Archive · 12 Jan 2026
Supreme Court Seeks Centre's Reply on AYUSH Doctors' Status
The Supreme Court has asked the government to respond to a request made by a law student.
The student wants AYUSH doctors, who practice traditional Indian medicine, to be recognized as official medical practitioners, just like allopathic doctors.
The student also wants the court to set up a group of experts to update an old law about advertising medicines.
This law currently stops AYUSH doctors from advertising their treatments for certain diseases.
The student argues that this law is too strict and doesn't allow people to know about all the different treatments available.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear this request and has asked the government to respond.
Supreme Court seeks responses from Union ministries of Law, Health, and AYUSH on a plea to recognize AYUSH doctors as 'Registered Medical Practitioners'.
Plea also seeks constitution of an expert committee to review and update the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
Petitioner, Nitin Upadhyay, argues that the current law unfairly restricts AYUSH doctors from advertising their services and medications.
Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, issued notice on the plea.
Plea contends that the Act's blanket ban on advertisements overrides the public's right to information about various treatments.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Union ministries of Law, Health, and AYUSH, Nitin Upadhyay (petitioner)
- What
- Plea to recognize AYUSH doctors as 'Registered Medical Practitioners' under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954
- When
- Monday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- To update the Act to reflect present-day scientific developments and to allow AYUSH doctors to advertise their services and medications
- Petitioner
- Nitin Upadhyay (law student)
- Supreme Court Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
- Act in Question
- Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954
- Section 2(cc)
- Definition of 'registered medical practitioner'
- Section 3(d)
- Prohibition of advertisement of certain drugs for treatment of certain diseases and disorders
- Section 14
- Exception clause not covering AYUSH doctors
