Regulating Traditional Medicine in India: A Critical Analysis of the Ayush Legal Framework

India’s plural healthcare system formally recognises traditional medicine through the AYUSH framework, yet questions persist about how effectively this legal architecture regulates practice, ensures quality, and integrates with public health delivery. With nearly 65–70% of the population relying on traditional medicine in some form (WHO Global Report on Traditional Medicine, 2019), the regulatory design acquires direct significance for safety, access, and equity. This paper aims to examine the adequacy of the statutory and policy framework governing AYUSH, assess its alignment with public health goals, and identify gaps in enforcement, standardisation, and institutional coordination. The study adopts a doctrinal method, analysing various relevant statutes, policy documents, parliamentary materials, and judicial decisions, supplemented by government and WHO reports. The analysis shows that while the Ministry of AYUSH has expanded institutional capacity—evident in thousands of AYUSH facilities integrated under the National Health Mission—fragmented standards, uneven state-level enforcement, and limited pharmacovigilance persist. Key gaps include inconsistent licensing oversight, variable education quality, and weak quality control of medicines, which collectively affect patient trust and clinical outcomes. A coherent, harmonised regulatory model—strengthening standards, surveillance, and integration—is essential to realise AYUSH’s potential within India’s health system.