Indian Medical Association: A proposal by the Health Ministry to introduce an MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree course at JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research) has triggered strong backlash from allopathic doctors and the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
Critics describe the MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree as “mixopathy” and demand its immediate withdrawal, citing concerns over legal, regulatory, and patient safety issues. Supporters argue it could foster integrative health care, delivering both traditional Ayurvedic and modern medical education under one umbrella.
MBBS-BAMS Dual-Degree at JIPMER
The government plans to launch an MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree at JIPMER in collaboration with Ayurvedic universities under the aegis of the Auroville Foundation.
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Key features of the proposal include:
- Duration: 5 years of coursework followed by a 1-year internship.
- Dual Outcomes: Graduates would receive degrees in both modern medicine (MBBS) and Ayurveda (BAMS) upon completion.
- Curriculum: It blends elements from both paths. For example, modern anatomy, physiology, biochemistry from MBBS, alongside Ayurvedic texts and concepts like dosha, herbal therapeutics and panchakarma. Clinical training would cover internal medicine, surgery, etc., plus traditional AYUSH modalities. There is also talk of research components aiming to integrate evidence-based practices from both systems.
IMA Protest JIPMER Plan: Key Concerns Raised
Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Allopathic Doctors are protesting the JIPMER Plan for an MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree.
Join NEET News 2025 The IMA demands withdrawal of the plan, calling it “unscientific,” “regressive,” and potentially dangerous. They argue that mixing systems dilutes the identity, rigour and safety protocols of both systems.
The IMA says: “hybrid doctors who will be only qualified quacks.” They fear this could lead to ambiguous practices, especially in emergencies or when prescribing treatments.
They also assert that patient rights are affected; patients currently have the option to choose the system of medicine they trust. An integrated degree might remove or confuse that choice.
The IMA says statutory bodies like the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Health Ministry must ensure proper consultations; they have alleged that proper regulatory bodies are being bypassed.
Legal, Regulatory and Practical Issues with MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree
MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree: Absence of Legal Framework
MBBS and BAMS are currently governed under separate statutes and councils (NMC for allopathic, NCISM for Ayurveda). There is no current legal provision for awarding dual degrees.
Recognition, Licensing & Accreditation
It is unclear how graduates from the MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree would be registered, practice, or whether their degrees would be recognised across states or systems. Would they have the full rights of an MBBS doctor?
Are they legally allowed to prescribe allopathic medicines, perform surgeries, etc., or would there be restrictions?
Curriculum Overload and Quality Dilution
Combining two full curricula in one program could lead to superficial coverage, as there is concern that neither the MBBS content nor the BAMS content will be taught in sufficient depth. Laboratories, faculty, clinical postings and exam loads may be stretched thin.
Patient Safety
Giving inadequate training and unclear guidelines risks misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment, and possible misuse of drugs or herbal/allopathic combinations without sufficient backing.
MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree Supporters’ Point of View: Potential Benefits
While opposition is strong, there are also potential advantages that supporters are highlighting.
Holistic Training in MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree
Students trained under both systems might bring a broader perspective, combining preventive, lifestyle and wellness-oriented practices from Ayurveda with diagnostic, surgical and acute care from modern medicine.
Rural Healthcare & Integrative Clinics
In many parts of India, people already use AYUSH alongside allopathic care. Dual-trained doctors might better serve those communities, reduce costs, and improve accessibility.
Research and Evidence-Based Integration
If done properly, the fusion could lead to research exploring the effectiveness of Ayurvedic interventions, herbal medicines, etc., under scientific scrutiny. Some argue this could elevate AYUSH practices through rigorous standards.
What the Regulatory Bodies Say
The Auroville Foundation proposed the integrated course in January 2024, and JIPMER (in collaboration with Ayurvedic universities) has drafted a curriculum.
Under the NMC Act, 2019, there is a provision for joint meetings between the NMC, NCISM and NCH (Commission for Homoeopathy) to promote medical pluralism and approve modules that cross systems. The proposal refers to this as a legitimate path.
However, RTI responses show that the required joint meeting(s) necessary to formalise this haven’t yet been held or decisions taken. For example, one meeting proposed for September 2024 could not be held due to the non-availability of NCISM; no confirmed date for follow-up was decided as of mid-2025.
Where Things Stand Now
The proposal remains at the draft/planning stage. There has been no final approval by NMC or NCISM.
Public and professional debate is ongoing. The IMA, backed by many allopathic practitioners, is pressing for immediate withdrawal. On the other side, Ayurveda practitioners and supporters of integrative medicine seem more open, seeing it as an opportunity.
There is uncertainty over how the dual degree would function practically, especially around licensing, registering, prescribing rights, and recognition.
Key Questions to be Resolved
To move ahead (or decide on withdrawal), several things must be clarified:
- Legal Basis: Will there be a statutory amendment or change in law to allow a single recognition for the MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree?
- Regulatory Approval: Formal consent and oversight from NMC, NCISM, and other bodies; how responsibility and accountability will be shared.
- Curriculum Design: Ensuring both systems are taught to sufficient depth; avoiding superficial or over-packed modules. What parts of AYUSH and modern medicine are integrated, how are assessments done, etc?
- Licensing & Practice Rights: What are the exact rights graduates will have? For example, performing surgeries, prescribing allopathic medicines, practising AYUSH modalities, cross-prescribing, etc.
- Quality and Safety Safeguards: Clinical placements, faculty training, and evaluation of clinical outcomes. Mechanisms to prevent harm.
- Patient Choice and Transparency: Will patients be clearly informed which system their doctor has training in? Will they have options to choose?
Read Also: BAMS Vs MBBS: Which is Better? Admission, Salary, Colleges
Implications and Reactions
An MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree, if implemented with clarity, could open up novel career paths. But ambiguity raises risk, degrees may not be recognised, or graduates may face hurdles in practice or postgraduate admissions.
Medical colleges in India need to prepare infrastructure, faculty, and a standardised curriculum. Also, there is legal risk and reputational risk if things go wrong.
And finally, for the Healthcare System, it could influence how integrated medicine is delivered in India, especially in underserved areas. There is potential for confusion, misapplication, or undermining of either system if not carefully handled.
The MBBS-BAMS Dual Degree at JIPMER is an ambitious plan with both potential upsides and significant risks. While proponents view it as a bridge between modern medical science and traditional practices, critics view it as a slippery slope toward dilution of standards, unregulated hybrid practice, and legal confusion.
At present, the proposal remains under discussion, not yet approved. The Indian Medical Association’s firm opposition highlights the intensity of the debate.
As India considers reforms in medical education and recognises pluralism in medicine, this proposal will likely serve as a test case: whether integrative medicine can be formalised safely, transparently and with regulatory rigour, or whether such hybrid models will be deemed untenable.
