India has officially designated September 23 as Ayurveda Day, marking a historic shift from its previous observance on Dhanvantari Jayanti. The decision, formalized through a Gazette Notification in March 2025, gives Ayurveda a fixed calendar identity and aims to enhance global participation. The theme for Ayurveda Day 2025 is “Ayurveda for People & Planet,” reflecting India’s commitment to holistic health and ecological harmony.
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav described Ayurveda as a life science rooted in the principle of harmony between the individual and the environment. He emphasized that the new date strengthens Ayurveda’s global recognition and aligns with India’s broader health and sustainability goals. Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha noted that Ayurveda Day has grown into a global movement since its inception in 2016, with the first all-India NSSO survey confirming Ayurveda as the most commonly used treatment system across both rural and urban regions.
Ayurveda Day 2024 was a landmark moment when the Prime Minister inaugurated Phase II of the All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi, launched four Centres of Excellence, and introduced the nationwide Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan. These initiatives were part of a broader healthcare investment valued at approximately Rs 12.85 billion.
Ayurveda Day 2025 is envisioned as more than a ceremonial occasion. It will serve as a platform to position Ayurveda as a solution to contemporary global challenges including lifestyle disorders, climate-linked diseases, and stress. The Ministry of Ayush will coordinate awareness campaigns, youth engagement programs, wellness consultations, and international collaborations. In 2024, activities were held in around 150 countries, underscoring Ayurveda’s expanding global footprint.
India’s decision to anchor Ayurveda Day on September 23 symbolizes a deeper alignment between tradition and modernity, reinforcing the country’s leadership in promoting sustainable health systems rooted in indigenous knowledge.
