After Class 10, Straight to Ayurveda: UP Plans Gurukul-Based BAMS Path Inspired by Ancient Indian Learning

 

In a significant move to strengthen traditional medical education, the Uttar Pradesh government is planning to establish specialised Ayurveda gurukuls that will allow students to begin their journey towards becoming Ayurvedic doctors immediately after completing their Class 10 board examinations.

The proposed initiative seeks to revive the ancient gurukul system while integrating it with modern medical education, creating a unique pathway that culminates in a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree.

Integrated Pathway from Class 10 to BAMS

Under the proposed model, five Ayurveda gurukuls will be established across the state, each offering 100 BAMS seats.

Admission will be based on an entrance examination conducted after Class 10. Selected students will complete their higher secondary education alongside specialised Ayurveda training before progressing into the integrated BAMS programme.

Officials say the initiative is aimed at nurturing students at an earlier stage, allowing them to build a deeper understanding of Ayurveda throughout their academic journey.

Ancient Gurukul Tradition Meets Modern Medical Education

The proposed institutions will closely follow the traditional residential gurukul system of ancient India, where students (shishyas) live and learn under the guidance of their teachers (gurus).

According to Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (AYUSH) Ranjan Kumar, the objective is to produce practitioners who understand Ayurveda from its foundational principles, including classical Sanskrit texts that form the basis of the traditional medical system.

The curriculum will combine:

• Traditional Ayurvedic knowledge and Sanskrit learning
• Modern medical education leading to a BAMS degree
• Hands-on clinical training
• Holistic wellness and healing practices
• Ethical values and disciplined residential learning

The government believes this comprehensive approach will prepare graduates who are proficient in both traditional Ayurvedic philosophy and contemporary healthcare practices.

Focus on Holistic Learning

Unlike conventional medical education, the proposed gurukuls will emphasise holistic development alongside academic excellence.

Students from diverse social and economic backgrounds will live together on campus, sharing daily responsibilities and participating in community-based activities designed to promote equality, discipline and character building.

Officials say the institutions aim to produce well-rounded practitioners who understand not only Ayurvedic medicine but also India's long-standing traditions of preventive healthcare and wellness.

Cabinet Approval Awaited

The proposal is expected to be placed before the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet for approval. Once cleared, the state government will begin identifying land for the first five gurukuls and initiate the process of designing the academic curriculum.

If the pilot project proves successful, the government plans to establish additional Ayurveda gurukuls across the state in the coming years.

Boosting India's Traditional Healthcare Ecosystem

The initiative aligns with the broader objective of promoting India's traditional systems of medicine under the AYUSH framework. By introducing students to Ayurveda immediately after secondary school, the Uttar Pradesh government hopes to create a new generation of practitioners with a stronger grounding in classical knowledge, clinical practice and holistic healthcare.

If implemented, the programme could become one of India's first large-scale attempts to blend the centuries-old gurukul model with structured medical education, potentially reshaping the future of Ayurveda training in the country.