A significant healthcare update has emerged for ECHS beneficiaries and ex-servicemen.
The Government has moved ahead with Phase-I of Ayurveda OPD services at 10 selected ECHS polyclinics. Manpower and expenditure requirements have been approved, taking the proposal closer to practical implementation.
However, beneficiaries should note one important point:
The exact date from which the Ayurveda OPDs will start treating beneficiaries has not been mentioned.
This facility is therefore not being introduced at every ECHS polyclinic at this stage.
13 doctors and 10 pharmacists to be engaged
For these selected polyclinics, approval has been given for engagement of:
13 AYUSH/Ayurveda doctors
and
10 AYUSH pharmacists
The appointments will be made on a contractual basis for 11 months under the existing ECHS contractual employment procedure.
Technical assistance for selection of doctors and pharmacists will be taken from the regional institutes of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).
How much expenditure has been approved?
The project includes expenditure for manpower as well as basic infrastructure.
| Requirement | Expenditure |
|---|---|
| Staffing | Approx. ₹1.92 crore annually |
| IT hardware | Approx. ₹11 lakh one-time |
| Infrastructure | Approx. ₹9 lakh one-time |
This means the proposal has moved beyond policy-level approval, with manpower, IT and infrastructure requirements also being financially addressed.
Finance concurrence has also been received
According to the available information, the Ministry of Defence Finance/Pension Wing gave concurrence on 21 September 2026.
The subsequent communication moved the Phase-I implementation process ahead.
How will treatment work for ECHS beneficiaries?
The Ayurveda OPD will function within the selected ECHS polyclinics and treatment will be provided according to the existing ECHS AYUSH policy.
The facility is voluntary.
Beneficiaries can choose the treatment system they consider appropriate, subject to the applicable ECHS rules.
For a particular illness or treatment, a beneficiary cannot normally take AYUSH and Allopathy simultaneously for the same condition.
Where emergency or life-saving treatment is required, the necessary medical treatment can be provided.
Is this an entirely new ECHS scheme?
No.
The concept of providing AYUSH/Ayurveda treatment under ECHS already existed.
The latest development relates to taking the selected 10-polyÂclinic arrangement forward through Phase-I manpower and financial approval.
In other words, the focus has now shifted towards making the facility practically operational.
Have Ayurveda OPDs already started at all 10 locations?
This is the most important clarification.
The Government has approved the manpower and expenditure required for Phase-I, but the available communication does not mention the exact date on which the OPD service will begin for beneficiaries.
Doctors and pharmacists still have to be engaged and the facility has to become operational at the respective polyclinics.
Therefore, beneficiaries should not assume that Ayurveda OPD services are already available simply because the approval has been issued.
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What should ECHS beneficiaries remember?
Three points are important:
First: Phase-I currently covers only 10 selected ECHS polyclinics.
Second: Approval has been given for 13 doctors and 10 pharmacists, along with staffing, IT and infrastructure expenditure.
Third: The exact date from which beneficiaries can start using these Ayurveda OPDs has not yet been specified.
Final takeaway
The latest ECHS development brings the proposed Ayurveda OPD facility significantly closer to implementation.
The first phase will cover 10 polyclinics, supported by 13 doctors, 10 pharmacists and approved financial expenditure.
The facility will remain voluntary and treatment will follow the existing ECHS AYUSH framework.
For beneficiaries, the next important update will be the actual commencement date of the Ayurveda OPD services at their respective polyclinics.
Until that date is officially communicated, this should be understood as an approved Phase-I rollout moving towards operationalisation, rather than confirmation that treatment has already started everywhere.
Sources:-
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Press Information Bureau — MoU for integrating Ayurveda OPD in 10 ECHS Polyclinics
Official PIB source — 24 March 2023
This official release confirms the 10 polyclinics and that Ayurveda OPDs are intended for ECHS members on a voluntary basis. Press Information BureauCentral Organisation ECHS — Advisory on Treatment of ECHS Beneficiaries under AYUSH
Official ECHS AYUSH Advisory PDF
This explains the rule regarding AYUSH treatment for a particular body system while allopathic treatment may continue for other diseases. ECHSCentral Organisation ECHS — Medical Policy and Advisories
ECHS Official Medical Policy Page
This official page lists ECHS medical policies, including AYUSH-related policy documents. ECHSECHS — Treatment Management SOP
ECHS Treatment Management SOP PDF
This document records the broader ECHS policy allowing treatment through AYUSH and explains related conditions. ECHSECHS — Guidelines/SOP for AYUSH Hospitals
ECHS Guidelines and SOP PDF
This contains ECHS provisions regarding Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy treatment.
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