Abstract
The Government of India has decided to revive alternate systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy—AYUSH) on a mission mode. However, this endeavour is barely supported by any nationally representative assessment of the demand for these alternate systems of medicine. This assumes additional significance in light of persistently low levels of public spending on the conventional health system. This article does an exploratory analysis of the 68th round (2011–2012) of the National Sample Survey data to generate evidence on the demand for AYUSH services and patterns in utilization, if any. It finds that although AYUSH had a fairly consistent presence in policy pronouncements, its utilization is low, with substantial variations across states in terms of usage, availability and perceived efficacy of AYUSH. Inadequate awareness about the system and inefficacy of treatment emerge as the two biggest reasons for not using these services. There exist rural–urban and class differences in utilization, medium of delivery and determinants of AYUSH use in India.