- The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill 2020 has been passed by Rajya Sabha today.
- The Bill was earlier passed in Lok Sabha on 19th March, 2020.
- The institute will be declared an institution of national importance following the passage of the bill and will be instrumental for the promotion of quality and excellence in education, research and training in Ayurveda.
- The bill seeks to merge three institutes into one integrated centre.
- It will be called the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), which will be based in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
- It will be the first Ayurveda institution to be given the status of institution of national importance.
- It is the oldest Ayurveda centre created by the government way back in 1956.
- This is a cluster of highly reputed institutions, namely,
- (a) Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda,
- (b) Shree Gulab Kunverba Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, and
- (c) Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical sciences,
- (d) Maharshi Patanjali Institute for Yoga Naturopathy Education & Research (to be made part of the Department of Swasthvritta of the proposed ITRA).
