Introduction

Council of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, or “CCAM” for short, has been formed solely to assist the registered practitioners of alternate and indigenous systems of medicine followed in India since time immemorial. This rich repository but unregulated bank of knowledge has the unparalleled potential to cure and heal people naturally – by dealing with the cure and not just the symptoms!
CCAM is a body incorporated for safeguarding, boosting and certifying the alternate medicine practice and medicines treatment PAN INDIA as well as GLOBALLY. The medicinal practice and treatment and medicines under CCAM is restricted to the field and sub-fields of Yoga, Siddha, Naturopathy, Unani, Homeopathy, Ayurveda and all other alternate medicinal facilities but does not include allopathic treatment, practice and medicines in whatsoever ways.CCAM council members are basically globally reputed 

alternate medical practitioners hailing from India and other nations who have gathered to protect and safeguard the essence and existence of alternate medicines, induct to people the advantages of diverting from chemicalized drugs to nutraceutical products, certifying authentic and genuine alternate medicine practitioners PAN INDIA as well as GLOBALLY. The other category of council members in CCAM includes Class 1 ex/active-government bureaucrats, Chartered Accountants, legal practitioners of top repute, ex/active -defense top cadre officials, top administrative consultants, etc whose roles and responsibilities are to sustain and maintain the ethos of CCAM and prevent/avoid any kind of manipulation and un-parliamentary conducts within the Council. Read More

Proposed CCAM International Agencies

1.       CCAM Child sexual Abuse Initiative with UNICEF shall/will provide training in Child Sexual abuse.
2. CCAM shall/ will organize and celebrate all WHO, International, World and CCAM days (International Yoga Day, etc.)
3. CCAM shall/ will provide a platform to interact with other associations of the world.
4. CCAM shall/ will influence National policies
5. CCAM representative shall/ will/may be a proposed member of AYUSH, National Board of Examinations and Central Council of Health and Family Welfare.
6. CCAM members are on state and central government advisory board.
7. CCAM member will get opportunity to appear in TV shows, Radio show, write articles in print media and participate in public shows.
8. CCAM members will get an opportunity to apply for National and International awards.
9. CCAM recognizes the service of talents within the professional members.
10. CCAM shall support start up projects
11. CCAM honours and supports doctors who author medical books.
12. CCAM also shall have CCAM book of alternate medical records.

CCAM – A Legal Overview

The following books have been released by the Council –
Alternate Medical Doctors Law Volume I - Alternate Medical Council of India (Rules, Regulations, Notifications, Circulars, Acts and Laws from British era and as enacted by the Government of India till today
Alternate Medical Doctors Law Volume II - Alternate Medical Council of India (Judgements passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and various Hon’ble High Courts across India).
In this process Govt. has considered the Orders dated 18.11.98 of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in CWP No.4015/96 & OM NO.8468/97, which has inter-alia, directed the Central / State Govts., to consider making legislation to grant of licenses to the existing and new institutes etc. to control & regulate the various "unrecognised" streams of alternative medicines and also to give adequate publicity through media informing public about the Registered Alternate Medical Practitioners and similar other institutes for being recognized by the Government and affiliated with any of the Councils.

The Government constituted a 'Standing Committee of Experts' under the Chairmanship of Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research and members were drawn from various fields of medicine to consider and give its recommendations to the Government. on the efficacy / merits of various streams of alternative medicine and also examine feasibility of making legislation as suggested by the Hon'ble Court. The Committee developed essential & desirable criteria for grant of recognition to a new stream of medicine and analysed the different streams of 'Alternative medicine' viz. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy, Yoga & Naturopathy, Elecropathy / Electro homoeopathy, Acupuncture, Magnetotherapy, Reiki, Reflexology, Urine Therapy / Autocrine Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Aromatherapy, Colour Therapy, Pranic Healing, Gems & Stone Therapy and Music Therapy.

The Committee has recommended that certain practices, not included in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy and Yoga & Naturopathy, such as Acupuncture and Hypnotherapy which qualified as modes of therapy, could be allowed to be practiced by registered practitioners or appropriately trained personnel, which were found to fulfil the essential & desirable criteria developed by the Committee for recognition of a system of medicine. The Committee further suggested that all those Systems of Medicine not recognized as separate Systems should not be allowed to continue full time Bachelor and Master's degree courses and the term "Doctor" should be used only by practitioners of Systems of Medicine recognized by the Government of India. Those considered as Mode of Therapy can be conducted as Certificate courses for registered medical practitioners to adopt these modes of therapy in their practice, whether modern medicine or Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy.

After carefully examining the various recommendations of the Committee, the Government accepted these recommendations of the Committee. Accordingly, it is requested that the State/UT Govt. may give wide publicity to the decision of the Govt. They may also ensure that Institutions under the State/UT do not grant any degree / Diploma in the stream of medicine which have not been recommended for recognition and the term 'Doctor' is used by practitioners of recognized system of medicine

(Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Research Desk) Order dated 25th November 2003, bearing No. R.14015/25/96-U&H(R) (Pt))

!!!! No Harassment to Registered Alternative Medical Practitioners !!!

The Police is having no right to injunct or prevent the Practitioner from practicing the Alternate System of Medicine within the scope of the Certificate. Non-compliance amounts to Contempt of Court (In the judgment and Order dated 18.11.1998 in F.A.O. NO.205/92 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India)

Legality, Validity & Utility of the training courses, practice and research in the field of Alternative Systems of Medicines are in strict conformity with the Constitution of India as per Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India and the laws of the land.

Successful and trained students of the Council can practice and profess the various systems of Alternative Medicines as per the Rules and Regulation of the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines anywhere in India.

The Hon'ble High Court of Calcutta passed an Order of "Status quo" in favour of Indian Board of Alternative Medicines against the respondents namely (Department of Home (Police), Union of India; Department of Health and Family Welfare, Union of India; Medical Council of India and others). Hence the practitioners of Indian Board of Alternative Medicines can practice Alternative System of Medicines without any interference by the above named respondents.

Registration from Medical Council of India (MCI) is not required to practice the alternative systems of medicines as per their letter No. MCI-34(1) / 96-Med. / 10984 addressed to the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines.

ISO 9001:2008 Certification: Indian Board of Alternative Medicines has been conferred with the ISO 9001:2008 Certificate of Registration for Providing Alternative Medicine, Holistic Medicine and Allied Health Sciences Courses Through Regular and Distance Education.

1. Government of India, G.R. No.: 12011/3/80-ISM dated 15/07/1981;
2. Government of India, G.R. No.: 14015/25/96-U&H(R)(Pt.) dated 25/11/1977;
3. Government of India, G.R. No.: 1077/6006/PH-7 dated 01/12/1977;
4. Section 2(2)(iii) of Maharashtra Medical Practioners Act, 1961;
5. Government of India: Recognition of New Medical Systems Bill 2005;
6. Order No. C.O.P. (MD) No 9466 of 2007 dated 14/09/2007 passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Madras;
7. Order No. Crl.O.P. (MD) No 8085 of 2007 dated 09/08/2007 passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Madras;
8. Writ-W.P. (MD) No. 2452 of 2010 dated 25/03/2010 passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Madras;
9. No. V.25011/276/2009-HR dated 05/05/2010 passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Allahabad;
10. Cr.W.P./304/96 dated 19/12/1996

Alternate Medical Practice and Medicine Treatment

CCAM is formed pursuant to all Rules, Regulations, Notifications, Circulars, Acts and Laws as enacted by the Government of India from the British era till today and Orders and Judgements passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and various High Courts across the country. Practising the primary art of healthy living, using organic and naturally grown plant and herbs, following the Vedic systems of Ayurvedic Herbal Preparation and Application. These systems do not involve any allopathic medicines, drugs or surgical procedures. These traditional procedures are purely drugless, non-pharmaceutical, non-invasive, non-surgical and therefore devoid of any side effects. As per Government notifications and directives, there is no provision and necessity of registration for their practise. These alternate systems do not come under the provisions of the Maharashtra Medical Practioners Act 1961 and Bombay Nursing Home Act, 1949. They are adequately protected under The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940) (Chapter IV-A – sections 33-B to 33-O read with the First Schedule (section 3 (a) of the Act)) along with The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 (as amended by The Drugs and Cosmetics (Ninth Amendment) Rules 2017 (G.S.R 327(E) dated 3rd April 2017)) and The Drug (Control) Act 1950 (26 of 1950), The Indian Medical Central Council Act, 1970, Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), Government of India, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill.

Thoughts On Alternative Systems Of Medicine

"The Judicious use of Alternative Systems of Medicine is found cost effective and having lesser or no side effects. India stays in rural setup, where medicines from alternative systems can play very big role in curing the primary healthcare problems”- Shri Narendra Modi ji
- Hon’ble Prime Minister
- India

"I am also happy to learn that the Council is providing research, education, health services through holistic approach with complementary alternative & traditional medicines for the benefit of the society."- Late Shri Arun Jaitley
- former Minister of Finance
- Government of India

"Though, both Central as well as State Governments are laying enormous focus to create health care infrastructure, we still face huge shortage of doctors, particularly in rural areas. The resurgence of traditional and alternative medicine can play an important role to bridge this gap. I am happy to know that All India Council of Alternative Medical Science & Research has completed 10 years of its service."- Shri Kiran Rijiju
- Minister of Home Affairs
- Government of India

“In India, the Alternative systems have been catering to the needs of people in rural and tribal areas. However, extensive research is required to identify the herbs, roots and other ingredients that have curative properties. This will pave way for rejecting some harmful medicines leading to serious consequences. I hope the Council will initiate some concrete measures in these regards.”- Dr. S. C. Jamir
- Hon’ble Governor
- Odisha

“I am confident that the Council would continue to contribute in promotion of alternative systems of medicine with greater momentum and motivation. I am also sure that practitioners in the field of alternative medicines too would contribute equally to the cause of society and humanity.”- Shri Vakkom Purushothaman
- Governor
- Mizoram

“Alternative Medicines offer inexpensive and effective treatment for many diseases and are more helpful to the common man. Therefore, importance of alternative systems of medicines is being increasingly realized in our country”- Shri Akhilesh Yadav
- Samajwadi Party

“I hope that the Council would continue to play its role in serving the cause of alternative medicine and improvement in health care of the people of the country”- Shri Ashok Gehlot
- Hon’ble Chief Minister
- Rajasthan

“Alternative medicines are gaining prominence across the world. It is time to integrate all systems of medicines to ensure a holistic approach of treatment”- Late Smt. Sheila Dikshit
- Former Chief Minister
- New Delhi

“The concept of research, education & Health Services of council of alternative system of medicines has given a lot of benefits to the society at large. This alternative system of medicine is well known in India, which is different than other system of medicines and without side effects”- Shri Nitin Patel
- Hon’ble Ministry of Finance, Health, Medical Education, Family Welfare, Transport
- Gujarat

“Alternative System of medicine is gaining popularity among people not only because it provides an economical alternative but also seeks to eliminate unhealthy dependence on medicines. It explores the cause of the symptom rather than simply treat it.”- Shri Balmiki Prasad Singh
- Hon’ble Governor
- Sikkim