Posted in

Major Change: Gujarat Renames Ayurvedic & Unani Medical Body

•Posted inMedical Updates
Doctor comparing neurology and neurosurgery career paths, highlighting differences in training, practice, and medical specialisation choices

Understanding the Gujarat Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2025

The Gujarat state assembly recently passed the Gujarat Medical Bill, officially known as the Gujarat Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill, 2025. This significant legislative change aims to modernize the regulatory framework for Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners within the state. Consequently, the former ‘Gujarat Board of Ayurvedic and Unani Systems of Medicine’ will now operate under a new designation: the ‘Gujarat Council of Ayurvedic and Unani Systems of Medicine’. Health minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed the bill’s unanimous passage, highlighting its purpose to regulate and maintain the registration of these traditional medicine practitioners. [5]

Aligning State Regulations with National Standards

This amendment directly responds to the implementation of the National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine Act, 2020 (NCISM Act 2020) by the Government of India. The NCISM Act 2020 introduced comprehensive guidelines, stipulating that the term ‘Board’ can only be used for four specific boards at the central government level. [9] Therefore, the name change from ‘Board’ to ‘Council’ at the state level ensures Gujarat’s compliance with these national directives. This crucial step supports a standardized approach to medical regulation across the nation. [3, 4]

Implications for Ayurvedic and Unani Practitioners

For Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners in Gujarat, this legislative shift primarily means a change in the name of their regulatory authority. The core objective remains the same: to oversee and maintain the registration of practitioners. [5] The Gujarat Board of Ayurvedic and Unani Systems of Medicine, originally established in 1960, previously implemented the Gujarat Medical Practitioners Act, 1963. [6, 13] This amendment reaffirms the state’s commitment to upholding standards and promoting quality within these traditional healthcare systems. Furthermore, it ensures the continued competence of practitioners and safeguards public health. [13]

The NCISM Act 2020 itself aims to improve access to quality, affordable medical education and ensure the availability of high-quality professionals in Indian Systems of Medicine. [9] It also promotes equitable and universal healthcare by encouraging community health perspectives. [9] Ultimately, this state-level amendment reflects a broader national effort to streamline and enhance the governance of traditional medical practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the primary change introduced by the Gujarat Medical Bill 2025?

The primary change is the renaming of the ‘Gujarat Board of Ayurvedic and Unani Systems of Medicine’ to the ‘Gujarat Council of Ayurvedic and Unani Systems of Medicine’.

Q2: Why was the ‘Board’ replaced with ‘Council’?

This change aligns the state’s regulatory body with the National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine Act, 2020 (NCISM Act 2020), which limits the use of the term ‘Board’ to only four central government-level entities. [3]

Q3: How does this amendment affect Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners in Gujarat?

The amendment primarily involves a name change for the regulatory authority; its core function of regulating and maintaining the registration of Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners remains in effect. [5]

References

  1. Gujarat Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill passed – ETHealthworld
  2. Five bills to be tabled in seventh session of 15th Gujarat Assembly – Vertex AI Search
  3. Five bills on labour, GST, health to be tabled in assembly session starting Sep 8 – The Times of India
  4. Monsoon Session of Gujarat Legislative Assembly Concludes – Newsonair
  5. Ayurveda Council | Ayurveda | Directorate Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy – Vertex AI Search
  6. The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020 – KanoonGPT
  7. NCISM | Home – Vertex AI Search
  8. What is the role of National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM)? – Manorama Yearbook
  9. Gujarat Board of Ayurvedic & Unani Sysyem Of Medicine in Asarwa,Ahmedabad – Justdial

Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated from publicly available sources and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. OC Academy does not exercise editorial control or claim authorship over this content. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider and refer to current local and national clinical guidelines.