The Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has constituted an Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) for identifying viable new systems of medicine/therapy. The proposals received for recognition of Acupuncture as a system of medicine were considered by the IDC.

On consideration of the IDC’s report in the matter by the Government, an Apex Committee on Acupuncture has been constituted for developing guidelines for Acupuncture as a system of Healthcare/Therapy; chaired by Dr. V.M. Katoch, former Secretary, DHR and DG ICMR.

The Committee will frame detailed guidelines for promotion and regulation of Acupuncture as a system of Healthcare/Therapy and will suggest steps for implementation of the guidelines as well as for reimbursement for acupuncture. Also, the Committee will suggest appropriate authority/Department for implementation of the guidelines.

The Committee is to submit its final report within a period of three months. Further action in the matter will be taken on the basis of the report to be submitted by the Apex Committee on Acupuncture.