Established in 1997, The Indian Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine and Research at
Bangalore, approved by the Government of Karnataka, is affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Health Sciences. It aims to propagate Ayurvedic education, and initiates research on Indian medicine.
The Institute offers a 5 1/2-year bachelor’s degree course called Ayurvedacharya in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS). This course, designed by the Central Council of Indian Medicine, New Delhi, is the first of its kind in India.
Facilities at the Institute include an out-patient department and 100-bed Hospital for the practical training of students, a steam chamber, lab, X-ray unit, an operation theatre, a well-stocked library and computer center. In addition, there is a research centre where ayurvedic medicines are prepared under the supervision of experts. Surgery, ENT, Diabetes, Pediatrics and Toxicology are some departments at the institute. Snakebite treatment and leech treatment are provided here.