AYUSH Department to Launch Panchkarma Technician Courses in 12 Ayurvedic Hospitals Across Himachal Pradesh.
Move aimed at boosting wellness and medical tourism; intake to rise from 36 to 252 seats from next session.
Shimla:
In a major step towards promoting wellness and medical tourism on the lines of Kerala, the Himachal Pradesh Government has announced the launch of one-year Panchkarma Technician courses in 12 Ayurvedic hospitals across the state from the next academic session. The initiative, led by the Department of AYUSH, aims to enhance professional training in traditional healing systems and create new employment opportunities in the fast-growing wellness sector.
At present, the state offers only 36 seats in the Panchkarma Technician course. Acting on the directives of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the AYUSH Department will now increase the total intake to 252 seats, significantly expanding opportunities for the youth.
A government spokesperson said that the Rajiv Gandhi Government Post Graduate Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Paprola (Kangra), and the Regional Ayurvedic Hospital, Chhota Shimla, currently admit 18 students each. Under the expansion plan, the intake capacity at Paprola will be doubled to 36, while Chhota Shimla will admit 24 students.
Additionally, 12 new institutions will begin offering the course from the upcoming academic year. These include District Ayurvedic Hospitals at Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Solan, Una, and Nahan, as well as Ayurvedic Hospitals at Nalagarh, Dehra, and Rampur—each with 16 seats.
The spokesperson emphasized that the decision will not only help generate skilled Panchkarma technicians within the state but also strengthen Himachal’s position as a hub for holistic health and wellness tourism. “The initiative will bridge the gap between traditional healing practices and modern wellness needs, offering professional training to youth and promoting Himachal as a centre of natural healing,” the official said.
Highlighting the state’s rich natural resources, the spokesperson added that Himachal Pradesh is a treasure trove of medicinal herbs, providing a natural advantage for developing Panchkarma-based wellness therapies. Recognizing this potential, the Chief Minister has directed the Department to scale up training facilities and fully utilize the state’s herbal wealth for economic and health-related benefits.
The introduction of Panchkarma Technician courses at multiple centres is expected to open new avenues for self-employment and entrepreneurship, particularly in the fields of spa management, wellness retreats, and Ayurvedic therapy centres.
With this expansion, the government envisions a strong workforce of trained Panchkarma professionals capable of meeting the rising demand for Ayurvedic and holistic healthcare services both within India and internationally. The move is also seen as a strategic push toward integrating traditional medicine with tourism and sustainable development, making Himachal Pradesh a prominent name in India’s wellness map.
