Gujarat Health Minister vows no compromise on students after Ayurveda college lapses
Synopsis
An NCISM inspection found that studies at Dhanvantari Ayurveda College in Mahisagar may not be feasible under current conditions — flagging staff shortages, poor patient inflow, and crumbling student infrastructure. Gujarat's Health Minister has now stepped in, with student transfers to other institutions among the options on the table.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on 15 May pledged no compromise on students' future after inspection lapses at Dhanvantari Ayurveda College and Hospital , Koydam, Mahisagar district .
The NCISM flagged concerns in a communication dated 6 August last year, covering academic standards, infrastructure, and institutional functioning.
A three-member AYUSH department inspection committee, constituted on 18 November , found deficiencies in patient inflow, staffing, training, library, and laboratory facilities.
The inspection report indicated that continuation of studies at the institution may not be feasible under existing conditions.
Shifting affected students to other recognised institutions is among the options under active consideration by the state government.
Pansheriya also met Gujarat State Health Employees Federation representatives, assuring action on pay scales and service conditions for health workers.
Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on Friday, 15 May declared that the state government will make no compromise on the academic future of students enrolled at Dhanvantari Ayurveda College and Hospital in Koydam, Mahisagar district, following a damning inspection that flagged serious deficiencies in the institution's functioning.
How the Crisis Unfolded
The matter traces back to a communication dated 6 August last year from the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), through its Medical Assessment and Rating Board, which flagged multiple concerns at the college — spanning academic standards, infrastructure, and institutional governance.
Acting on those findings, the central government's AYUSH department on 18 November constituted a three-member inspection committee, which subsequently conducted a detailed on-site review of the institution.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection committee reportedly observed significant shortfalls across critical areas. These included inadequate patient inflow at the hospital, staffing shortages, and gaps in academic and practical training arrangements.
Inspectors also noted that essential student-support infrastructure — including the library and laboratories — required substantial improvement. Most critically, the inspection report indicated that continuation of studies at the institution may not be feasible under existing conditions, raising urgent questions about the fate of enrolled students.
Government's Response
A high-level review meeting was convened at the Health Minister's office in Gandhinagar, attended by senior officials. Representations from students' parents were also taken into account during the deliberations.
Among the options discussed was the possibility of shifting affected students to other recognised and approved institutions to ensure continuity of their education. Officials said the primary concern remained protecting students' academic progress without disruption.
Speaking at the meeting, Pansheriya said, 'No compromise of any kind will be made with the future of students. The state government is fully committed to ensuring that every student receives quality education and proper facilities.' He added that the government is taking a 'transparent and sensitive approach' while operating within regulatory guidelines.
The state government confirmed that further steps will be taken in accordance with directions from NCISM and the AYUSH Ministry, with corrective measures to be implemented at the institution alongside safeguards for student interests.
Health Workers' Concerns Also Addressed
In a separate development on the same day, Pansheriya chaired a meeting with representatives of the Gujarat State Health Employees Federation and various categories of health workers. Employees raised issues related to departmental examinations, higher pay scales, and concerns affecting Multi Purpose Health Workers and Female Health Workers under the panchayat system.
The minister assured that all representations were heard with sensitivity and that appropriate decisions would follow. 'Health employees are not merely employees, but strong pillars of the health system, dedicatedly engaged in the sacred work of public service,' he said, adding that the government under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is giving the highest priority to the welfare and dignity of every health sector employee.
With NCISM and the AYUSH Ministry's directives still awaited, the coming weeks will be decisive for students caught in regulatory uncertainty at Dhanvantari Ayurveda College.
Point of View
But the burden of proof lies in execution — specifically, whether student transfers are completed before the next academic cycle is disrupted. Gujarat's AYUSH college oversight has rarely faced this level of scrutiny, and the outcome here will set a precedent for how the state handles similar regulatory failures at private institutions in the Indian medicine sector.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What lapses were found at Dhanvantari Ayurveda College in Mahisagar?
An AYUSH department inspection committee found deficiencies in patient inflow at the hospital, staffing shortages, gaps in academic and practical training, and inadequate infrastructure including the library and laboratories. The inspection report indicated that continuation of studies may not be feasible under existing conditions.
What action is the Gujarat government taking for affected students?
The state government held a high-level review meeting in Gandhinagar and is considering shifting affected students to other recognised and approved institutions to ensure continuity of their education. Health Minister Praful Pansheriya has pledged no compromise on students' academic future.
Which regulatory body flagged issues at the Ayurveda college?
The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), through its Medical Assessment and Rating Board, issued a communication on 6 August last year highlighting concerns about the college's academic standards, infrastructure, and institutional functioning.
When was the inspection of Dhanvantari Ayurveda College conducted?
The AYUSH department constituted a three-member inspection committee on 18 November, which then conducted a detailed site inspection of the institution, assessing hospital services, academic delivery, staffing, and student facilities.
What did Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya say about the situation?
Pansheriya stated that 'no compromise of any kind will be made with the future of students' and that the state government is committed to ensuring quality education and proper facilities. He also said the government is taking a transparent and sensitive approach within regulatory guidelines.
