The Keralam government is considering locations in Thrissur and Kasaragod districts to set up an All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) under the Ayush Ministry.

According to Health department sources, a draft proposal in this regard has been sent to the Centre. The State government has identified over 200 acres each near Athirappilly in Vettilappara Grama Panchayat in Thrissur and Cheemeni Grama Panchayat in Neeleswaram block in Kasaragod, it is learnt. The land in Thrissur is owned by the Ex-Servicemen Cooperative Colony chaired by the District Collector. The site in Kasaragod is owned by the Plantation Corporation. The Ayush Ministry had sent a letter to the State in June in connection with the site selection process.

The Centre is planning to set up three such institutes in the country. Expansion of high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate education, advanced research, and tertiary care services are in the pipeline. Funds have been allocated in the 2026-27 Union Budget for the purpose. At present, there is only one AIIA, which is located in the national capital.

Earlier, the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) had urged Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to take steps to bring the AIIA to Keralam. D. Ramanathan, general secretary, AMMOI, says that there are 18 Ayurveda colleges, around 660 manufacturing units, and service sector units with over 2,000 beds in Keralam. There are medicinal plant cultivation ventures and export units as well. “However, we don’t have many peer-reviewed journals or citations when it comes to research-oriented work. There needs to be some sort of a practical collaboration between academics, research, and the manufacturing industry. Setting up an AIIA will be a step in the right direction. It will also boost tourism prospects as a large number of foreigners are arriving here for Ayurvedic treatment,” he points out.