The Department of Indian System of Medicine has brought to the notice of colleges offering courses in ISM that no college or institution should open a new or higher course of training, including post-graduate course; increase its admission capacity in any course or training, or establish an Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy medical college without prior permission of the Central Government.

This is in accordance with the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Act 2003 and Homeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Act 2002.

The department has cautioned that the establishment of any college of Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani after November 7, 2003 and any college of Homeopathy without the prior permission of the Government of India would not be valid for providing recognised qualification for medical practice.

The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Act 2003 also provides that all Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha colleges which were established prior to November 7, 2003 should obtain permission of the Central Government by November 6, 2006.

The Central Council of Indian Medicine is the statutory body constituted under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970. This Council prescribes minimum standards of education in Indian Systems of Medicine viz. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani. The council is responsible to maintain a central register on Indian medicine and prescribes standards of professional conduct, etiquette and code of ethics to be observed by the practitioners.

The Central Council of Homoeopathy was established under the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973. The council prescribes and recognises all homeopathic medicine qualifications. Any university or medical institutions that desires to grant a medical qualification in homeopathy is required to apply to the council. The council is responsible for constitution and maintenance of a Central Register of Homoeopathy.

There are over 180 recognised homeopathy colleges offering PG courses in India as per the latest information available with the Central Council of Homeopathy. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar account for more than half of the total recognised homeopathy colleges in India.