The Ministry of AYUSH constituted a Task Force to promote AYUSH system in the country. In its recommendations, it suggested to constitute a National Board for Promotion & Development of Yoga and Naturopathy under the Chairmanship of Secretary (AYUSH) with the following aims & objectives :-

i. To enhance the quality of Yoga & Naturopathy education, training, therapy and research;

ii. To develop human resource in Yoga & Naturopathy ;

iii. To develop standards for Yoga & Naturopathy training and practices for voluntary adoption;

iv. To promote accreditation frame work relating to Yoga and Naturopathy for voluntary implementation by institution including drafting of curriculum and syllabus for various degrees, diploma and programmes;

v. To promote & propagate Yoga & Naturopathy at International level;

vi. To institute national awards for outstanding for outstanding contribution to Yoga & Naturopathy;

vii. To develop methods of competence, and evaluation of Yoga & Naturopathy practitioners;

viii. Any other item relating to development & promotion of Yoga & Naturopathy.

The Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 17.02.2016 has approved the proposal of the Ministry of AYUSH to sign as agreement with WHO for collaborative activities in the area of traditional Medicine. The Ministry has also agreed in principle to the proposal of Ambassador and Permanent representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva to organize on Official Side. Event Traditional systems of Medicine during the 69th world Health Assembly during May, 2016. As a first step in the long term collaboration. India would assign to WHO activities for development of the following WHO technical documents/publications which will help in better international acceptability of Indian Systems of Medicine:-

i. Benchmarks for training in Yoga;

ii. Benchmarks for practice in Ayurveda;

iii. Benchmarks for practice in Unani Medicine;

iv. Benchmarks for practice in Panchakarma;

This information was given by Hon’ble Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.