For the first time since its inception in 2016, Ayurveda Day will be observed on a fixed date—23 September every year, as notified by the Government of India in a Gazette Notification issued in March 2025. Earlier, the occasion was celebrated on Dhanvantari Jayanti (Dhanteras). This historic decision marks a major milestone in giving Ayurveda a universal calendar identity, enabling global recognition and wider participation in celebrations worldwide.
A Historic Shift for Global Ayurveda Recognition
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, announced the theme for Ayurveda Day 2025—“Ayurveda for People & Planet.” He emphasized that Ayurveda is not just a healthcare system, but a complete science of life rooted in harmony between human beings and nature. By fixing 23 September as the annual Ayurveda Day, India has taken a bold step in providing Ayurveda with a consistent global identity, strengthening its relevance for modern healthcare and environmental wellbeing.
In his words, the 2025 theme reflects India’s collective resolve to harness Ayurveda for global wellbeing and planetary health, addressing modern challenges such as lifestyle disorders, mental stress, and climate-related diseases.
Government’s Vision and Global Participation
The Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, highlighted that since its launch in 2016, Ayurveda Day has grown into a global movement showcasing India’s traditional knowledge systems. He cited the findings of the first all-India NSSO survey, which confirmed that Ayurveda is the most widely used system of treatment across both rural and urban regions.
The 2025 celebration, therefore, is not only about cultural pride but also about mainstreaming Ayurveda as a solution for preventive healthcare, holistic wellness, and ecological balance.
Ayurveda Day 2024 – A Landmark in Indian Healthcare
The 9th Ayurveda Day in 2024 was a turning point when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase II of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, launched four new Centres of Excellence, and initiated the nationwide “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan” campaign. These initiatives, worth nearly ₹12,850 crore, reflected the government’s commitment to expanding Ayurveda’s institutional strength and its integration into modern healthcare.
Ayurveda Day 2025 – Plans and Celebrations
Building on this strong foundation, Ayurveda Day 2025 is envisioned as a global health awareness event. The celebrations will include:
- Mass awareness campaigns across India and abroad.
- Youth engagement programmes to spread Ayurveda knowledge.
- Wellness consultations and camps promoting natural healing.
- International collaborations for research, training, and Ayurveda promotion.
Notably, in 2024, Ayurveda Day activities were organised in nearly 150 countries, showcasing Ayurveda’s expanding global footprint. The 2025 celebrations are expected to be even larger, reinforcing Ayurveda’s role in shaping a sustainable and healthy future.
With the new fixed date of 23 September, Ayurveda Day now stands as a global festival of health, harmony, and heritage. The theme “Ayurveda for People & Planet” underscores India’s vision to project Ayurveda as not only a healthcare solution but also a guiding philosophy for ecological balance and planetary wellbeing.
