In a significant move aimed at ensuring continuity and sustained momentum in India’s traditional healthcare sector, the Government of India has extended the tenure of  Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, till

The extension reflects the Centre’s confidence in Vaidya Kotecha’s leadership and his pivotal role in transforming the Ministry of AYUSH into a globally recognized institution promoting India’s traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, a distinguished Ayurveda practitioner and healthcare administrator, became the first person from the private sector to be appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of AYUSH in 2017. Since assuming office, he has spearheaded several landmark initiatives aimed at strengthening the integration of traditional medicine into the mainstream healthcare ecosystem and expanding India’s global footprint in holistic healthcare.

Under his leadership, the Ministry has witnessed remarkable progress in areas such as evidence based research, digitalization of AYUSH services, international collaborations, standardization of traditional medicine practices, and the promotion of preventive and integrative healthcare models. The Ministry has also significantly enhanced the global acceptance of Ayurveda and other traditional systems through strategic partnerships with international organizations, academic institutions, and healthcare bodies.

The extension comes at a crucial juncture when India is increasingly positioning itself as a global leader in wellness and integrative healthcare. The Ministry of AYUSH has played an instrumental role in advancing the government’s vision of leveraging traditional medicine as a key component of public health and preventive care.

Industry stakeholders and healthcare experts have welcomed the decision, viewing it as a positive step toward ensuring policy continuity and accelerating ongoing initiatives in the AYUSH sector. The continuation of Vaidya Kotecha’s tenure is expected to further strengthen India’s efforts in promoting evidence based traditional medicine, fostering innovation, and enhancing the global credibility of AYUSH systems.

As India continues to champion the concept of holistic and patient-centric healthcare, the extension of Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha’s tenure underscores the government’s commitment to preserving and modernizing the country’s rich heritage of traditional medicine while positioning AYUSH as a vital pillar of the nation’s healthcare and wellness strategy.

With another year at the helm, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha is expected to drive the next phase of growth and global engagement for the AYUSH sector, reinforcing India’s leadership in traditional medicine and integrative healthcare on the world stage.