Born: 18 July 1963
Current Position: Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India
Tenure: Since July 2017 (with multiple extensions)
🎓 Education and Background
Dr. Rajesh Kotecha is a trained Ayurveda physician. He earned his Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S.) degree in 1985, followed by an M.D. in Ayurveda in 1991. He has been associated with the advancement of Ayurveda both as a practitioner and academic.
He served as Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, from 2013 to 2016.
🏛️ Role in Government
Dr. Kotecha was appointed as Secretary to the Ministry of AYUSH in July 2017 through a lateral entry route—an uncommon pathway for government appointments in India, generally reserved for professionals with domain expertise.
Since his appointment, he has been given multiple extensions by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, including:
- First extension in 2020
- Second in 2022
- Third in June 2024
- Fourth in May 2025, extending his tenure up to June 2026
These repeated extensions highlight the government’s recognition of his contributions and subject-matter expertise in the field of traditional Indian medicine.
🌿 Contributions and Initiatives
As Secretary of AYUSH, Dr. Kotecha has led several policy and programmatic efforts aimed at mainstreaming traditional Indian systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic saw the Ministry of AYUSH promote immunity-boosting guidelines, research on AYUSH formulations, and integration of traditional practices with preventive health strategies.
He has also been instrumental in:
- Setting up wellness centers under the National AYUSH Mission
- Enhancing international collaboration on Ayurveda and Yoga
- Promoting research through AYUSH institutes and councils
- Standardizing Ayurvedic practices and medicines
🏅 Awards and Recognition
- Padma Shri (2015): Awarded by the Government of India for his distinguished service in the field of medicine, particularly Ayurveda.
- Recognized for blending modern research approaches with ancient health sciences and for expanding the global footprint of India’s traditional medical systems.
📝 Summary
Dr. Rajesh Kotecha is a distinguished Ayurveda expert and senior government official who has significantly influenced India’s traditional medicine policy. His continued tenure as Secretary of the Ministry of AYUSH reflects both his leadership and the strategic importance the Indian government places on the AYUSH sector. His career exemplifies the integration of ancient medical wisdom with contemporary governance.