It is nothing short of a national irony that at a time when the world is rediscovering the value of traditional and alternative systems of medicine, India—the cradle of Ayurveda—fails to properly nurture one of its own Ayurvedic institutions. The disturbing condition of Jammu Ayurvedic College stands as a stark reminder of how administrative apathy, regulatory violations and chronic neglect can cripple even the most promising establishments.
Established in 2017 amid high expectations, the College today survives more in form than in substance. Nearly a decade later, it continues to function without meeting basic academic, administrative or infrastructural norms. The story of Jammu Ayurvedic College is not one of sudden failure but of systemic erosion—marked by disregard for regulations, erosion of merit-based governance, and an alarming absence of corrective intent.
The most glaring violation is the continued absence of a qualified Ayurvedic Principal. For years, the Government has permitted an allopathic doctor—usually the Principal of GMC Jammu—to hold additional charge of the Ayurvedic College. This arrangement is not only in clear violation of the National Commission of Indian System of Medicines (NCISM) Act but also deeply disrespectful to the discipline of Ayurveda itself. Academic leadership in any medical system requires subject expertise. Expecting someone without grounding in Ayurvedic philosophy to guide curriculum, regulate departments or mentor faculty is both structurally flawed and academically indefensible.
Equally troubling is the acute shortage of teaching faculty. In what can only be described as a makeshift and unsustainable arrangement, doctors posted in the field are summoned twice a week to deliver lectures. The mandatory student–teacher ratio of one lecturer for every five students exists only on paper. Departments are often headed by professionals whose specialisations bear no relevance to the subjects they are assigned—surgeons teaching anatomy or paediatricians overseeing wellness centres—reducing academic standards to a hollow formality.
The situation worsens when one examines faculty promotions. Contractual appointees have reportedly been elevated to Associate Professor level and even considered for Professorship, in blatant violation of NCISM regulations that prohibit counting temporary engagements for senior academic eligibility. Meanwhile, regular recruitment through the Public Service Commission has been indefinitely stalled. Aspirants were made to apply twice, fees were collected, yet examinations were never conducted. Such inertia suggests either administrative incompetence or deliberate evasion—both equally unacceptable.
Infrastructure, the backbone of any medical college, is virtually absent. Shockingly, Jammu Ayurvedic College does not have a functional teaching hospital in proximity. The Ayurvedic Hospital at Indira Chowk was shifted nearly 40 kilometres away to Sanghani, Akhnoor, making daily clinical training impractical. Without an attached hospital, diagnostic labs, drug testing facilities or an animal house for research, no medical institution—traditional or modern—can function meaningfully.
It is therefore no surprise that the College received a C Grade from NCISM for the academic year 2024–25. Unless urgent corrective measures are undertaken, the institution risks severe regulatory action, including freezing of admissions or derecognition of courses.
This neglect is especially tragic given the context. Jammu and Kashmir’s Himalayan region is rich in medicinal flora. Institutions like the Regional Research Laboratory (now IIIM Jammu) have historically contributed valuable Ayurvedic formulations. The region holds immense potential to emerge as a centre of integrative medicine. Yet, patients seeking specialised Ayurvedic therapies often leave disappointed—not because the tradition lacks merit, but because the institution lacks capacity.
If the Government is genuinely committed to promoting Ayurveda, symbolic gestures will not suffice. What is required is immediate institutional reform: appointment of qualified leadership, transparent recruitment, strict adherence to regulations, and serious investment in infrastructure. The crisis of Jammu Ayurvedic College is not merely administrative—it is a test of India’s commitment to its own medical heritage. Allowing Ayurveda to wither in its homeland would be the greatest irony of all.
