The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a big decision, in which trained postgraduate Ayurvedic doctors have been allowed to perform certain surgeries on their own. This decision has been taken with the aim of connecting the ancient Ayurvedic system with modern medicine. But the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has strongly opposed this order. IMA says that this can be dangerous for patients and it is wrong to mix the two systems.
Government’s decision and what permission was given?
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has approved this order. This decision has been taken in accordance with the Indian Medicine Central Council (Post Graduate Ayurveda Education) Amendment Regulations of 2020 and the guidelines of the National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine (NCISM). Under this, trained postgraduate Ayurvedic doctors (especially those with specialization in Shalya Tantra and Shalakya Tantra) will now be able to perform 58 types of surgeries themselves.
The Health Minister held a meeting with AYUSH Department Director K Dinesh Kumar and other officials. He also gave instructions to start postgraduate courses in the state, provide operation theatre, surgical instruments and necessary facilities. At present, there are two private Ayurveda colleges in the state apart from Dr. NRS Government Ayurveda College, Vijayawada**.
Which surgeries have been allowed to be performed?
Out of 58 surgeries, 39 surgeries are related to surgical system (General Surgery). The remaining 19 surgeries are related to Shalakya Tantra, which includes treatment of eyes, ears, nose, throat, head and mouth and teeth.
Some of the major surgeries and procedures include treatment of infectious diseases, stitching of wounds, treatment of piles and fissures, skin grafting, removal of cysts and tumors, cataract operation, removal of accidentally damaged tissue, etc.
Why is IMA opposing this decision?
IMA President Dr. Dilip P. Bhanushali called this order ‘really disturbing’ and said that it is ‘mixopathy’ (mixing both the systems), which IMA has been opposing for the last 10 years. He said, ‘We respect Ayurveda, but it should be promoted in its original and true form. Why mix it with modern medicine?’
IMA believes that this decision will create problems for patients and will be a big mistake. Dr. Dilip says, ‘Surgery is not an easy skill. MBBS doctors take about 10 years to learn this. Ayurvedic doctors are trained on the basis of different sciences. IMA will lodge a protest by giving a memorandum on this. This issue will be the main agenda of the 100th All India Medical Conference to be held in Ahmedabad on 27-28 December 2025.
#WATCH Ahmedabad, Gujarat: On Andhra Pradesh allowing Ayurvedic doctors to perform surgery, Dr Dilip P Bhanushali, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), says, “The IMA is definitely opposing this. It’s not that we don’t respect Ayurveda or Homoeopathy. They have… pic.twitter.com/xmQdieqHUm
— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2025
What is the state government’s reasoning on the new decision?
This decision was taken around 23-24 December 2025 and IMA registered its protest on 26 December 2025. The government says that this will improve healthcare and ancient knowledge will be combined in a modern way, but IMA is considering it as a threat to the safety of patients. Earlier too, IMA had opposed ‘Mixology’ in June 2025 and condemned the BAMS-MBBS mix course at JIPMER, Pondicherry.