The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed a writ petition challenging the State Government’s decision to prioritise candidates with a Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS) degree for appointment as Yoga Instructors at Ayush Health and Wellness Centres under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Justice Shamim Ahmed delivered the judgment in WP(MD) No.13342 of 2021, filed by Kasinathadurai, who holds a Diploma and Master’s degree in Yoga but does not possess a BNYS qualification. The petitioner sought to quash the orders issued by the State authorities on 15.07.2021 and 19.07.2021, which gave preference to BNYS degree holders for these appointments.
Background
The petitioner, having completed a Diploma in Yoga (2007) and an M.Sc. in Yoga (2019), worked with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and currently teaches Yoga independently. He contended that the impugned government orders were contrary to the Operational Guidelines issued by the Ministry of AYUSH under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. These guidelines state that local Yoga Teachers with Certification/Diploma/Degree from a recognised body may be deployed, without specifying a preference for BNYS qualifications.
The petitioner argued that the impugned orders arbitrarily excluded eligible Yoga instructors without BNYS degrees and imposed additional qualifications not required by the central scheme.
State and Respondents’ Arguments
The State Government, through the Director of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy and the Health and Family Welfare Department, defended the orders. It was submitted that the engagement of Yoga Instructors under the Ayushman Bharat scheme falls within the State’s domain of implementation under its health policy.
It was further contended that BNYS degree holders are more suitable for such positions, as they not only teach Yoga but also practise Naturopathy — an integral component of treatment offered at AYUSH Wellness Centres. According to the State, Diploma and Master’s holders in Yoga from non-medical institutions are not equipped to treat patients in the clinical context of these centres.
The respondents relied on a prior judgment dated 06.02.2025 in WP(MD) No.23444 of 2023 (J.B. Somukumar v. Under Secretary to Government of India), where a coordinate bench upheld similar prioritisation of BNYS candidates.
Court’s Analysis and Findings
The Court noted that while the Ministry of AYUSH had indeed provided guidelines allowing for the engagement of Yoga Instructors with Certification/Diploma/Degree from recognised bodies, the State Governments were authorised to implement these schemes under their own health policies. It cited the Ministry’s communication dated 18.06.2021 which confirmed that such discretion lies with State or Union Territory governments.
Justice Shamim Ahmed observed:
“When the stipulation of qualification for appointment of Yoga Instructors is within the domain of the State Government, the impugned orders, prescribing BNYS Degree qualification for appointment of Yoga Instructors by the State, cannot be questioned by the Petitioner.”
The Court further held that BNYS degree holders — having studied in medical institutions affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and registered with the Tamil Nadu Board of Indian Medicine and the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy — are more qualified than others holding Yoga qualifications from arts colleges or non-medical institutions.
Quoting from the earlier coordinate bench ruling, the Court reiterated:
“The petitioner and others who are degree/Certification/Diploma holders in Yoga may not be of much help to the patients coming to the said dispensaries except teaching Yoga.”
It added that medical practitioners with BNYS degrees can offer both Yoga and Naturopathy services, which are necessary at AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres, especially in rural areas.
Decision
Dismissing the writ petition, the Court concluded:
“This Court is of the view that the impugned orders of the Respondents 2 and 3, proposing to engage Candidates with BNYS Degree as Yoga Instructors appears to be justified.”
The petition was dismissed with no order as to costs, and connected miscellaneous petitions were also closed.
