National
Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM)
Prelims:
Health
Mains:
GS Paper II-Health
Current relevance:
The National Commission for Indian System of
Medicine (NCISM) issued a circular on 29
July 2026 clarifying that qualified and registered practitioners of recognised
Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) cannot
legally be described as "quacks" or "bogus doctors" merely because they practise traditional medicine.
Highlights:
About
National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM):
1.
It is a statutory regulator established under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020 and it functions under the Ministry of Ayush, Government
of India.
2.
NCISM regulates
the following recognised Indian Systems of Medicine Ayurveda, Unani,
Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa.
3.
Aims to ensure quality medical education, transparent regulation of institutions and
practitioners, and the availability of qualified professionals in the
Indian Systems of Medicine.
4.
It also
maintains uniform standards
of medical education, professional ethics, and regulatory oversight across recognised
traditional systems of medicine.
Objective of the Circular:
1.
NCISM clarified
that qualified and
registered practitioners holding
recognised ISM degrees and registered under the NCISM Act are legally recognised medical practitioners and cannot be labelled as "quacks" or "bogus
doctors."
2.
The
clarification was issued following reports that registered ISM practitioners
were being labelled as fake doctors, criticised in the media, targeted through
public notices, and subjected to harassment, with the aim of protecting their professional
standing and preventing misinformation.
3.
The circular
recognises ISM practitioners as legally recognised medical practitioners
within their own systems of medicine, but does not equate them with MBBS
doctors or automatically authorise them to practise modern (allopathic)
medicine.
4.
Judicial
Position:
The Supreme Court has held that practitioners cannot practise a system of medicine for
which they are not qualified, and
cross-practice is permissible only
where specifically authorised under law.
5.
About
Quack:
It generally refers to a person who falsely claims medical qualifications or practises medicine without the required qualifications or legal registration.
Source: THE HINDU - https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/what-does-nscims-latest-order-say-about-ayush-doctors-explained/article71289017.ece