How to become an Ayurvedic Doctor in India? | Careers in Ayurveda | Institutes, Courses, Salary, Scope
Make Career in Ayurveda: Are you one of those who believe that a balm is better than the paracetamol for a headache? We all have heard our parents or grandparents tell us the benefits of traditional remedies for the day to day health issues and also the preventive ones, for instance, drinking milk mixed with turmeric powder can make the healing process faster and build immunity. Well, there is a science behind all these traditional beliefs and methods which have prevailed for a long time and the most commonly known Ayurveda is the pioneer of Indian medicine system.
If you are one those who believe that there is more to Ayurvedic practices than what is known to us and if you want to find out and work in this domain of treating the ailment in the most natural way, then you have come to the right place. This article is going to be a complete guide on the meaning, career options, salary, eligibility, fees, courses, top institutions and the career scope in the various Ayurvedic practices.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the traditional Hindu system of medicine (incorporated in Atharva Veda, the last of the four Vedas), which is based on the idea of a balance in the bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment and yogic breathing. This practice dates back to 5000 years ago and it is a significant aspect in Hindu mythology.
In Sanskrit ‘Ayu’ is age or life and ‘Veda’ is the science. In simple words, Ayurveda is the science of life. It aims at healing or treating the patients by preserving the welfare of the healthy cells, tissues present in the body rather than killing the unwanted particles or germs which enters into the body. The objective is the same as the modern medication i.e. to heal the sufferers, however, the procedure contradicts.
According to the Ayurveda, diseases are caused by faulty food habits, non-cleansing of bowls and lack of exercise. The basic principles recommended by the Ayurvedic practitioners include early rising, pranayama, cleaning of bowls, taking a bath, eating fresh and healthy food and maintaining good posture.
In India, about 70 percent of the rural civilization confides in Ayurveda and its practice has found recognition in the urban sophistication as well. There are more than 2.5 lakh Ayurvedic practitioners registered due to India being the largest medicinal plants creator in the world. The resources are in vast and the youth should take the responsibility of generating and utilizing them. The traditional practice of Ayurveda can be made a worldwide accepted phenomenon.
Career Options in Ayurveda
Every year in India, more than 21,000 undergraduates and nearly 5,000 postgraduates enroll themselves for various courses in distinct institutions to pursue a ca career in Ayurveda. Numerous employment opportunities await to be filled by skilled and learned individuals in this domain.
The preliminary practice starts with a lot of learning inculcated with hard work and faith in this pursuit. The various career opportunities in Ayurveda are enumerated below.
1. Ayurvedic Doctor
Totally evident from the name, an Ayurveda doctor is the person who offers services of observing the patients and diagnosing the issues faced by them. Medication and physical activities are also prescribed by the doctor. There are jobs for doctors in government as well as private hospitals. One can also start his or her practice and commence an infirmary to work as an independent operator in his/her city or town. The doctors can be a specialist in any field, for instance, skin or hair, diseases and many more.
A government doctor can earn an average amount of Rs.30,000-40,000 per month whereas the private hospitals pay somewhere near Rs.20,000-Rs.30,000 per month to the Ayurvedic doctors. In the case of a private clinic, one can expect to earn revenue in the range of Rs.15,000-Rs.20,000 per month at the initial stage.
2. Clinical Trial Coordinator
A clinical coordinator is responsible for overseeing the tasks of the participants or fresher who is at the trial stage. Their job encompasses proving practical knowledge and learning objectives to the future doctors.
The clinical trial coordinator is has a great responsibility on his shoulders and he is responsible for guiding the participants. There salary ranges between Rs. 6-7lak per annum.
3. Therapist
A therapist is a person who is skilled in a particular type of therapy. For instance, a psychologist, masseur, healer, panchakarma practitioner or any other area. The therapists are usually on demand and there are numerous such people who spend a considerable amount for such therapies.
A therapist can operate from his/her premises and can earn an average amount of Rs. 10,000-Rs.15,000.
4. Medical Officer
Esteemed foundations like AIIMS and other well-renowned government hospitals appoint BAMS professionals to work as Junior Medical Officer and Senior Medical Officer. They are responsible for ensuring the legitimate safety of the hospitals.
They are paid an amount of Rs.40,000-Rs.60,000 per month.
5. Professor:
A professor or a lecturer’s job is not unknown to us and it includes advanced teaching skills and detailed explaining skill in the most effortless way.
A professor or lecturer in Ayurveda colleges can earn up to Rs. 2-8 lakh per annum based on the institution and experience.
6. Researcher
A researcher is a person who manages research budgets, ensures laboratory findings, keep a check on necessary equipment and regulates the search for innovative findings in the medical approach.
A researcher is paid an amount of Rs.20,000-40,000 at the initial stage and it can increase with the time and experience.
7. Pharmacist
Every medicine, ointment, Ayurvedic cosmetics, beneficiaries need to be sold off. The place where interested customers can get access to such products is referred to as a pharmacy and the person operating it with the knowledge of the Ayurved is a pharmacist. The pharmacy operating license is not granted to any other degree holders. The interested should be a graduate with any of the medical degree.
A pharmacist can earn up to Rs.2-4 lakh at the initial stage and it can rise up to Rs.10-20 lakh with goodwill and proper management.
8. Sales Representative
There are many Ayurved practitioners or doctors who produce their own recommended medicines, ointments, or immunity boosters like ‘chyawanprash’. They can operate from home or they start organizations. To regulate the sales of such organizations, sales representatives are hired. They are responsible for all the management activities of the specific association.
A sales representative can earn an average amount of Rs.2-3 lakh every year.
Eligibility and Educational Qualification
The prerequisites for the individuals to carry on higher education in Ayurveda are identical to those of any medical field. This course is The aspirant needs to fulfil the following criteria to be eligible for appearing the NEET-UG exams which have been made compulsory for students to get admissions in the medical colleges in India.
- 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English/Mathematics as compulsory subjects Minimum 45%-50% marks
- Minimum age limit 17 years as on 31 December of the year of admission for all categories
- Maximum age is up to the competitors as there is no limit
After meeting all the above-mentioned standards the aspirant becomes eligible for appearing the NEET UG i.e. the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Under Graduates. This exam is conducted by the NTA which is the National Testing Agency to select the best candidates amongst all.
NEET UG Exams include
- Physics [ 45 questions ]
- Chemistry [ 45 questions ]
- Botany [ 45 questions ]
- Zoology [ 45 questions ]
- Total questions 180
- 4 marks for one correct answer
- 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer
- Total marks 720
The marks secured in this entrance exam plays a vital role in concluding which college one can opt for. For amassing seats in the best medical college, one should secure marks somewhere in the range of 425 above. With state-level quota, a candidate can be applicable even with a score between 300-400in NEET. After clearing the entrance exam, the candidate will have a clear view on which college to choose from the marks obtained. Clearing this exam may take more than a year or so in many cases.
After all this procedure a candidate comes to be eligible to join the medical course for the course of BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) or BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery) which are the undergraduate courses for any candidate looking forward to a career as an Ayurveda Doctor or Practitioner.
After graduation, one can begin medical practices in the domain of Ayurveda. However, higher education like diploma, masters or certificate course can unlock many employment opportunities.
Fees
In comparison to MBBS or BDS, the fee structure of BAMS or any other Ayurveda course is feasible. The courses vary relatively on the institutions and the students’ interests. The usual duration for any Vedic course is 1-2 years and on average one may need to spend an amount nearing Rs.40,000-Rs.1,00,000 per year.
Courses
There are several courses which one can opt for in the field of Ayurveda and they are categorized keeping in mind the specialized fields. There is an additional range of courses in this domain than the modern medical field. One can choose to administer in any fraction of Ayurveda by opting any one of the following degree, diploma or certificate course.
Degree Courses :
- Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery [ BAMS; Undergraduate ]
- Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery [ BSMS; Undergraduate ]
- M.D. [ Postgraduate ] in
- Ayurveda Pharmacy
- Agadtantra
- Ayurved Sinddhant and Darshana
- Ayurveda-Basic Principles
- Ayurveda -Dravya Guna Ayurveda -Kaumara Ayurveda – Panchakarma
- Bhaishajya Kalpana
- Skin and V.D.
Diploma Courses :
- Diploma Course in Abhyanga Mardan Tantra
- Diploma Course in Ayurveda Sanskrit Padavika
- Diploma in Ayurveda Nursing and Pharmacy
- Diploma in Ayurvedic Knowledge
- Diploma in Ayurvedic Pharmacy
- Diploma in Herbal Medicine
- Diploma in Modern Dietetics and Ayurvedic Nutrition
- Diploma in Panchakarma Tantra Sahayak
- Diploma in Panchakarma
- Diploma in Panchakarma Assistant
- Post Graduate Diploma in Ayurvedic Drug
- Post Graduate Diploma in Kashar Karma
- Post Graduate Diploma in Vikiran Avam Chhaya
Certificate Courses :
- Certificate Course in Ayurved Beauty Care
- Certificate Course in Ayurved Masseur
- Certificate Course in Ayurvedic Beauty Therapy
- Certificate Course in Ayurvedic Compounder
- Certificate Course in Ayurvedic Food and Nutrition
- Certificate Course in Ayurvedic Herb Cultivation
- Certificate Course in Kshrsutra
- Certificate Course in Masseurs
- Certificate Course in Panchakarma
- Certificate Course in Vedic Karmakand
- Certificate Course in Women Ayurvedic Health Worker
- Certificate in Ayurvedic Masseur
- Certificate in Ayurvedic Therapy
- Certificate in Prasuti and Stri Roga
- Certificate in Reproductive Child Health Care
Top Institutions
India originated Ayurveda has today become a worldwide phenomenon and people all across the globe want to heal and treat themselves in the most natural way possible. At present, more than 300 colleges are providing varied courses in Ayurveda.Students wanting to learn this practice come from abroad as well. Some of the well-known and well-established institutions are enlisted below.
National Level Institutions :
- All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi
- Rashtriya Ayurved Vidyapeeth, New Delhi
- National Institute of Ayurveda ( NIA ), Jaipur
- Institute of Post Graduate Teaching &Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat
Government Institutions :
- State Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Lucknow
- Government Ayurveda College and Hospital, Nagpur
- Dayanand Ayurvedic College Hospital and Pharmacy, Jalandhar
- Government Ayurveda College Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Government Rishikul Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Uttarakhand
- J.B. Roy Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata
Private Institutions :
- Aligarh Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College, Uttar Pradesh
- Abhilashi University, Himachal Pradesh
- Dadar DhanvantriAyurvedic College, Chandigarh
- Acharya Deshbhushan Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Karnataka
Career Scope
Ayurveda, at present, has been recognized all across the planet, not just India. The significance of “Prevention is better than cure” is felt by the civilizations at a wide range due to the rising variety of diseases. A boost in the working population group has led to a higher proportion of individuals who are occupied and hence their bodily functions indeed get affected. To gain the balance of a healthy body the practice of yoga trainers, dieticians, nutritionists, researchers, doctors, professors and other fields of Ayurveda have been developed and accepted at a large scale. Ayurveda is leading the way towards the direction of developing the Indian economy.
