02/12/2025
Homeopathy is a fully recognized and legal medical system in India, integrated into the national healthcare framework as one of the eight traditional and alternative systems under the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). It enjoys statutory backing, regulated education, and widespread infrastructure, making India the global leader in homeopathic practice with over 300,000 registered practitioners, 180+ colleges, 7,500+ government clinics, and 307 hospitals. Below is a comprehensive overview of its legal framework, regulation, practice, and recent developments.
Historical and Legislative Foundation
• Introduction and Early Recognition: Homeopathy arrived in India in the early 19th century via European travelers and missionaries. It gained traction in Bengal, leading to the establishment of the Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College in 1881—the world's first such institution. By the mid-20th century, it was practiced widely but lacked centralized regulation.
Key Legislation:
• Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973: This foundational law recognized homeopathy as a national medical system, establishing the Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH) to standardize education, maintain a central register of practitioners, and regulate qualifications. It was amended in 2002 to enhance enforcement powers, allowing the central government to halt admissions in substandard colleges.
• National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020: This replaced the 1973 Act, repealing it effective July 5, 2021. It created the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) as a statutory body under the Ministry of AYUSH to modernize regulation, improve quality, and address gaps like grievance redressal and human resource planning. The NCH was fully operational from that date, superseding the CCH.
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (and Rules, 1945) further governs homeopathic medicines, treating them on par with allopathic and Ayurvedic drugs. This includes licensing for manufacturing, sale, and import/export. Regulatory Bodies and Oversight - The NCH is the apex regulator, functioning as a professional council under the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Autonomous Boards:
• Homoeopathy Education Board: Sets curriculum, standards for colleges/hospitals, and conducts the National Teachers Eligibility Test (NTET).
• Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Homoeopathy: Evaluates and rates institutions; can impose penalties for non-compliance.
• Ethics and Registration Board: Maintains the National Register of Homoeopathy (NRH) and enforces professional conduct.
• State-Level Implementation: States must establish State Medical Councils for Homoeopathy within three years of the 2020 Act (by 2023). These handle local registration and enforcement.
Practice and Licensing Requirements
• Who Can Practice?: Only registered homoeopaths with recognized qualifications (e.g., Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery—BHMS) can legally practice. No other courses (e.g., diplomas for MBBS doctors or self-taught methods) qualify. Unqualified practice, including by retired individuals without registration, is illegal and punishable under the Act.
• Licensing Process: Practitioners must pass the National Exit Test (introduced post-2020 Act) and enroll in the NRH. State councils issue practice licenses. Sale of medicines requires a Drug License under Schedule K of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules.
Recent Developments (2024–2025)
• Quality Standards Update (November 2025): The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notified three new standards for homeopathic medicines, effective April 2026. These cover preparation of mother tinctures (base extracts), raw materials, and sugar of milk, aiming to eliminate variations in manufacturing and ensure uniformity.
• Integration and Growth: Homeopathy is booming, with AYUSH emphasizing evidence-based research.
In summary, homeopathy's legal status in India is robust and evolving toward stricter quality controls, ensuring safe, standardized care. Thus, from its informal introduction in the early 19th century to the comprehensive statutory framework under the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020, homeopathy in India has evolved into a fully legalized, regulated, and government-integrated medical system.
