Clarification Amid Speculations
Puducherry: Responding to ongoing speculations and protests by allopathic doctors, the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) has clarified that it currently has no plans to introduce an integrated MBBS-BAMS programme. The institute urged the public and media to rely exclusively on official communications for accurate information.
Official Statement from JIPMER
In a press release dated 13 September 2025, JIPMER stated, “It has come to the notice of JIPMER that there have been media reports regarding introduction of dual degree programme integrating MBBS and BAMS at the Institute. The Institute hereby categorically clarifies that there is no move to introduce any such programme at JIPMER as of now. The Institute urges the media and general public to rely solely on official communication for accurate and authentic information from JIPMER.”
Previous Announcements and Proposals
The New Indian Express reported that the announcement of India’s first integrated MBBS-BAMS course at JIPMER was made by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, on May 27, 2025. File notings from the Union Health Ministry revealed that the proposal originated from the Auroville Foundation in January 2024. Following this, JIPMER, in collaboration with Ayurvedic universities, drafted a curriculum to grant dual degrees in MBBS and BAMS.
Lack of Statutory Body Involvement
Despite this, statutory bodies such as the National Medical Commission (NMC), Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH), and Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) are responsible for designing integrated educational programmes. In response to an RTI query by Dr. KV Babu, NMC clarified that joint meetings with NCISM and NCH scheduled for September 2024 did not take place, and no decision had been made in 2025 regarding such proposals. This suggested that statutory bodies were not involved in the planning of the MBBS-BAMS course at JIPMER.
Concerns from Health Activists
Dr. KV Babu, a Kerala-based health activist who filed the RTIs, expressed concern by stating, “It is worrying that the proposal came from outside agencies, while the statutory bodies do not have any idea about this.” When asked for records of communications regarding the proposal between JIPMER and the Union Health/AYUSH Ministries or NMC, JIPMER stated that no such records were available under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, 2005.
Opposition from Allopathic Doctors
Allopathic doctors have consistently opposed the government’s plan to combine MBBS with BAMS. The Indian Medical Association criticized attempts to mix different medical systems, asserting, “We respect all systems of medicine and strongly opine that we need to preserve the purity of each system.” Regarding JIPMER, the association warned that the institute could lose its status as an institution of national importance if such an unscientific step were implemented.
