Focus on Indian Homoeopathic Educational Sector

Abstract

Homoeopathy is a widely practiced  system of alternative medicine in  India, founded on the principle of  "like cures like." Its journey in the  country began in the early 19th  century, with Bengal playing a  crucial role in its initial development  in India. The system gained traction  in both civil and military sectors,  thanks in part to Dr Mahendra Lal  Sarkar, recognized as the first Indian  homoeopath. A landmark in this  progress was the establishment of the  “Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical  College & Hospital” in 1881—the  oldest homoeopathic institution in  Asia. This college continues to offer  BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic  Medicine and Surgery) and MD  programs, is affiliated with the West  Bengal University of Health Sciences  (WBUHS), and is recognized  by the National Commission for  Homoeopathy (NCH) under the  Ministry of AYUSH. India is now home to over  170 homoeopathic medical  colleges, making it a global hub  for homoeopathic education.  Among these, National Institute of  Homoeopathy (NIH) in Salt Lake,  Kolkata, established in 1975, is a  premier autonomous institution  offering BHMS, MD, and PhD  programs. D.N. De Homoeopathic  Medical College & Hospital, also  in Kolkata and founded in 1927,  is another pr