Implementation of AYUSH Committee Report in Five Railway Hospitals: Railway Board Issues New Guidelines for AYUSH Consultants

पांच रेलवे अस्पतालों में आयुष समिति की रिपोर्ट लागू करना: रेलवे बोर्ड ने आयुष सलाहकारों के लिए नई गाइडलाइंस जारी कीं

Implementation of AYUSH Committee Report in Five Railway Hospitals; The Ministry of Railways has issued an important circular regarding the implementation of the AYUSH Committee Report in five existing Railway Hospitals across India. Through RBE No. 59/2026 dated 13 July 2026, the Railway Board has approved the recommendations of the AYUSH Committee for the engagement of AYUSH Consultants on a pilot basis in selected Railway Hospitals.

The initiative aims to strengthen alternative healthcare services under the Staff Benefit Fund (SBF) while ensuring quality treatment for Railway beneficiaries through Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha, Unani and Yoga systems.

Railway Board Circular Highlights

RBE No.: 59/2026
Date: 13 July 2026
Subject: Implementation of AYUSH Committee Report in existing five Railway Hospitals
Issued by: Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)

Background of the AYUSH Committee

The Railway Board had constituted a high-level committee comprising:

Executive Director (Health) – Convener
Executive Director (Establishment)
Executive Director (Finance)

The committee was entrusted with preparing a policy for the rationalization of AYUSH Consultants and Ayurvedic/Homeopathic practitioners appointed under the Staff Benefit Fund.

After examining the existing system, the Committee submitted its recommendations, which have now been approved by the Chairman & CEO, Railway Board. Initially, these recommendations will be implemented in five Railway Hospitals before considering expansion based on performance and feedback.

Five Railway Hospitals Selected for Pilot Implementation

The revised AYUSH policy will initially be implemented in the following Railway Hospitals:

B.R. Singh Hospital, Sealdah – Eastern Railway
Northern Railway Central Hospital, New Delhi
Central Hospital, Maligaon, Guwahati – Northeast Frontier Railway
Central Hospital, Perambur, Chennai – Southern Railway
Jagjivan Ram Hospital, Mumbai – Western Railway

Railway hospitals have also been instructed to submit feedback after six months regarding:

Patient footfall
Customer satisfaction
Performance of AYUSH Consultants

This evaluation will determine future expansion of the scheme.

Major Recommendations of the AYUSH Committee

1. Flexible Working Hours

AYUSH Consultants may continue to be engaged either for:

4 Hours Daily
8 Hours Daily

The working hours will depend upon local requirements and will be reviewed periodically based on patient demand.

2. Expansion of AYUSH OPDs

New AYUSH OPDs may be introduced primarily in Railway Hospitals having 150 beds or more. Hospitals with fewer beds may also start AYUSH Clinics after approval from the General Manager based on actual demand.

3. Annual Performance Review

Performance of every AYUSH Consultant will be reviewed annually by nominated officers. Based on patient turnout:

Working hours may be increased
Under-utilized systems may be discontinued

4. Maximum Age Limit

The upper age limit for AYUSH Practitioners has been fixed at:

70 years

No fresh one-year contract shall be offered to applicants having less than one year remaining before attaining 70 years of age.

Recruitment Process

AYUSH Consultants will be selected through an open and transparent recruitment process conducted by the Personnel Department.

The selection committee will also include one expert from a recognized hospital specializing in the concerned AYUSH discipline.

Terms and Conditions of Engagement

The Committee has prescribed detailed service conditions for AYUSH Consultants.

Nature of Employment

Purely contractual appointment.
Not treated as Railway employees.
Initial tenure of one year.
Renewal based on satisfactory performance.
Maximum engagement up to 70 years of age.
Minimum seven-day gap between two contractual terms.

Working Conditions

Attendance on all working days.
Hospital will provide necessary room, furniture and equipment.
Consultants must maintain OPD registers.
Responsible for maintenance of supplied equipment.
Only Railway beneficiaries can be treated.
Cannot issue medical certificates.

Leave Rules

8 days paid leave annually.
Maximum 4 consecutive leave days.
Excess leave will result in proportionate deduction of honorarium.

Other Restrictions

No Railway residential accommodation.
No Pass/PTO or other Railway employee benefits.
Retired Railway employees are not eligible.

These revised guidelines will apply prospectively and will govern future engagements without disturbing existing contractual terms already in force.

Honorarium for AYUSH Consultants

Working Hours	Monthly Honorarium
8 Hours	₹75,000
4 Hours	₹37,500

The honorarium is fixed without any additional allowances. The remuneration will be adjusted proportionately if working hours are modified by the Railway Administration.

Eligible AYUSH Disciplines

The revised recruitment rules cover the following categories:

Ayurveda Practitioner
Yoga Instructor
Unani Practitioner
Siddha Practitioner
Homeopathy Practitioner

Applicants must possess recognized qualifications, valid registration with the respective Central or State Councils, and normally five years of professional experience. Preference will be given to candidates possessing postgraduate qualifications and experience in Government or reputed private hospitals.

Collaboration with National Institute of Ayurveda

The circular also includes a Model Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) based on the collaboration between the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur and Central Hospital, North Western Railway, Jaipur.

The MoU provides a framework for:

Establishment of Ayurveda OPDs
Academic collaboration
Clinical research
Training programmes
Knowledge sharing
Development of integrated healthcare services

This model may be adopted by other Railway Hospitals operating AYUSH Clinics.

Importance of the New AYUSH Policy

The implementation of the AYUSH Committee Report is expected to:

Improve access to traditional healthcare systems for Railway employees and pensioners.
Provide standardized recruitment and service conditions for AYUSH Consultants.
Ensure better accountability through annual performance reviews.
Expand holistic healthcare services in Railway Hospitals.
Create uniform honorarium and eligibility norms across Indian Railways.
Promote evidence-based integration of AYUSH with Railway healthcare services.

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