AIIA Launches ‘Garbhini Mitra’ Course to Strengthen Ayurveda-Based Maternal Wellness Support.
New Delhi:
The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, an autonomous premier institution under the Ministry of Ayush, has launched the ‘Garbhini Mitra’ Course for the 2026–27 academic session. The six-month skill-development programme is aimed at preparing trained personnel to provide health education, lifestyle guidance and community-level support to women during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
The initiative is based on traditional Ayurvedic concepts including Garbhini Paricharya, which focuses on antenatal care; Sutika Paricharya, relating to postnatal care; and Garbhadhana Vidhi, which addresses pre-conceptional care.
Six-month offline training programme
The Garbhini Mitra Course will be conducted offline at the AIIA campus in Sarita Vihar, New Delhi. Classes will be held Monday to Friday, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, over a period of six months.
The programme has been designed to provide participants with practical knowledge and skills relevant to maternal wellness and community support. The curriculum covers trimester-specific dietetics, lifestyle modifications and pregnancy-safe yoga, along with emotional support during labour and basic care practices for newborns.
Participants will also receive training in newborn massage and basic life support protocols. In addition, the course places emphasis on infection prevention and control, sanitisation, biomedical waste management and workplace safety.
Eligibility and admissions
The course will admit 20 students per batch. Candidates who have successfully passed the Senior Secondary (10+2) examination from any recognised board in India are eligible to apply, provided they are at least 18 years of age.
Candidates who are currently awaiting their Class 12 results can also submit provisional applications, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed eligibility requirements.
The last date to submit applications is August 31, 2026.
Career opportunities after completion
The programme is intended to develop a trained support workforce for maternal wellness services. After successful completion, candidates can pursue roles such as:
– Garbhini Mitra Assistant
– Prenatal/Postnatal Care Assistant
– Antenatal Wellness Guide
– Maternal Health Support Worker
According to the institute, trained personnel may find opportunities in Ayush centres, maternity clinics, non-governmental organisations, community health projects and wellness institutions.
Supportive role, not a replacement for clinical care
AIIA has emphasised that the Garbhini Mitra initiative is intended to complement, and not replace, professional clinical antenatal care. Pregnant women must continue to undergo routine medical check-ups, diagnostic investigations and monitoring of important health parameters such as blood pressure and haemoglobin levels.
Garbhini Mitras are expected to function as trained support personnel who can provide appropriate health and lifestyle guidance, recognise potential warning signs and help facilitate timely referral to qualified doctors and healthcare facilities when medical attention is required.
The initiative therefore seeks to combine selected traditional Ayurvedic approaches to maternal wellness with essential health-support and safety practices, while maintaining the importance of qualified medical supervision throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period.
Eligible candidates interested in the programme can apply by August 31, 2026 and refer to the Academic Brochure – Garbhini Mitra for detailed information regarding the admission process, curriculum and other requirements.
