MUMBAI: The field of medical education has undergone a change, with the aspirations and priorities of students changing from the traditional path. For youngsters who clear NEET, the MBBS degree continues to be the most sought-after option, with students competing for seats in various colleges and quotas, including expensive management seats. However, the dental course, which was once a second choice, now has Ayurveda – the ancient system of Indian medicine – snapping at its heels.
The numbers tell the story: In Maharashtra, a private Ayurveda college closes its first round of admissions with a NEET cut-off score of 387, while a private dental college stands at 396. Dental is still a little behind, but the competition is uneven. there are 95 private Ayurvedic colleges compared to 25 private dental institutes.
The same trend was seen in government institutions – admissions in four dental colleges ended with a NEET score of 606, while the cut-off in 22 government and Ayurveda-aided colleges was 436 at the end of the first round.
In the previous year, the last candidate who got the government Ayurveda seat had scored 516 in NEET, while the admission in government dental was 515. In private colleges, dental cut off was 201 compared to 206 Ayurveda.
“This year, top Ayurvedic colleges have recorded high cut-offs. Students who missed MBBS seats by a whisker, have put their next choice as Ayurveda instead of dentistry. Hence, admissions in some colleges, including mine, have crossed the score. of 450,” said the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences chairman of the standing committee Balasaheb Pawar.
There is another indicator of growing interest in Ayurveda, which has the highest number of colleges and seats after Nursing: There is a beeline to start more Ayurveda colleges, said a source from the CET cell.
Pawar added that after Covid, the dental market collapsed and there were vacant seats in government dental colleges for the last three years. “Before Covid, Ayurveda was sick… even though there were fewer colleges than now, seats remained vacant,” he said.
Pawar increased the popularity of Ayurveda on several factors: the opening of government jobs for Ayurveda graduates, the expansion of the scope of work that allowed him to practice as a general practitioner and the increase in the number of patients who became “various India-pathy” post-Covid.
Ayurveda’s rise has been so rapid that there are whispers that some colleges are now charging capitation fees — even though it’s illegal, a sign of the field’s influence.
“Earlier Ayurvedic colleges were charging 3x the regular fee for institutional quota seats, while MBBS colleges were allowed to charge 5x. This year, Ayurvedic colleges have demanded that the 5x rule be extended as well. The Regulatory Committee But the college has been charging 5x,” said a representative of Sachin’s parents. Bang.
MUHS Vice Chancellor Lt. General (Retd) Dr Madhuri Kanitkar said that he was steering Ayurveda into uncharted territory. “With a clear focus on rigorous research, improved standards in Ayurveda education, and commitment to a truly holistic view of health, we are redefining the field. Some Indians practice pluralism – people at the front follow Ayurveda, people swear by homeopathy, healthy science and health stress not only curative, but also preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative & palliative,” he said.
The creation of a dedicated AYUSH department and the appointment of an Ayurveda doctor as pro-vice chancellor for the first time is a strong signal that the university is focused on Ayurveda.
Senior Ayurvedic pediatrician Dr Hetal Nagda has observed a significant change: Ayurveda has gained momentum post-pandemic, with support from multiple fronts. “The Indian government has championed the digitization of records and promoted the benefits, but what’s amazing is that people from all walks of life are now embracing it.” Even allopathic doctors, he said, now refer children to Ayurvedic practitioners for “certain conditions”.