- About
- Academic Programs
- Research
- Hospital & Clinical Facilities
- Public Health & Outreach
- Collaboration & Linkages
- Key Achievements
- Who’s Who
- Publications & Resources
- Digital Integration
- Contact
- Benefit
National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Chennai)
Parent Ministry: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India
Established: 2004
Affiliation: The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai
Location: Tambaram Sanatorium, Chennai – 600047, Tamil Nadu
Official Website: https://nischennai.org
What Is NIS, Chennai?
The National Institute of Siddha (NIS) is India’s premier national institute for postgraduate education, clinical research, and public healthcare in the Siddha system of medicine.
It was established as an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH to revitalize, modernize, and globally promote the Siddha system, which traces its roots to ancient Tamil culture and the teachings of the 18 Siddhars.
In simple words —
NIS Chennai is the national hub for Siddha education and research — where ancient Tamil healing meets modern science.
Vision & Mission
| Goal | Description |
|---|---|
| Global Excellence | To promote Siddha medicine as a global system of holistic healthcare. |
| Quality Education | To train skilled Siddha practitioners, researchers, and educators. |
| Scientific Validation | To advance clinical and laboratory-based research in Siddha. |
| Comprehensive Healthcare | To deliver affordable Siddha-based treatment to the public. |
| Sustainable Development | To ensure conservation and standardization of Siddha medicines. |
Institutional Overview
| Division | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Academic Division | Offers postgraduate programs (MD Siddha) in 6 specialties. |
| Clinical Division | Provides outpatient, inpatient, and specialty services. |
| Research Division | Conducts clinical and pharmacological research in Siddha. |
| Pharmacy Division | Manufactures Siddha drugs for hospital and research use. |
| Pharmacognosy & Pharmacology Labs | Studies safety, quality, and efficacy of herbal and mineral drugs. |
Academic Programs
| Program | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MD (Siddha) | 3 years | Postgraduate course in 6 specialties of Siddha medicine. |
| Ph.D. (Siddha) | 3–5 years | Doctoral-level research in Siddha clinical and pharmaceutical sciences. |
| Diploma & Short Courses | 6 months–1 year | Public health, yoga, dietetics, and Siddha pharmacy. |
| Paramedical Courses | Variable | Technician-level training in diagnostic and therapy support. |
MD Siddha Specializations Offered:
Maruthuvam (General Medicine)
Gunapadam (Pharmacology & Phytochemistry)
Sirappu Maruthuvam (Special Medicine)
Kuzhandhai Maruthuvam (Pediatrics)
Noi Naadal (Pathology & Diagnostic Methodology)
Nanju Noolum Maruthuva Neethi Noolum (Toxicology & Medical Jurisprudence)
Research & Development
The institute focuses on scientific validation and modernization of Siddha medicine through laboratory and clinical research.
| Research Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Clinical Research | Evaluation of Siddha formulations for chronic and lifestyle diseases. |
| Pharmacological Studies | Toxicology, safety, and efficacy of herbal-metallic drugs. |
| Drug Standardization | Chemical and analytical profiling for quality assurance. |
| Fundamental Research | Studies on Siddha principles like Uyir Thathukkal (Tridosha), Porul Thathukkal (elements), and Vatham-Pitham-Kapham balance. |
| Collaborative Research | Projects with CCRS, ICMR, CSIR, and IIT Madras. |
Recent Research Projects:
- Clinical evaluation of Siddha formulations for diabetes (Neerizhivu Noi).
- Standardization of Parpam and Chenduram preparations.
- Studies on Varma Therapy and Yoga Maruthuvam for pain management.
- Toxicological assessment of metallic Siddha drugs.
Hospital & Clinical Facilities
| Facility | Description |
|---|---|
| Hospital Capacity | 200 beds (IPD) with 25+ specialty OPDs. |
| Outpatient Department (OPD) | Daily consultation and drug dispensing for over 1,000 patients. |
| Specialty Clinics | Focused on diabetes, arthritis, women’s health, skin disorders, and respiratory diseases. |
| Diagnostic Laboratory | Pathology, biochemistry, and radiology services integrated with Siddha diagnostics. |
| Pharmacy Unit | GMP-certified drug manufacturing for internal use. |
| Yoga & Dietetics Centre | Supports treatment with lifestyle and dietary management. |
Public Health & Outreach
| Program | Objective |
|---|---|
| Swasthya Rakshan Program (SRP) | Community-level preventive healthcare. |
| Tribal Health Initiative | Extension of Siddha care to rural and tribal regions. |
| School Health Program | Promoting Siddha wellness practices in students. |
| Women’s Health Program | Siddha therapies for reproductive and maternal care. |
| Health Camps & Mobile Clinics | Organized regularly across Tamil Nadu and nearby states. |
Collaboration & Linkages
| Partner Organization | Area of Collaboration |
|---|---|
| Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) | Joint research and drug development. |
| ICMR, CSIR, IIT Madras | Pharmacological validation and scientific testing. |
| AIIMS New Delhi & NIPER | Integrative clinical studies and quality control. |
| WHO-GCTM (Jamnagar) | Global standardization of Siddha medicine. |
| AYUSH GRID & NAM | Digital integration and performance monitoring. |
Key Achievements
Recognized as a Centre of Excellence in Siddha Education and Research.
Conducted 300+ research projects on Siddha formulations and therapies.
Developed Siddha Pharmacopoeial Standards for 50+ classical drugs.
Digitized ancient Siddha manuscripts and palm-leaf texts.
Established herbal garden with 250+ species for teaching and research.
Published 400+ research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Implemented AYUSH-HIMS for hospital data management.
Who’s Who (Leadership & Governance)
| Designation | Officer Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Director, NIS | Prof. (Dr.) R. Meenakumari (as of 2025) | Overall leadership of education, hospital, and research activities. |
| Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH | Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha | Policy direction and coordination. |
| Dean (Academics) | — | Curriculum design and academic oversight. |
| Medical Superintendent | — | Hospital operations and patient services. |
| Registrar | — | Institutional administration and HR management. |
Publications & Resources
- Journal of Siddha Research (peer-reviewed)
- Annual Reports of NIS
- Pharmacopoeial Standards for Siddha Medicines
- Manual on Varma and Yoga Therapy
- Monographs on Siddha Formulations
- Public Health & Awareness Guides in Tamil & English
Digital Integration
| Platform | Role |
|---|---|
| AYUSH Research Portal | Repository of NIS research outputs. |
| AYUSH GRID | Institutional monitoring and data integration. |
| AYUSH e-Learning | Online learning and professional development. |
| AYUSH-HIMS | Hospital information and patient record system. |
| NAM Portal | Project implementation and fund utilization reports. |
Contact & Grievance Redressal
National Institute of Siddha (NIS)
📍 Tambaram Sanatorium, Chennai – 600047, Tamil Nadu, India
📧 Email: nisdirector@gmail.com / info@nischennai.org
📞 Phone: 044-22381314 / 044-22381316
🌐 Website: https://nischennai.org
Grievances:
https://pgportal.gov.in → Ministry of AYUSH → National Institute of Siddha (NIS)
Useful Links
- Ministry of AYUSH: https://ayush.gov.in
- Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS): https://ccrs.nic.in
- AYUSH Research Portal: https://ayushportal.nic.in
- AYUSH GRID: https://ayushgrid.gov.in
- National AYUSH Mission: https://namayush.gov.in
Benefits to Citizens
| Beneficiary | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Students | Access to advanced Siddha education and training. |
| Patients | Affordable Siddha healthcare and herbal medicine. |
| Researchers | Opportunity for multidisciplinary scientific studies. |
| Teachers & Institutions | Faculty training and collaborative projects. |
| Public | Participation in awareness and wellness programs. |
Impact
- Acts as India’s apex centre for Siddha medicine education and research.
- Revives ancient Tamil medical knowledge with modern tools.
- Contributes to AYUSH integration in national health systems.
- Strengthens India’s traditional medicine diplomacy globally.