NCISM: Calling Registered AYUSH Doctors 'Quacks' Has No Legal Basis
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has warned that using terms like 'quacks' for registered AYUSH doctors has no legal basis and may violate their constitutional and professional rights. This comes amid reports of harassment and defamation of qualified AYUSH practitioners in media and public forums.
Background
AYUSH doctors practice traditional Indian medicine systems including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa. They are regulated under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970, and the NCISM Act, 2020. The NCISM is a statutory body established under the NCISM Act, 2020, to regulate education and practice in Indian systems of medicine.
Key facts
NCISM warned that calling registered AYUSH doctors 'quacks' or 'bogus doctors' has no legal basis.
Such descriptions may infringe upon the legal and constitutional rights of qualified practitioners.
Registered AYUSH doctors hold recognized degrees and are registered with State Medical Councils for Indian Medicine.
They are legally recognized healthcare professionals under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970, and the NCISM Act, 2020.
The NCISM Act provides the statutory framework for regulating education, ethics, and professional practice in Indian systems of medicine.
The Ministry of AYUSH has distinguished between unrecognized persons posing as AYUSH practitioners (liable for penal action) and duly qualified registered practitioners.
The commission's stand is consistent with the Centre's responses in Parliament.
Prelims pointers
- NCISM: National Commission for Indian System of Medicine
- NCISM Act, 2020
- Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970
- AYUSH: Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy (though Homoeopathy is separate, AYUSH includes these)
- Ministry of AYUSH
- State Medical Councils for Indian Medicine
Mains angles
- GS2: Issues relating to development and management of social sector/services relating to health; Statutory bodies and their role.
- GS2: Constitutional rights of healthcare professionals and legal recognition of traditional medicine.
- GS3: Issues of quackery and regulation of medical practice in India.