AYUSH Faces Vacancy Crisis in Homoeopathy Institutions
A significant staffing shortfall persists in homoeopathy-related institutions under the Ministry of AYUSH, with vacancies forming a sizable portion of sanctioned posts.
According to the data presented by the Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) in the Lok Sabha, nearly 45% of posts across 19 central AYUSH institutes remain unfilled — leaving 2,512 posts vacant out of 5,553 sanctioned positions. Overall, only 3,041 posts have been filled so far across these institutes.
Figures from the Ministry’s response show that homoeopathy-linked bodies also face staffing gaps:
Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), New Delhi — Out of 452 sanctioned posts, 216 remain vacant, while 236 posts are filled, highlighting a significant capacity constraint in the apex research body for homoeopathy.
National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH), Kolkata & Delhi — Of the 193 sanctioned positions, 76 are currently vacant, with 117 filled, suggesting vacancy levels similar to other AYUSH institutes.
These figures reflect broader workforce challenges across AYUSH systems, including homoeopathy, with many vital roles yet to be staffed.
The CCRH serves as the central research organisation coordinating scientific research in homoeopathy across a network of centres nationwide, undertaking activities ranging from clinical research to drug standardisation and collaborative studies. However, unfilled vacancies in research and administrative posts may slow these functions, experts say.
Recent recruitment advertisements by CCRH also show ongoing efforts to fill posts, including Research Officer (Homoeopathy) and other technical and support roles, indicating active recruitment drives to bridge staff gaps.
In Parliament, the Ministry attributed the vacancies to procedural delays in recruitment and the ongoing selection process. While acknowledging the shortfall, officials reiterated that recruitment efforts are underway and subject to statutory rules and timelines.
Despite these measures, analysts highlight that strengthening staffing in homoeopathy institutions — especially research and faculty posts — remains crucial for improving the quality of education, research output, and service delivery under India’s traditional medicine systems.
