Navigating Career Choices: Why AYUSH Struggles to Compete with MBBS, BDS in Students Preference

The plight of the AYUSH courses can be witnessed by the fact that only 638 students among the top 50,000 AIR have applied for admission in BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BNYS and BSMS programmes for the academic session 2024.

Ayush Admissions Central Counseling Committee (AACCC) conducts the AYUSH UG counselling process for admission to 15% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats across India for admission in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) courses. For the academic session 2024, the authorities release the seat matrix separately for all programmes along with category-wise seats available in government, private and deemed universities. Through NEET AYUSH counselling, candidates are provided admission to a total of 52,720 seats in different courses of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. 

However, even after the conclusion of three rounds of AYUSH UG counselling 2024, the majority of the seats are still vacant. Reportedly, a total of 638 candidates have applied for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS), Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS), Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga Science (BNYS) and Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS) courses. 

The Ministry of AYUSH is set to celebrate the 9th National Ayurveda Day on October 29. This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the challenges confronting AYUSH undergraduate courses, gain insights from experts, and steps to be taken to raise awareness among people about the significance of these programs.

AYUSH UG Courses: Allocation Statistics 

As per the analysis based on AYUSH UG round 3 seat allocation list 2024, it has been observed that only 125 students from the top 30,000 rank in the NEET UG exam have applied for the AYUSH UG programmes. Further, 410 students in the top 40,000; while 638 students in the top 50,000 rank have applied for the AYUSH UG courses. 

AYUSH UG Admission: Reasons for Lesser Admissions

Provided below are the main reasons why AYUSH courses are less preferred than MBBS or BDS programmes when it comes to pursuing their careers:

Lack of Awareness

The condition of admission to AYUSH UG courses is miserable due to a lack of awareness among students. Several students who appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) are not aware of the AYUSH course and its scope. The basic understanding with which those students appear for the NEET exam is to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme. 

Perception and Prestige

Conventional medicine i.e. MBBS is often presumed to carry more prestige compared to Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy medicine, leading students to favour more customary paths. Besides, cultural biases and societal expectations at times steer students toward more acknowledged medical courses.

Limited Career Options

Students who complete AYUSH UG courses first appear for the All India AYUSH Postgraduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET) exam which is a qualifying examination for admission to PG AYUSH courses. Based on the AIAPGET result, students appear for the counselling process for AYUSH PG courses. However, even after completing the AYUSH PG courses students are left with fewer options for their careers, for reference, students appear for government exams and appear for entrance tests to become medical officers. 

Infrastructure and Resources

Insufficient infrastructure, research facilities, and funding for AYUSH institutions can avert potential applicants from appearing for the AYUSH courses. Further, the job demand may not be as vigorous for AYUSH practitioners, impacting students' decisions.

AYUSH Vs MBBS/ BDS: The Rationale in Student Career Choices Explained 

The reason why AYUSH UG courses lag behind the MBBS or BDS programme has been provided below. The stakeholders have explained the reason for the quandary of a medical aspirant while selecting the course. 

Dr Monika Rohilla, MD scholar department of Swasthvritta at CBPACS says “In the recent development, the government is offering its extended support to the AYUSH courses. Despite having MBBS as their first choice, the scope of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani courses has significantly increased. However, the main reason why students in AYUSH courses are fewer is because of fewer vacancies in the government sector jobs. Further, the budget granted for AYUSH courses is significantly lower than that for allopathy courses. This results in less infrastructure for the AYUSH students and their academic and practice sessions. Once an AYUSH student completes their MD, the main goal of the student is to become a medical officer. However, the vacancies offered for the AYUSH medical officer are very less. The scope of AYUSH can be increased if the government increase the budget and offers more vacancies for the AYUSH doctors.”

Dr Rashmi, a BAMS graduate shares her insight on the plight of AYUSH courses saying “ Fewer students enroll in AYUSH courses due to a combination of factors. Lack of awareness and fallacies, limited integration into mainstream health care. AYUSH fields have historically received less research funding and academic focus along with, infrastructural challenges leading to concerns about the quality of education. Additionally, the presence of career uncertainty with limited roles in hospitals makes it less appealing to students.” She further adds “Addressing these issues with international collaborations and recognition could help enhance the credibility, visibility and professional appeal of AYUSH, drawing more students and professionals to the field.” 

Meanwhile, Dr Sushil Rajbhar, Homeopathic Resident Doctor at Government Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital Bhopal shares his insight saying “Most of the students who are appearing for the NEET UG entrance exam don't know about the AYUSH scores. Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homoeopathy, what are these systems of medicine? What are the benefits of this? What is the benefit of pursuing this course? They don't know. This can be one of the reasons students are not going for or not opting for the AYUSH courses after qualifying the NEET UG exam.” 

He further adds "Most of the students who have chosen biology as their prime subject in 11th standard dreamt of becoming a doctor mostly 99 of us have seen an allopathic doctor or MBBS doctor since our childhood. Another reason why AYUSH is not popular among students is the government's lack of involvement. The government should advertise what is the significance and what are the benefits of homeopathy, Ayurveda, naturopathy and other AYUSH courses. The government can implement a strict rule that in every government hospital, there should be AYUSH which should include Ayurveda, homeopathy and Unani Siddha Naturopathy.” 

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