About Research in Ayurveda and Siddha Conceptual Aspect

Ayurveda and Siddha have been in vogue in India from the earliest times and serve the medical needs of most of our people. These systems were developed by ancient scholars on the basis of their own philosophy, oriental methodologies and practices prevalent in that era and have popularised and almost completed it in all aspects as a system of medicine. The advent of foreign invasions and cross-cultural interaction had a definite impact on these systems, except the British who did not encourage these systems.

The beginning of twentieth century saw efforts to revive these systems. The members of the Imperial Legislative Council passed a resolution to investigate and recognize these systems and it was accepted in the year 1916. The Indian National Congress also passed a similar resolution in 1920. This led to the establishment of a number of colleges of Ayurveda.

In the post independence era, the efforts to develop research gained momentum. As per recommendations of the various Committees grant-in-aid projects were sanctioned to selected colleges. The Central Council for Ayurvedic Research as an Advisory body was established in 1962 and finally the Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (CCRIM&H) was established in 1969. This Council initiated research programmes in the Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy in different parts of the country and started coordination at the National level for the first time.

The Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha (CCRAS), an apex body r the formulation, coordination and development of research in Ayurveda & Siddha on scientific lines was established in March 1978 after reorganisation of CCRIM&H. The Minister of Health & Family Welfare is the President of the Governing Body of the Council, while the Joint Secretary chairs the Standing Finance Committee. The Scientific/Research Programmes are supervised by the respective Scientific Advisory Committees chaired by eminent scholars of the system.

The Council has been executing its research programmes with a network of 86 research projects (about 30 major institutes/centres and 56 small units) with the headquarters office responsible for control, monitoring and supervision. The CCRAS has now been reorganised in 33 institutes/centres. Research work of the Council is executed by 1260 officers and staff, though the sanctioned strength of officers and staff is 2319.

The research programme under this Council were broadly categorised into Clinical Research (including Health Care Research), Drug Research (including Survey and Cultivation), Drug Standardisation, Pharmacological & Toxicological Studies, Literary Research (along with Documentation & Publications) and Family Welfare Research ( both clinical and experimental). The website provides a brief account of the important achievements made by the Council over the past 30 years as well as important programmes in progress.