Kerala, that takes pride in its ayurvedic tradition and aggressively markets it overseas, has not received permission to set up a new ayurveda college in the state in the past three years.
In the academic year 2020-21, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine granted permission to only one college in India to start Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) course. In 2021-22, the numbers jumped to 35 and this academic year 47 colleges were given permission to start BAMS courses. However, most colleges are in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka.
According to the experts in ayurveda, the main reason for this is the ‘s decision not to set up any new private Ayurveda college in the state as it has reached stagnation. Another major reason is decreasing interest for the BAMS course.