Provisions on Bachelors degree for Siddha System of medicine notified vide National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Standard of Undergraduate Siddha Education) Regulations, 2022

On 9^th March, 2022, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine notified National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Standard of Undergraduate Siddha Education) Regulations, 2022 detailing the system of admission and education of training of students under Siddha system of medicine.

Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (B.S.M.S.) Programme, created under the autonomous board of Siddha system of medicine formed by the provisions of National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020. The regulation notifies the minimum standards adopted for undergraduate students.

Siddha System of Medicine–

Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) regulates the training of medical practitioners called “Siddhars” to conduct the traditional medicine system of India.

After being recognised by the Central Government Siddha medicine was taken up as a conventional form medicine practice in India. Earlier, Siddha being an alternative system of medicine the doctors of Siddha system were considered “quacks”. But, now, Siddha system in being taken up by National Institute of Siddha and Central Council for Research in Siddha.

Key points

Under-graduates in Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (B.S.M.S.)-

• The programme trains the practitioners in having profound knowledge of Siddha Medicine along with the contemporary advances in the field of Siddha Medicine with knowledge of scientific and technological advances in modern sciences and technology along with extensive practical training, as an efficient physicians and surgeons for the health care services.
• Candidates who qualify to pursue BSMS should posses minimum education of 10+2 with additional knowledge of language of Tamil. Proficiency in Tamil being a mandatory eligibility for the candidates. Siddha medicine is practiced by “Siddhars”referred in Tamil as vaithiyars.
• Admission through National Eligibility- cum- Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to under-graduate programme in each academic year and shall be conducted by an authority designated by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine.
• For foreign national candidate, any other equivalent qualification approved by the Central Government may be allowed.
• Duration of the course has been made for period of five years and six months and the degree awarded will be named as Siddha Maruthuva Arignar (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery – B.S.M.S.).

Electives and Clinical Training-

• The main programme included Electives and clinical training to provide students with and opportunity to learn in varied allied subjects to build inter-disciplinary approach.
• Clinical training of the student shall start from the First Professional session onwards and subject related clinical training shall be provided in the attached hospital by the concerned faculty and department in non-lecture hour.
• Clinical training for the Second Professional session shall be conducted through envagai thervu, application of Siddha principles in OPD and IPD patients, examination of muthodam migu gunam or kurai gunam features in patients, training on naadi/ neerkkuri– neikkuri parisothanai, etc.
• Third (Final) Professional session will be conducted on the rotation basis in clinical departments Maruthuvam, Varmam, Puramaruthuvam and Sirappumaruthuvam, Avasara Maruthuvam, etc.

Medium of instruction–

The medium of instruction for the programme shall be Tamil or English or any recognised regional language or Hindi.

Qualifications and Departments for Appointment of teaching staff-

1. The teaching staff of varied department should have the respective post graduation education in addition to B.S.M.S.
2. Qualification for teacher of Research Methodology and Medical Statistics shall be a post-graduate degree in Medical Statistics or Biostatistics or Epidemiology or other relevant discipline of Research Methodology or Medical Statistics.
3. The qualification and experience for the post of Head of the Institution (Principal or Dean or Director) is the same qualification and experience as specified for the post of Professor with minimum three years of administrative experience (Vice Principal or Head of the Department or Deputy Medical Superintendent or Medical Superintendent etc.)
4. The Salary and allowances shall be paid to the teacher at par with the norms laid down by the Central Government or University Grants Commission or the State Government or Union territory.

Composition of the Committees for SMASTD-ISM and Expert Committees-

• A Core Committee named as “SMASTD-ISM” will be created with the President, Board of Unani, Siddha and Sowa Rigpa as, Chairperson.
• The committee shall ensure the applicability of the identified modern advancement or scientific and technological development to basic principles of Siddha with the help of two experts from Siddha.
• Expert Committee shall be constituted by Board of Unani, Siddha and Sowa Rigpa; comprise of five members.
• The committee shall work on the suggestions from the core committee and the need of advance technology in Siddha.

*Shubhi Srivastava, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.