Dr. Shashi Ranjan Kumar Vidyarthi, an accomplished Ayurveda scholar and administrator, serves as Director in the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. He oversees AYUSH Education Policy I, II & III, national schemes, and international cooperation initiatives, along with managing the Heal in India / Heal by India programs and the administrative and financial operations of the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). With over two decades of academic and policy experience, Dr. Vidyarthi is at the forefront of modernizing AYUSH education, expanding global partnerships, and promoting India’s traditional medicine systems worldwide.
Director, Ministry of AYUSH
2020 – Present |
📅 Appointed: 2020
👔 Designation: Director, Ministry of AYUSH
🏛️ Government of India
🧾 Departments / Divisions under charge:
AYUSH Education Policy I, II & III –
Policy design and coordination of education reforms across Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, and Sowa-Rigpa
Implementation of NEP 2020-aligned AYUSH Curriculum Framework
Coordination with NCISM and NCH for academic modernization, digital integration, and quality assurance
Schemes Division –
Oversight of centrally sponsored schemes, including the Ayurswasthya Yojana and Centre of Excellence (CoE) components
Monitoring scheme performance, evaluation, and fund allocation
Heal in India / Heal by India Initiatives –
Policy and program coordination for positioning India as a global destination for AYUSH-based wellness and medical value travel
Promotion of Indian traditional medicine education abroad through academic MoUs and knowledge exchanges
Administrative & Financial Matters of the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) –
Supervising resource management, fund flow, and project evaluation for NMPB
Supporting conservation and sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants under AYUSH development programs
International Cooperation Division –
Managing global partnerships with WHO, SCO, ASEAN, and BIMSTEC nations
Coordinating MoUs, training, and collaborative research projects in traditional medicine
🌿 Key Focus Areas:
Integrating AYUSH education with global standards
Enhancing India’s global visibility through “Heal in India” and “Heal by India”
Ensuring institutional transparency and sustainable medicinal plant development
Expanding AYUSH’s international academic and policy footprint
Deputy Adviser (Ayurveda), Ministry of AYUSH
2015 – 2020 |
📅 Appointed: 2015
🏛️ Government of India – Ministry of AYUSH
🧩 Key Roles:
Oversaw national education reforms across Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems
Assisted in framing AYUSH Education Policy I & II, improving standardization, accreditation, and digital learning tools
Contributed to AYUSH Scholarship & Fellowship Schemes and Academic Exchange Programs under International Cooperation
Research & Education Leadership
2006 – 2014 |
📅 Joined Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ministry of AYUSH
👔 Held senior research and academic coordination positions
🧾 Responsibilities:
Coordinated national research programs on Ayurvedic education, drug development, and integrative medicine
Contributed to policy drafting for the modernization of Ayurveda curricula and institutions
🏆 Recognized for bridging research outcomes with education policy to improve AYUSH teaching quality
Academic & Clinical Career
1990s – 2005 |
🏛️ Served as Lecturer and later Professor in Ayurveda institutions affiliated with State and Central universities
🩺 Practiced as an Ayurvedic physician specializing in surgical and para-surgical procedures (Shalya & Kshar Sutra therapy)
📚 Published research papers and clinical case studies in national journals of Ayurveda
🌱 Promoted scientific validation of traditional Ayurvedic surgical techniques and community health education
Early Life & Education
📍 Birthplace: Bihar, India
🎓 Education:
Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) – Bihar University
M.D. (Ayurveda) – Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
Ph.D. (Ayurveda – Shalya Tantra / Ayurvedic Surgery) – Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Policy & Management
🌿 A noted Ayurveda scholar, administrator, and policy expert specializing in education systems, health governance, and institutional development within the AYUSH sector