New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Ayush has appointed Dr. Milind Babarao, Dean of the Faculty of Ayurveda and Unani at Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, as the newest member of the Advisory Council for Indian Systems of Medicine under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
In a notification dated May 19, 2025, the Ministry also announced the appointment of Dr. M.B. Gaur, Director and Principal of Ch. Brahm Prakash Ayurveda Charak Sansthan, as the Union Territory of Delhi’s new representative, replacing Prof. M.A. Jafri, Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard University, who was appointed in 2021.
Advisory Council’s Role and Structure
Established in September 2021 under the NCISM Act, 2020, the Advisory Council plays a crucial role in guiding the Commission on issues related to education, training, research, and quality standards in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa systems of medicine.
Initially, the Council included representatives from seven states—Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. In August 2023, the Ministry expanded the Council by including Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, thereby making Dr. Babarao Maharashtra’s inaugural representative.
Key Council Members and Tenure
According to the NCISM structure:
- The Chairperson of NCISM serves as the ex officio chairperson of the Advisory Council.
- All NCISM members are ex officio members.
- Representatives include:
- Nine States and one Union Territory (Delhi).
- Two State Medical Councils: Board of Indian Medicine, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh Ayurveda, Unani, and Naturopathy Board, Bhopal.
- Additional members:
- Chairman, UGC
- Director, NAAC
- Directors of IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati
- Directors of IIM Kozhikode, and IISc Bengaluru
As per the 2023 amendment, State and UT representatives will serve until the end of their official term, for four years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Expanding Integration of Indian Medicine
The appointments come amid a broader push by the Ayush Ministry to integrate Indian medicine with modern healthcare systems, including recent initiatives promoting Ayurveda-Allopathy collaboration and the mainstreaming of Ayush disciplines in public health.
Dr. Babarao’s appointment is expected to strengthen Maharashtra’s influence in shaping national policy and educational standards for Indian Systems of Medicine.
