The Gujarat government has excluded Yoga and Naturopathy (Y&N) clinics from the list of recognised medical establishments under the Gujarat Clinical Establishment Act, 2021. With this amendment, Gujarat has become the first state in India to remove these centres from its regulatory framework.
Earlier, Y&N clinics run by qualified BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences) doctors were recognised under the Act, similar to ayurveda, homeopathy, and dental clinics.
The Indian Naturopathy and Yoga Graduates’ Medical Association (INYGMA) has strongly criticised the decision, calling it a threat to public health. In a letter to the state Health Minister, INYGMA president Dr Kersi Desai said the move undermines qualified BNYS practitioners and could legitimise unqualified operators, leading to confusion among citizens and the spread of quackery.
Dr Yashkumar Dodeja, national treasurer of INYGMA, pointed out that Y&N centres managed by BNYS doctors follow treatment protocols approved by the Ministry of Ayush. “This change applies only to Gujarat, not to other states,” he clarified.
Gujarat has around 150 BNYS-qualified doctors, and experts warned that deregulating their clinics blurs the line between certified and unqualified practitioners, posing risks to patient safety and care quality.