Half of Maharashtra homeopathy colleges have political links

In Maharashtra, 47% of private homeopathy colleges, totaling 34 institutions, have ties to political entities. These colleges collectively account for nearly 3,000 seats, representing half of the state's homeopathy seats. As of August 3, the National Commission for Homeopathy reported that 74 homeopathy colleges, including two government ones, were operational with a combined intake capacity of 6,248 seats for undergraduate homeopathy programs.

Three new colleges were established this year, offering 100 seats each, with two private and one government college located in Kolhapur.

While the number of homeopathy colleges in Maharashtra has risen from 59 institutions with 4,645 undergraduate seats in 2021 to 74 colleges, the total number of seats only increased by less than 140 due to various reasons such as colleges failing to secure permission for the 2026 intake, facing infrastructural issues, or dealing with other violations.

For many students, pursuing an Ayush/homeopathy education is a secondary option or a necessity as they are unable to secure affordable MBBS seats in government colleges due to low NEET UG scores and prohibitive fees. With approximately 22 lakh students taking the NEET UG exam and only over 1.2 lakh MBBS seats available, many opt for homeopathy in pursuit of becoming a 'doctor,' even if that means practicing limited allopathic medicine, sometimes unofficially.

Additionally, these graduates may secure government positions in public health systems through the one-year Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP). Some also find employment in modern medicine hospitals, often owned by members of the Indian Medical Association, as they provide cheaper labor compared to MBBS graduates.