New Delhi : In a major advancement for quality-driven healthcare under the Ministry of Ayush, the Clinical Laboratory at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Bengaluru, has secured ISO 15189:2022 accreditation in both Biochemistry and Haematology. With this achievement, the institute has become the first centre under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences to attain this internationally recognised benchmark.
The accreditation signifies that the laboratory adheres to globally accepted standards for accuracy, reliability, and patient safety in diagnostic services. It marks a significant transition for the facility—from an entry-level NABL-certified laboratory to a fully accredited centre of excellence, reflecting its commitment to quality and precision in healthcare delivery.
Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, emphasised that accreditation to international standards such as ISO 15189:2022 ensures the delivery of reliable and precise diagnostic services, which are essential for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. He noted that this milestone highlights the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Ayush infrastructure and position it as a benchmark of quality and dependability.
Echoing similar sentiments, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, described the recognition as a landmark step towards integrating high-quality diagnostics with traditional systems of medicine. He underlined that such advancements reinforce the Ministry’s focus on evidence-based practices, robust research, and patient-centric care.
Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, stated that the ISO accreditation builds upon the institute’s earlier achievements, including NABH and NABL entry-level certifications, and its ongoing progression towards BIS IS/ISO 9001:2015 standards. He added that, as an Ayurveda Science Incubation Centre under the Ministry of Ayush, CARI Bengaluru continues to elevate research and innovation to the highest standards of scientific rigour.
Highlighting the institutional effort behind the accomplishment, Sulochana Bhat, Head of CARI Bengaluru, described the accreditation as a proud milestone reflecting the institute’s dedication to high-quality, reliable, and patient-focused diagnostic services. She credited the achievement to the dedicated efforts of Vidyashree Anchan and the entire CARI team, noting that it further strengthens the institute’s clinical capabilities and leadership within CCRAS.
At present, the laboratory holds NABL accreditation for 50 test parameters across Biochemistry and Haematology. It offers a wide range of diagnostic services, including blood glucose, HbA1c, liver and kidney function tests, lipid and thyroid profiles, electrolyte analysis, and complete blood counts—facilitating accurate evaluation of metabolic, hormonal, and haematological conditions.
The laboratory’s growing scale of operations is reflected in its performance during 2025–26, when it conducted over 1.52 lakh investigations and served more than 9,300 patients. Equipped with advanced automated systems and digital reporting tools, the facility ensures faster turnaround times, improved diagnostic accuracy, and easy access to reports via SMS, email, and WhatsApp.
CARI Bengaluru’s overall growth trajectory further underscores this achievement. OPD footfall has surged from 18,918 in 2021 to over 51,300 in 2026, indicating increasing public trust. Laboratory investigations have risen dramatically from 2,770 tests in 2021 to more than 1.55 lakh in 2026, while Panchakarma and para-surgical procedures have expanded nearly twentyfold. Research activities remain consistently strong, with approximately 20–25 projects undertaken annually. Since the introduction of inpatient services in July 2024, bed occupancy has reached near-full capacity, reflecting rising demand for integrative healthcare. The institute has also significantly scaled up its role in medicinal plant validation and authentication.
The journey to ISO accreditation has been marked by sustained institutional effort. Starting with a single semi-automated biochemistry analyser, the laboratory was progressively upgraded with fully automated systems under the Centre of Excellence Scheme of the Ministry of Ayush. Following its NABL entry-level certification in November 2022, the laboratory advanced to meet the stringent ISO 15189:2022 standards through rigorous quality control, documentation, and assessment processes.
The laboratory plays a crucial role in supporting Ayurveda and Ayush-based treatments by providing dependable diagnostic data for clinical decision-making, patient monitoring, and research enhancement. Notably, CARI Bengaluru had earlier become the first CCRAS institute to secure both NABH and NABL entry-level certifications during 2021–22 and is currently progressing towards BIS IS/ISO 9001:2015 certification—further reinforcing its commitment to excellence.
Looking ahead, the institute aims to expand its portfolio of accredited tests and further enhance its diagnostic capabilities, with the goal of delivering more comprehensive, accessible, and affordable healthcare services to the public.