The field network powering AYUSH clinical trials, public-health studies, and patient-based evidence across India.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India
Implemented Through: CCRAS, CCRH, CCRUM, CCRS
Implemented Through: CCRAS, CCRH, CCRUM, CCRS
1. What Are Clinical Research Units (CRUs)?
Clinical Research Units (CRUs) are field-level AYUSH research centres that run clinical trials, public health studies, and patient-based research on Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy medicines. Many function under Regional Research Institutes (RRIs) or directly under the Central Councils—focused on real-world evidence and disease-specific research.
In simple words: CRUs are mini research hospitals where AYUSH medicines are tested, documented, and improved while treating patients.
2. Objectives
| Goal | Description |
|---|---|
| 🧪 Clinical Validation | Test classical and new AYUSH medicines in controlled trials. |
| 🏥 Healthcare Delivery | Free/low-cost patient care under supervised protocols. |
| 📋 Data Collection | Clinical databases and pharmacovigilance reporting. |
| 🤝 Integration | Joint work with government hospitals and medical colleges. |
| 🌿 Evidence-Based Practice | Build scientific evidence from real patient outcomes. |
3. Key Functions of CRUs
- Conduct Clinical Trials on chronic & lifestyle diseases (e.g., diabetes, arthritis, asthma).
- Provide OPD Services delivering AYUSH consultation and medicines to thousands annually.
- Field Studies & Surveys for disease prevalence and treatment outcomes.
- Collaborate with Medical Colleges for integrative and comparative studies.
- Training & Capacity Building in trial design, ethics, and documentation.
4. Types of Clinical Research Units
| Type | Description | Managed By |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone CRUs | Independent units directly under Councils. | CCRAS, CCRH, CCRUM, CCRS |
| Linked CRUs | Embedded in hospitals/AYUSH colleges via MoUs. | State Govts & Councils |
| Collaborative CRUs | Joint research with AIIMS, ICMR, CSIR, universities. | Central & State partnerships |
| Specialty CRUs | Disease-specific clinics (e.g., cancer, arthritis, HTN). | Councils’ programs |
5. Examples of Major CRUs (System-wise)
🪔 Ayurveda — CCRAS
| Unit | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| CRU (Ayurveda) | Delhi | Metabolic & chronic diseases. |
| CRU | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Panchakarma; joint disorders. |
| CRU | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Neurological & digestive disorders. |
| CRU | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | Diabetes & lifestyle disease control. |
| CRU | Indore, Madhya Pradesh | Women’s health; stress management. |
| CRU | Jammu | Immunity & respiratory (cold-region studies). |
💧 Homoeopathy — CCRH
| Unit | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| CRU (Homoeopathy) | Agartala, Tripura | Maternal & child health. |
| CRU | Patna, Bihar | Respiratory & infectious diseases. |
| CRU | Siliguri, West Bengal | Mental health; anxiety disorders. |
| CRU | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Skin & allergy research. |
| CRU | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | Clinical verification of drugs. |
🌾 Unani — CCRUM
| Unit | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| CRU (Unani) | Hyderabad, Telangana | GI & liver disorders. |
| CRU | Srinagar, J&K | Cold-region chronic disease management. |
| CRU | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Respiratory & metabolic conditions. |
| CRU | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | Geriatric care; anemia. |
| CRU | Pune, Maharashtra | Skin & allergic disorders. |
🌿 Siddha — CCRS
| Unit | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| CRU (Siddha) | Puducherry | Validation of Siddha formulations. |
| CRU | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Arthritis & metabolic disorders. |
| CRU | Madurai, Tamil Nadu | Respiratory & women’s health. |
| CRU | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | Lifestyle disorder management. |
Note: Locations/programs can change—verify against the latest council notifications before printing collateral.
6. Institutional Structure
- Supervision by the Director General of the respective Council and Head, Clinical Research Division (HQ).
- Local leadership by a Principal Investigator (PI) (Research Officer/Scientist).
- Typical team: Medical Officer, Pharmacologist, Data Manager, Nurse/Lab Assistant.
7. Research Process
- Draft proposal → IEC ethical approval.
- Screen/enrol patients per inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Administer AYUSH interventions; monitor outcomes/adverse events.
- Enter data in the AYUSH Clinical Research Database (and pharmacovigilance systems).
- Statistical analysis → publication & dissemination.
8. Areas of Ongoing Research
- Diabetes, hypertension, obesity
- Arthritis & rheumatism
- Bronchial asthma & allergies
- Skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema)
- Women’s health & reproductive care
- Mental health & anxiety
- Immunity & infectious diseases (incl. COVID-19)
9. Who Benefits
| Beneficiary | How They Benefit |
|---|---|
| 👨⚕️ AYUSH Doctors & Researchers | Field experience; access to patient datasets. |
| 🧑🎓 Students & Fellows | Training in clinical methodology and ethics. |
| 👨👩👧 Patients | Free consultations, medicines, and holistic care. |
| 🧪 Pharma Industry | Validated findings supporting product development. |
| 🏛️ Policy Makers | Real-world data for public health integration. |
10. Who’s Who (Key Leadership & Coordination)
| Designation | Name | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH | Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha | Overall leadership & direction |
| Adviser (Research), AYUSH | Dr. Manoj Nesari | National CRU coordination |
| Director General, CCRAS | Dr. Rabinarayan Acharya | Ayurveda CRUs |
| Director General, CCRH | Dr. Subhas Singh | Homoeopathy CRUs |
| Director General, CCRUM | Dr. Anil Khurana | Unani CRUs |
| Director General, CCRS | Dr. V. Rajasekaran | Siddha CRUs |
| Head, Clinical Research Division | — | Operations, ethics & monitoring |
Keep Current: Leadership posts can change—confirm via official council sites for printed materials.
11. Funding & Administration
- Funded via Intra-Mural Research (IMR) budgets of Councils; selected EMR/NAM tie-ins.
- Monitored by AYUSH Research Evaluation Committees.
- Co-funding possible with State Govts, ICMR, medical colleges.
12. Achievements
Show Achievements
- 100+ CRUs operational nationwide.
- Thousands of clinical trials completed/published.
- Evidence base strengthened for arthritis, diabetes, stress care.
- Key role in COVID-19 prevention/recovery studies.
- Data shared with WHO and national repositories.
13. How to Access CRU Services
| For | Action |
|---|---|
| Patients | Visit the nearest CRU (council websites list sites) for free AYUSH OPD care. |
| Researchers | Apply for internships, clinical fellowships, or collaborative trials. |
| Institutions | Partner via MoUs with councils or through NAM collaboration windows. |
Official Portal: ayushportal.nic.in | Research Proposal: emr.ayush.gov.in
14. Contact & Grievances
Clinical Research Division, Ministry of AYUSHAYUSH Bhawan, B-Block, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi – 110023
Email: clinicalresearch-ayush@gov.in / research-ayush@gov.in
Helpline: 011-24651964 / 011-23340023
Website: ayush.gov.in
Grievances: pgportal.gov.in → Select Ministry of AYUSH → Clinical Research Units.
15. Useful Links
- CCRAS: ccras.nic.in
- CCRH: ccrhindia.nic.in
- CCRUM: ccrum.res.in
- CCRS: ccrs.nic.in
- AYUSH Research Portal: ayushportal.nic.in
#CRU
#ClinicalTrials
#AYUSHResearch
#IntegrativeMedicine
#PublicHealth
