Based on recommendations from an expert committee, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to include Ayurvedic Biology in the list of subjects from December 2024 onwards. The UGC conducts the National Eligibility Test (NET) through the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year, in June and December. Inclusion of a subject on the list qualifies candidates for research and teaching positions in that subject.
Ayurvedic biology aims to apply evidence-based modern science to traditional knowledge. The Ayurvedic Biology syllabus published on the UGC-NET website has 10 units, with the first 5 units focusing on Ayurvedic and remaining modern biology concepts. Apart from the history and basic principles of Ayurveda, this syllabus also covers major Ayurvedic concepts such as Sharira Rachna, Kriya and Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia. The second half of the syllabus focuses on modern scientific topics such as microbiology, immunology, and genetics.
Commenting on the reasons behind the UGC’s decision, UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar said: hinduism We believe that promoting research is an important objective. “The potential for research in Ayurvedic biology is immense. Aspirants can conduct clinical trials to investigate the effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatments and prescriptions. It is also possible to study the effects on the physical system,” he says.
Kumar said Ayurvedic biology researchers can help develop methods to standardize Ayurvedic preparations and ensure they are of high quality. The addition to the list is an extension of the National Education Policy 2020, which focuses on interdisciplinary research. “Collaborating with researchers from other fields, such as biochemistry, genetics, and microbiology, will help explore Ayurvedic principles. This will foster interdisciplinary research. Ayurvedic Biology “The integration of academic knowledge into clinical practice will help existing and future health professionals provide patient care in collaboration with other health professionals,” he said.
While the UGC NET list has historically been a place for arts and humanities subjects, CSIR NET focuses on rigorous science. Professor Jagadesh Kumar said UGC NET initially focused on arts and humanities but has evolved to incorporate a wider range of subjects. “Looking at the list, there are around 28 subjects that fall under what we generally call strictly science, providing ample opportunities for candidates in science fields. The subjects are also included in the UGC NET list to encourage research and scholarship in these areas. We must recognize their cultural and intellectual importance. Like Vedic biology, it is considered as an integrated subject across various disciplines,” he added.
Advantages and precautions
However, Subhash Chandra Lakhotia, BHU Distinguished Professor (tenured) and SERB Institute of Cytogenetics Research Fellow, welcomes this acceptance, but points out that the problem is that the Ayurvedic education that has been provided in the traditional BAMS course is He said it was insufficient. “Ayurvedic Biology allows Ayurvedic students to take their studies to the next level by gaining a scientific background and applying modern science to traditional knowledge,” he says. .
However, Lakosia cautioned that Ayurvedic biology is only useful if instruction and examinations are based on facts rather than myths and imagination. Although he approved the NET syllabus on Ayurvedic biology, he said making students study concepts like Sharira Kriya along with modern physiology could cause confusion. “Students need to be informed about the historical nature of the first component,” he says.
Another serious limitation he foresees is that those studying the traditional Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) cannot attempt this NET exam as they do not have a sufficient foundation in modern science. It’s possible. “The BAMS curriculum needs to be completely redesigned to teach these students the basics of modern biology. Unless formally trained Ayurvedic candidates actively participate in research, Ayurveda “The dream of biology cannot come true,” he said.
UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar said, “Collaborating with researchers from other fields such as biochemistry, genetics and microbiology will help us explore the principles of Ayurveda.” . |Photo Credit: Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar’s Official X Handle
The idea of Ayurvedic biology as a discipline was pioneered by Dr. Matanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan, a renowned cardiac surgeon and founder and director of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST). Dr. Valyathan spent most of his later years in deep study of the ancient scholars Charaka, Susruta, and Vagbhata. After decades of study and research, Dr. Valyathan said Ayurvedic procedures and products are useful in modern scientific research.
Critics say that while Ayurvedic biology takes an evidence-based approach, other subjects, such as the Indian knowledge system, allow concepts to be considered true with little or no evidence. Masu. For example, Siddha physician Dr. G. Sivaraman has criticized the IKS syllabus for NET for not being a dispassionate assessment of concepts. “Many mythical opinions are labeled as scientific. Some concepts are unscientific and irrational and there is no need to label them under the name of Indian science.” he says.
Dr Sivaraman warns against “lofty claims” in the ancient texts of Ayurveda, Siddha and other traditional knowledge systems. “Practitioners in both fields need to know the basics of both systems so that dialogue and discussion can be consensual.”
Modern science begins with atoms and molecules, but according to Ayurveda, matter originates from the five Mahabhutas: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Lahotia says the basic principles of Panchmahabhuta date back to a time when people did not know what matter was or what life was. Today, life is understood in terms of biological and physical properties. The concept of tridosha does not apply to all situations. “Historically, when Ayurvedic biology was pioneered in the early 2000s by the late Dr. Variathan, it was a process of questioning Ayurvedic principles and practices with an open mind and establishing their scientific basis. I believe that should be the goal today.”
Some of the institutions that teach Ayurvedic biology include Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, founded by Sam Pitroda and Darshan Shankar, and the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences and Technology University (TDU) in Bangalore. There is. Dr. Gurmeet Singh, Professor and Director of TDU’s Center for Ayurvedic Biology and Holistic Nutrition, said, “Ayurveda and biology are both considered sciences of life, but the two bodies of knowledge have very different foundations.” Biology studies how the body responds to different environments and analyzes our responses from the lens of the genome, epigenome, microbiome, or our own biochemistry. Ayurveda explores these from the doshik dimension.Ayurvedic biology seeks to explore the integration of Ayurveda and biology.”
Dr. Sivaraman says Ayurvedic biology is the need of the time. “The whole world, including all developed countries, is paying attention to the potential of integrative medicine. Whenever modern medicine faces obstacles in understanding or treating a disease, other possibilities, different bodies of knowledge… “We’re thinking about whether they can complement each other,” he says.
Professor Gurmeet Singh said the application of modern biology to ancient textual knowledge accumulated by village healers began at TDU about 30 years ago. “What began 30 years ago naturally evolved into a program codified at TDU when we felt the need to synergize Ayurveda and biology. Micronutrient Deficiencies Focused, Metabolic Health Focused on Type 2 Diabetes, Brain Health Focused on Mild Cognitive Impairment, Traditional Medicine Quality Standards Based on Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Medicinal Ingredients and product quality.”
issued – November 15, 2024 12:02 PM IST
