What is AYUSH NEET counselling all about?

Medical aspirants who have successfully cleared the theory round of National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) 2021 but wish to pursue something other than MBBS and BDS can opt for AYUSH NEET counselling that is expected to happen in the month of February. The AYUSH courses are a step away from the traditional allopathic medicines and ways of treatment. Interested candidates can now apply for NEET AYUSH counselling on the official website of AYUSH Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC). Here’s everything aspiring candidates need to know. 

What is the meaning of AYUSH? 
The full form of AYUSH is Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani and Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy.  

While Ayurveda is a traditional Hindu alternative medicine that involves treatment where three bodily humours are made to balance, namely wind, bile and phlegm; Yoga and Naturopathy refers to a non-traditional medical treatment where instead of surgery and drugs, natural remedies (air, water, sun) are taken into consideration alongside trying out physical exercises like yoga and massage.  

Unani is an ancient medical treatment widely practiced in Persian and Arabic countries and is based on the teachings of Greek philosophers Hippocrates and Galen. In Unani, positive health practices and prevention of diseases are promoted. Siddha on the other hand refers to physical improvement through spiritual practices. 

Sowa-rigpa, also known as the science of healing is a traditional Himalayan system of medicine that originated in Tibet and follows treatment by consuming healing herbs.  

Finally, homeopathy refers to a system of treating illnesses with small amounts of powdery or liquid substances, which in larger amounts would produce the observed symptoms. It’s called countering the venom with an anti-venom made from similar products. 

AYUSH NEET counselling: Process and courses available 
As part of AYUSH NEET counselling, qualifying students will be eligible to pursue courses such as Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS), Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS), Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS) and Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS).  

AYUSH NEET counselling will be conducted by AYUSH Admissions Central Counselling Committee in two rounds (Rounds 1 and 2) to fill up the All-India Quota (AIQ) seats of 15 percent. Thereafter, a mop-up round (Round 3) will be conducted separately for admission into central universities, government and government aided medical institutes and private colleges. Finally, the State Counselling Committee will conduct the NEET AYUSH counselling to fill up the rest 85 percent seats. 

For this session, a total of 52,720 seats are available across India in state, central and private universities for AYUSH courses. The allocation of seats will depend upon the students’ merits, choices filled and vacancy of seats. To reserve seat after the first round, candidates will have to pay full admission fees, while if they wish to wait for the next rounds of counselling, they can float this option.