NABH Accreditation for AYUSH Hospitals

The programme in brief

NABH's AYUSH hospital accreditation began in 2009 in association with the Ministry of Ayush. It covers hospitals of every AYUSH system — Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy — and recognises that their therapies, pharmacy and diagnostics differ from allopathic hospitals while holding them to the same patient-safety principles.

To apply, a hospital must have operated for at least six months, have 10 or more sanctioned beds (Yoga & Naturopathy hospitals may apply with day care or without beds) and commit to the applicable NABH AYUSH standards and the law.

If you have between 5 and 9 beds, or want a lighter first step, start with NABH entry-level AYUSH certification. Panchakarma day-care clinics without beds use the Panchakarma clinic programme.

Which standard applies: the new 1st Edition

NABH has released new Accreditation Standards for Ayush Hospitals (1st Edition), one set of standards that applies uniformly to all six AYUSH systems: Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy and Sowa-Rigpa. Its implementation plan of 27 May 2026 (NABH/AYUSH/2026/05377) sets the switch-over:

Accreditation under the plan is valid for four years. NABH began assessing against the new standards on 1 August 2026, accepts no fresh or renewal applications on the old standards after 31 July 2026, and says it will conduct no surveillance on the old standards after that date (its table still lets hospitals whose surveillance falls due before 31 October 2026 choose, so confirm your own case with NABH). The guidebook is sold on the NABH website.

The old system-wise standards they replace were Ayurveda (2nd Edition, April 2016), Homoeopathy (2nd Edition, July 2016), Unani and Siddha (1st Edition, November 2009) and Yoga & Naturopathy (2nd Edition, February 2017). NABH's programme page still lists those editions and the older cycle (surveillance at 15–18 months, re-application in year 3), so expect it to be updated. We write your documentation to the new standards unless NABH confirms an older one for your application.

Why accreditation pays for AYUSH hospitals

The strongest commercial argument is insurance. IRDAI's rules, as summarised in the Ministry of Ayush consumer guide published by the All India Institute of Ayurveda, admit AYUSH in-patient claims for treatment at government AYUSH hospitals or institutions accredited by QCI or NABH. They also define an AYUSH hospital for insurance purposes as one with at least 5 in-patient beds, a qualified AYUSH practitioner in charge round the clock, dedicated AYUSH therapy sections and daily patient records that the insurer can access. Accreditation makes cashless tie-ups with insurers and TPAs far easier — see TPA and insurance empanelment.

Beyond insurance, accreditation builds credibility with medical-value travellers, corporate wellness clients and referring doctors who may otherwise doubt the safety of AYUSH procedures.

What assessors examine in an AYUSH hospital

• Therapy protocols — written procedures for each Panchakarma and other therapy you offer (Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, Raktamokshana, Kshara Sutra and so on), with indications, contraindications, monitoring and post-procedure care.
• Informed consent specific to each therapy, in a language the patient understands.
• Therapist competence — qualifications, training records and supervision by qualified practitioners.
• Pharmacy — procurement from licensed manufacturers, storage conditions, expiry tracking, in-house preparations and dispensing records.
• Infection control in therapy rooms — oil and linen handling, cleaning of droni and steam chambers, hand hygiene and biomedical waste.
• Diet (Pathya) — documented diet plans and a hygienic kitchen.
• Medical records — AYUSH diagnosis alongside vital signs and relevant modern investigations, progress notes and discharge summaries.
• Emergency preparedness — a crash cart, staff trained in basic life support and a referral arrangement with an allopathic hospital.

NABH fees

As listed on nabh.co; 18% GST extra. NABH announced a revised annual accreditation fee for its Ayush programme in December 2025, so confirm the current schedule before you budget.

Our AYUSH experience

AYUSH accreditation is one of our two core specialities. We understand classical treatment protocols and how to document them so that an assessor sees safety without the therapy losing its character. Read our complete guide to NABH for Ayurveda hospitals, or talk to us about your hospital.