empowering students and stakeholders to make informed decisions

The Assessment and Rating Framework evaluates colleges across 11 criteria, including curriculum, research output, and stakeholder feedback. This multidimensional approach ensures that institutions are not only compliant but also competitive.

Role of QCI in Strengthening Ayurveda Education

The Quality Council of India (QCI), through its boards like NABET and NABH, has introduced rigorous accreditation protocols that align Ayurveda colleges with global quality standards. These include:

  • NABET’s educational audits, which assess teaching-learning processes, faculty development, and curriculum delivery
  • NABH’s hospital accreditation, ensuring safety, hygiene, and ethical clinical practices[6]
  • Quality Assurance Systems (QAS) that promote continual improvement through feedback loops and internal audits.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the reforms have been largely welcomed, certain challenges persist:

  • Initial resistance from institutions unfamiliar with quality protocols
  • Documentation overload and the need for capacity building in administrative teams
  • Balancing tradition with modern metrics, especially in evaluating classical Ayurvedic education practices.

However, these challenges are being addressed through faculty sensitization programs, IQAC-led initiatives, and policy support from NCISM, paving the way for a more robust and globally recognized Ayurveda education system.

Broader Implications

The NCISM-QCI partnership is not just a regulatory exercise - it is a paradigm shift. By embedding quality assurance into the DNA of Ayurveda institutions, India is positioning itself as a leader in integrative medical education. This model could serve as a blueprint for other traditional systems worldwide, fostering evidence-based practice, academic excellence, and international collaboration.

Conclusion

The integration of NCISM's policy reforms with the Quality Council of India’s (QCI) accreditation and benchmarking systems, represents a critical step toward elevating the academic and clinical standards of Ayurveda institutions. By enforcing transparency, institutional accountability, and measurable performance indicators, this collaboration is nurturing an ecosystem where traditional wisdom meets modern educational rigor.

Ayurveda colleges embracing these reforms are witnessing improved teaching methodologies, enhanced infrastructure, and increased trust among students and stakeholders. With tools like NABET and NABH accreditation, these institutions are not only aligning with national mandates but also preparing for global recognition and collaborations. Moving forward, sustained faculty engagement, administrative readiness, and policy-backed incentives will be key to embedding a culture of continuous quality improvement.


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Umapati CB et al. Quality Assurance in Ayurveda Institutions

Through this visionary alignment, NCISM and QCI are laying the foundation for a resilient and globally respected Ayurveda education system - one that honors tradition while driving innovation.

References

1. National Commission for Indian System of Medicine. Minimum Essential Standards, Assessment and Rating for Undergraduate Ayurveda Colleges and Attached Teaching Hospitals Regulations, 2024. New Delhi: NCISM; 2024. . [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

2. NCISM. Framework for Assessment and Rating of Ayurveda Colleges for the A. Y. 2025–26. New Delhi: NCISM; 2024. Available from: [Article][Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

3. Quality Council of India. About QCI and its constituent boards. New Delhi: QCI; 2023. Available from: https://qcin. org [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

4. Anand Katti. The dawn of assessment and rating for institutions of Indian System of Medicine. RGUHS J AYUSH Sci. 2024;11(1):v. Available from: [Article][Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

5. NABET. Accreditation of Education and Training Institutions. New Delhi: Quality Council of India; 2023. Available from: https://nabet. qci.org.in [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

6. NABH. Hospital Accreditation Standards for AYUSH Hospitals. New Delhi: Quality Council of India; 2023. Available from: https://nabh. co [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

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