SMART program to boost R&D in Ayurveda

About the SMART program-

• ‘SMART’ (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals) program aimed to boost scientific research in priority healthcare research areas through Ayurveda colleges and hospitals.
• The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush have launched this program.
• The proposed initiative is conceptualised with an objective to identify, support and promote innovative research ideas in healthcare research areas including Osteoarthritis, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Chronic Bronchitis, Dyslipidemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Psoriasis, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
• The eligible Ayurveda academic institutions may apply for this program.  

National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM)-

• NCISM  is the statutory body constituted under NCISM Act, 2020.
• It frames  policies for institutions engaged in Indian System of Medicine and medical professionals. 
• The institution has Boards of assessment and rating and Board of ethics and registration of practitioners of Indian systems of medicine.

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)-

• It is an autonomous body of the Ministry of AYUSH.
• It is an apex body in India for the formulation, coordination, development and promotion of research on scientific lines in Ayurveda and Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine.