Odisha Cabinet Approves Major Restructuring of AYUSH Assistant Cadre to Boost Traditional Healthcare Services

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the Odisha AYUSH Assistant (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2025. The changes mark a major reform in the staffing structure of AYUSH health services and aim to improve both career prospects for personnel and healthcare delivery across the state.

With the growing integration of AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres in government Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic dispensaries, the state government has recognized the need for a rational and timely promotional structure for AYUSH staff. The restructuring is designed to meet increasing public demand for traditional medicine, especially in rural and underserved areas.

As part of the overhaul, the Cabinet has approved the creation of 350 posts of Senior AYUSH Assistants and 12 posts of Head AYUSH Assistants. These positions will come under revised pay scales according to the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017, with Senior Assistants placed at Level-7 and Head Assistants at Level-9.

Officials said the move will not only provide promotional opportunities within the AYUSH cadre but also enable more effective management and delivery of services in the field. The state government aims to ensure that Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic services remain accessible, particularly in areas where these systems form a key part of primary healthcare.

This amendment is part of Odisha’s broader strategy to integrate AYUSH more deeply into its public health infrastructure and ensure that human resource policies are aligned with the functional expansion of health and wellness centres across the state.