The Doctor Debate: Traditional Indian Medicine vs. Modern Medicine

✍️ By Suryavanshi IAS | GS II & GS III | Indian Polity • Governance • Health • Science and Tech

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🔍 CONTEXT

A recent public spat between a hepatologist and an Indian chess Grand Master on platform X (formerly Twitter) has reignited the long-standing debate over the status and scope of traditional Indian medical practitioners — especially those practising Ayurveda and Unani.

This issue is not merely semantic (who can be called a "doctor") but has deep public health, legal, and political implications, making it an important topic for UPSC aspirants.

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📚 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

🔸 The Bhore Committee (1946)

• Advocated for modern, evidence-based medicine.

• Recommended phasing out traditional systems in public health.

• Marked the beginning of a policy tilt toward modern medical science.

🔸 Committee on Indigenous Systems of Medicine (1948)

• Formed in response to protests by traditional medicine practitioners.

• Framed the debate in communal and cultural terms, equating Ayurveda with Vedic heritage.

🔸 Indian Medicine Central Council Act (1970)

• Enacted under Indira Gandhi, granted legal recognition to Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems.

🔸 National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act (2020)

• Modern replacement of the 1970 Act, aimed at strengthening regulation and education of AYUSH practitioners.

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⚖️ LEGAL DIMENSION

🔹 Rule 2(ee) of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945

• Defines “registered medical practitioner”.

• Allows State Governments to declare who can practice modern medicine in certain contexts.

🔹 Dr. Mukhtiar Chand v. State of Punjab (1998)

• Supreme Court ruled that Ayurvedic practitioners cannot prescribe modern (allopathic) medicines.

🔹 Recent State Actions

• Despite SC judgment, many states continue to permit Ayurvedic doctors to prescribe antibiotics and other modern drugs, leading to frequent litigation by bodies like the Indian Medical Association.

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🔬 CORE ISSUES

🔸 Can Ayurvedic practitioners be called “doctors”?

• While legally registered, they follow a different medical philosophy, not grounded in germ theory or evidence-based practice.

🔸 Can they prescribe allopathic medicines or perform surgeries?

• Several states illegally or controversially allow such practices.

• 2020 Notification permitted Ayurvedic postgraduates to perform 58 types of surgeries.

• The constitutionality of this is pending before courts.

🔸 Public Confusion and Legal Complaints

• Patients often mistake BAMS practitioners for MBBS doctors, leading to consumer fraud cases.

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⚠️ PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

• Hiring of BAMS graduates in modern hospitals (at lower pay) raises concerns about quality of care.

• Possibility of antibiotic misuse and incorrect procedures.

• Insurance expansion under Ayushman Bharat to include AYUSH treatments may divert taxpayer money to unproven systems.

• ₹20,000 crore already spent on AYUSH research, with limited output in peer-reviewed evidence.

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🏛️ POLITICAL INFLUENCE

🔹 Rise of “Hindu Pride” Narrative

• Ayurveda framed as a symbol of ancient Indian superiority, linked with Hindutva rhetoric.

• Claims like test tube Kauravas and Pushpak Vimana weaken rational policymaking.

🔹 Bipartisan Support

• Even the 2024 Congress Manifesto promised support to “all systems of medicine”, showing populist consensus despite public health risks.

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🔑 UPSC PRELIMS POINTERS

✔️ Bhore Committee – 1946, emphasized modern medicine
✔️ Drugs & Cosmetics Act – 1940; Rule 2(ee) crucial
✔️ National Commission for ISM Act – 2020
✔️ Mukhtiar Chand case – 1998 Supreme Court judgment
✔️ AYUSH systems – Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy
✔️ Ayushman Bharat – Health insurance scheme including AYUSH?

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✍️ MAINS PERSPECTIVE

Q. The integration of traditional medicine into public healthcare raises critical legal and ethical concerns. Discuss in light of recent debates on the role of AYUSH practitioners in India’s health system.

Structure Your Answer As:

1. Introduction: Context of the debate

2. Body:

   • Historical and legal background

   • Public health risks

   • Judicial positions

   • Role of federal structure (States vs Centre)

   • Political pressures

3. Conclusion: Emphasize need for evidence-based integration with proper regulation.

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🧠 FINAL INSIGHT

In a country as diverse as India, traditional medicine cannot be ignored — but blind faith or political romanticism should never override scientific reasoning and public safety. UPSC aspirants must understand the interplay of governance, law, and culture in shaping India's healthcare landscape.

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