Centre Launches 'SMART' Programme To Promote Scientific Research In Ayurveda

The Ministry of Ayush has introduced a new initiative called the 'SMART' programme to promote scientific research in Ayurveda.

The programme was launched by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).

NCISM and CCRAS are two prominent institutions under the Ayush Ministry for regulating medical education and conducting scientific research respectively.

The ‘SMART’ (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals) programme is aimed to boost scientific research in priority healthcare research areas through Ayurveda colleges and hospitals.

The programme was launched on Monday (2 January) NCISM chairman Vaidya Jayant Deopujari and CCRAS director general Rabinarayan Acharya.

During the launch of the 'SMART' programme, Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairman of NCISM, praised the initiative and stated that he was confident it had the potential to transform clinical research in Ayurveda. He also expressed his support for the programme on behalf of NCISM.

Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairman, NCISM, lauded the initiative and said, “I am confident that this program has the potential to transform clinical research in Ayurveda. It was observed that the research potential of the large community of Ayurveda teachers remains under utilised mostly. Therefore, the ‘SMART’ program will have a deep long term rejuvenating impact on research in the field of Ayurveda and it will be a great service to the nation, I congratulate CCRAS for this initiative and ensure all support on behalf of NCISM.”

While highlighting key points of ‘SMART’, CCRAS DG Vaidya Rabinarayan said, “The proposed initiative is conceptualised with an objective to identify, support and promote innovative research ideas in healthcare research areas including Osteoarthritis, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Chronic Bronchitis, Dyslipidemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Psoriasis, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)”.

He also added, “The eligible Ayurveda academic institutions may apply by 10 January, 2023. All details regarding contact information, eligibility criteria and application process has been shared to all recognized academic institutions and hospitals through NCISM”.

B S Prasad, President of Board of Ayurveda, NCISM, emphasised the importance of the large network of Ayurveda colleges and hospitals located throughout the country.

He noted that these institutions have not only provided healthcare services during times of need, but they have also contributed significantly to healthcare research in India.

"The ‘SMART’ program will certainly motivate teachers for taking up projects in designated areas of healthcare research and create a large database," Prasad added.