The Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has suggested the Indian missions abroad to publicise the various schemes allowing foreign nationals to study ISM courses in India, with a view to globally popularise India's traditional medicines.

An AYUSH communication to the Indian missions abroad said at present 19 seats have been earmarked for foreign students under self-financing scheme and 9 seats have been reserved for the students of BIMSTEC countries namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand under PG course. Indian Council for Cultural Relation, NewDelhi is nodal agency for nominating candidates against these 9 seats.

These students are admitted at the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, National Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai and the National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata. ICCR is providing a scholarship for 30 candidates of BIMSTEC countries including 20 for the BAMS, BUMS & BHMS courses, 9 for PG course and one for Ph.D.(Ay) at National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur.

In Ayurveda, the Dr. B.R.K.R. Government Ayurveda College, Hyderabad and IPGT&RA, Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar offers 3 seats each in P.G. course for foreign nationals. In the case of homeopathy, the JS.P.S. Govt. Homoeopathic College, Hyderabad has reserved one seat and the National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata offers four PG seats. The Government Nizamia Tibbi College, Hyderabad and the National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore offers three seats in Unani medicine. In the field of Siddha, the Govt.Siddha Medical College at Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu offers five seats for foreign nationals to pursue P.G. degree in Siddha.

Under the scheme for Central Nomination to Bachelor in Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS), Bachelor in Unani Medicine & Surgery (BUMS) and Bachelor in Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery (BHMS) Courses, 4 seats are available for foreign students under self-financing scheme, and 20 seats have been reserved for the students of BIMSTEC countries. The four seats under self-financing schemes are at Ayurved & Unani Tibbi College - New Delhi (2 seats), Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, New Delhi, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkotha.

As per the criteria of the Government, the applicant should possess minimum qualification prescribed by the Central Council of Indian Medicine/ Central Council of Homoeopathy for admission to the courses. The Government of the concerned country must recommend the application to Ministry of External Affairs through Indian Missions/Embassies in the respective country, which in turn may send them to Department of Ayush with their endorsement of NOC. The nomination should be received in the Department by the 31st May every year. Thereafter, the Department of Ayush will process the proposal for forwarding their applications to the college (as opted by the foreign students) after taking clearance from Ministry of External Affairs and Home Affairs.