President Droupadi Murmu is set to inaugurate the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Gorakhpur on July 1, according to an official statement released by the Uttar Pradesh government. This newly established university integrates all Ayurveda, Unani, and Homoeopathy colleges across the state under a unified regulatory framework.
The university’s foundation was laid on August 28, 2021, by former President Ram Nath Kovind, following an invitation from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Located in Pipri, Bhathat—about 25 km from Gorakhpur city—the campus spans 52 acres and is affiliated with 98 AYUSH colleges statewide, including 76 Ayurveda, 10 Unani, and 12 Homoeopathy institutions.
Prior to the establishment of this university, these colleges were managed separately. The creation of Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University marks the first time these diverse disciplines have been brought together under one administrative and academic umbrella. Since the 2021–22 academic session, the university has overseen examinations and academic operations for programs such as BAMS, MD, and MS in Ayurveda; BUMS, MD, and MS in Unani; and BHMS and MD in Homoeopathy.
The initiative to create the state's first AYUSH university originated with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the central government grouped Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy under the AYUSH category. The university plans to expand its academic offerings to include Yoga, Naturopathy, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa in the near future, with plans underway to launch both educational and therapeutic activities in these fields.
On the same day, President Murmu will also attend the first convocation ceremony of AIIMS Gorakhpur. Established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, AIIMS Gorakhpur has grown rapidly into a vital medical facility for residents of eastern Uttar Pradesh, as well as neighboring regions of Bihar and Nepal.
The movement to establish AIIMS in Gorakhpur dates back to 2004, led by Yogi Adityanath during his tenure as Member of Parliament. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, the long-standing demand gained traction, and the foundation was laid on July 22, 2016. Construction accelerated after Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister in 2017. The outpatient department began operations in February 2019, and the hospital was formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister on December 7, 2021.
Today, AIIMS Gorakhpur stands at the center of a significantly improved healthcare infrastructure in the region, complementing seven medical colleges across the Gorakhpur and Basti divisions. This includes five government institutions, one public-private partnership in Maharajganj, and one private college under Mahayogi Gorakhnath University—transforming the region into a thriving hub of medical education and care.