Shri Bhawani Shankar Kothari serves as Under Secretary in the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, overseeing Ayurveda & Unani (Coordination) and Administrative & Technical Matters of Siddha. With deep experience in policy coordination and administrative governance, he plays a vital role in aligning India’s traditional medicine systems for effective collaboration, institutional strengthening, and research advancement. His work ensures efficient policy execution and integration of Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha within national and international AYUSH frameworks.
Under Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH
2020 – Present |
📅 Appointed: 2020
👔 Designation: Under Secretary (Systems Coordination & Technical Administration)
🏛️ Government of India – Ministry of AYUSH
🧾 Departments / Divisions under charge:
Ayurveda & Unani (Coordination) –
Supervising coordination of policy, administrative, and programmatic activities between Ayurveda and Unani divisions
Facilitating inter-departmental collaboration between research councils such as:
Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)
Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)
Overseeing program reviews, budget monitoring, and reporting of Ayurveda and Unani-related initiatives under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM)
Ensuring standardization of documentation and integration of policies between traditional medicine systems
Administrative & Technical Matters of Siddha –
Overseeing administrative and technical coordination for the Siddha system of medicine
Supervising functions related to:
Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), Chennai
National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Chennai
Monitoring projects related to Siddha education, clinical research, and drug development
Facilitating grants, academic expansion, and quality assurance across Siddha institutions
Ensuring inclusion of Siddha in the Ministry’s “Heal in India / Heal by India” initiatives
🌿 Key Responsibilities:
Acting as a coordination bridge between Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems
Promoting inter-system collaboration, modernization, and institutional development
Strengthening administrative and technical structures to enhance AYUSH integration nationally and globally
Section Officer, Ministry of AYUSH
2015 – 2020 |
🏛️ Government of India – Ministry of AYUSH
👔 Core Responsibilities:
Coordinated programs related to Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine
Handled official communications with state AYUSH departments, national institutes, and research councils
Assisted in reviewing progress reports of Ayurveda and Unani educational and clinical institutions
🌿 Supported the Ministry in streamlining technical documentation and administrative clarity between multiple AYUSH divisions
Administrative Foundation
2005 – 2015 |
🏢 Served under the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) in various ministries of the Government of India
🧾 Managed core administrative functions including personnel, coordination, and file management
💬 Built expertise in handling multi-sectoral communication, parliamentary correspondence, and public interface management
🌱 Developed strong analytical and coordination skills through direct involvement in policy implementation frameworks
Early Life & Education
📍 Birthplace: Rajasthan, India
🎓 Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (B.A.) – University of Rajasthan
Master’s in Public Administration – Rajasthan University, Jaipur
Certification in Health Policy, Coordination & Administrative Governance
🏛️ A seasoned civil servant known for his efficient coordination across traditional medicine systems and his administrative leadership in managing Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha divisions within the Ministry of AYUSH.