Current State of Homoeopathy in India
By Dr. Farokh Master
Homoeopathy remains one of India’s most visible traditional/alternative medical systems: widely practised, institutionally supported, and embedded in public health discourse — but it also faces growing scrutiny over evidence, regulation, and scope of practice. The picture today is mixed: strong institutional backing and steady educational infrastructure, significant public awareness and use, active government research and events — alongside questions about clinical evidence, vacant training seats in places, and recent regulatory tensions as some practitioners seek wider prescribing authority.
Popularity & public perception
Homoeopathy continues to enjoy substantial public visibility. Government surveys and the Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) outreach find that large shares of households report awareness of traditional medicine options, and the system is regularly profiled in national AYUSH campaigns and events (for example, World Homoeopathy Day activities and symposia). That awareness translates into patient demand in many urban and rural areas, where homoeopathic clinics are a common first-contact option for chronic and self-limiting conditions.
Education, workforce & training
India has an extensive educational pipeline for homoeopathy (BHMS and post-graduate programs) governed now by the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH), established under the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020. The NCH publishes guidance on curriculum, assessment, teacher eligibility and a framework for college accreditation — reflecting an effort to standardize and modernize training. At the same time, media reports show regional seat vacancies in some years/rounds, indicating mismatches between supply and demand or changing student preferences in particular states.
Regulation & integration with mainstream systems
Institutionally, homoeopathy is part of India’s AYUSH portfolio and benefits from dedicated ministry support, research councils and regulatory mechanisms. The government funds research projects and annual reporting show ongoing R&D activity under central research bodies. That institutional backing has also spurred cross-system debates: recent reporting shows homeopaths in some states applying to register for broader clinical practice (including undergoing certificate courses in pharmacology), which has triggered pushback from allopathic bodies over scope-of-practice and patient-safety concerns. These tensions highlight a fault line between integration ambitions and professional/regulatory caution.
Research & evidence base
There is active—but contested—research activity. Government research councils list ongoing projects and publications; however, independent reviews of the global homoeopathy clinical literature point to ongoing problems with study quality, heterogeneity of trials, and limited high-quality evidence for many claimed indications. In short: research activity exists, but the clinical evidence base (by current conventional standards) is still a major point of debate among clinicians, researchers and policymakers.
Controversies and practical challenges
Key challenges shaping the current landscape:
• Evidence vs practice gap: Enthusiastic public use contrasts with inconclusive/highly variable clinical evidence, which raises questions about claims, regulation and recommended uses.
• Scope-of-practice disputes: Moves by large numbers of homoeopathic practitioners in some states to obtain additional certification or registers allowing broader prescribing have provoked resistance from mainstream medical associations, highlighting coordination and safety concerns.
• Educational and workforce issues: Vacant BHMS seats reported in certain admission cycles suggest regional variations in student interest and the need to align curricula and career pathways with contemporary health-system needs.
• Quality assurance and standardization: While the NCH and AYUSH publish frameworks, consistent quality across colleges, internship experiences, and clinical governance remains an implementation task.
Where homoeopathy fits in practice today
Practically, homoeopathy in India is used both as a stand-alone primary care option in outpatient settings and as an adjunct in public/private AYUSH clinics for chronic, functional and self-limiting conditions. The government’s visible support (events, funded research projects, regulatory structures) ensures homoeopathy remains an available choice for many patients — but the degree to which it is recommended for particular conditions in formal clinical pathways varies widely by state, institution, and clinician.
Outlook & recommendations
In closing, if policymakers, educators and practitioners want to strengthen homoeopathy’s role while addressing criticism, the following priorities emerge from the current landscape:
Rigorous, targeted research: Focus on well-designed clinical trials and health-systems research that answer practical questions (comparative effectiveness for defined conditions, safety monitoring, cost-effectiveness). Government research units can prioritize pragmatic trials and systematic reviews.
Transparent regulation and scope clarity: Where cross-training or expanded prescribing is considered, develop clear, evidence-based competency frameworks and phased pilots with independent safety oversight to reduce professional conflict and protect patients.
Quality assurance in education: Continue NCH-led standardization of curriculum and assessments and address geographical seat imbalances by aligning training with career pathways and community health needs.
Public communication: Clear, balanced information for patients about proven benefits, limits and safe use — including when to seek allopathic care — will help reduce misinformation and improve integrated care decisions.
Dr Master is one of the best known homeopathic doctors in India who has a busy practice in Mumbai and is a well known teacher throughout the world and author of over 55 books. He has been a member of the Central Council of Homeopathy in India, a member of the Faculty of Homeopathy in UK and linked to many other homeopathic faculties around the world. He consults in various hospitals throughout India and the world and is a sought after consultant in many countries, including Mexico, Argentina and Japan.