Gandhinagar/Mahisagar, June 19 (IANS) The Gujarat government has initiated the process of transferring 188 students from Dhanvantari Ayurveda College and Hospital in Mahisagar district to other self-financed Ayurveda colleges after the institution remained closed, with authorities seeking to ensure that the students do not lose an academic year.

Announcing the development on Friday, State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the state government was committed to safeguarding the academic interests of all students enrolled at the college, located in Koydam village of Mahisagar district, and ensuring that their studies and internships continue without interruption.

“Under the supervision of the Health Department, a proposal has been submitted to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel seeking approval to transfer the students to recognised self-financed Ayurveda colleges across the state,” he said.

Pansheriya said the decision followed multiple complaints and representations received from students. In response, the state government constituted a three-member inspection committee to investigate the matter.

The committee found that the college had remained completely closed since September 2025 and recommended that students be shifted to other institutions in their wider academic interest.

“The committee has clearly recommended transferring the students to other colleges in view of their larger welfare and to ensure continuity of education,” Pansheriya said.

The minister said the state government’s representations to the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Ministry of AYUSH had resulted in approval for supernumerary seats in various self-financed Ayurveda colleges.

These additional seats will accommodate the 188 affected students until they complete their courses.

According to the government, the transfer process will be conducted by Gujarat Ayurved University in Jamnagar, in consultation with the Office of the Director of AYUSH and the Admission Committee for Professional Medical Educational Courses (ACPMEC).

The process will be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations and standards. Students will be allotted seats strictly based on their merit position or All India NEET rank for the respective academic year.

The government has also stipulated that transferred students will continue to pay the same fees that were applicable at Dhanvantari Ayurveda College.

The receiving institutions will be required to complete the students’ education under the same fee structure. An official undertaking of mutual consent will be obtained from each student and the receiving institution before transfers are finalised.

“Issues arising from the prolonged closure of the college, including shortages in attendance and internship arrangements for students who have passed the fourth year, would be decided by Gujarat Ayurved University to ensure that students’ academic careers are not adversely affected,” he said.

The minister also announced that administrative proceedings would be initiated to cancel the affiliation of Dhanvantari Ayurveda College for alleged violations of regulations.

The process will be undertaken by Gujarat Ayurved University within the legal framework of the Gujarat Ayurved University Act, 2021, and the Regulations, 2024.

He further said that authorities would ensure that students who have been debarred or whose admissions are liable to be cancelled are not included in the transfer process under any circumstances.

–IANS

mys/uk