NAM Kerala Recruitment 2026 - Walkin for Ayurveda Pharmacist and Ayurveda Therapist Posts

NAM Kerala (National Ayurveda Mission, Kerala) is conducting walk-in recruitment for Ayurveda Pharmacist and Ayurveda Therapist positions in 2026. This recruitment is organized under the National Ayurveda Mission's Kerala State chapter, which works to promote and propagate Ayurveda systems of medicine across the state. The selected candidates will work in Ayurveda hospitals, dispensaries, and wellness centers managed under NAM Kerala. This is a walk-in interview process, meaning candidates meeting eligibility criteria can directly appear for the interview on specified dates without a written examination. The positions offer opportunities to serve in traditional Indian medicine delivery systems and contribute to public healthcare through Ayurveda practices.

Important Dates (Indicative)

Note: Exact dates will be published in the official notification on NAM Kerala website.

Vacancy Details (Typical / Indicative)

Note: Exact vacancy distribution across Ayurveda Pharmacist and Ayurveda Therapist posts will be specified in official notification.

Educational Qualification

For Ayurveda Pharmacist:

• Diploma/Degree in Ayurveda Pharmacy from a recognized institution
• OR B.Pharm (Ayurveda) from AICTE/PCI approved college
• Registration with State Pharmacy Council is mandatory
• Knowledge of Ayurvedic formulations and classical texts preferred

For Ayurveda Therapist:

• Certificate course in Panchakarma Therapy (minimum 1 year duration)
• OR Diploma in Ayurveda Therapy/Panchakarma from recognized institution
• Practical experience in Panchakarma procedures preferred
• Knowledge of Sanskrit terms and Ayurvedic treatment protocols

Age Limit

Age Relaxation:

Note: Age calculated as on the date of walk-in interview.

Nationality

• Candidate must be a Citizen of India
• Certificate of Indian citizenship required at document verification stage

Application Process (Walk-in Interview)

1. Download Official Notification: Visit the official NAM Kerala website or Kerala Health Department portal to download the detailed notification with walk-in dates and venue details.

1. Prepare Application Form: Fill the prescribed application form (available in notification) with accurate personal, educational, and professional details. Affix recent passport-size photograph.

1. Arrange Required Documents: Prepare self-attested copies of all educational certificates, experience certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), age proof, registration certificate, and identity proof.

1. Attend Walk-in Interview: Report to the specified venue on the designated date and time mentioned in the notification. Carry original documents along with one set of self-attested photocopies.

1. Document Verification: Submit application form and undergo document verification by the recruitment committee before appearing for interview.

1. Appear for Interview: Face the interview panel consisting of subject experts and administrative officials. Demonstrate knowledge of Ayurveda practices, formulations, and relevant skills.

1. Await Results: Results will be displayed on the notice board and/or official website within 15-30 days of interview completion.

Application Fees

Payment Mode: Demand Draft in favour of "NAM Kerala" payable at designated bank, or as specified in notification. Some walk-in recruitments may have no application fee.

1. Document Verification (Stage 1): All candidates attending walk-in interview must undergo thorough document verification. Original certificates of educational qualification, experience, registration, age proof, caste certificate, and identity documents are checked for authenticity and eligibility compliance.

1. Personal Interview (Stage 2): Shortlisted candidates after document verification appear before an expert interview panel. For Ayurveda Pharmacist, questions cover pharmaceutical knowledge, Ayurvedic formulations, classical texts, and dispensing practices. For Ayurveda Therapist, assessment focuses on Panchakarma procedures, treatment protocols, and practical therapy skills.

1. Skill/Practical Test (Stage 3 - if applicable): Candidates may be asked to demonstrate practical skills such as medicine preparation techniques (for Pharmacist) or Panchakarma therapy procedures (for Therapist) to assess hands-on competency.

1. Merit List Preparation: Final selection is based on performance in interview/skill test combined with educational qualifications and experience. A merit list is prepared category-wise following reservation norms.

1. Final Document Verification & Medical Examination: Selected candidates undergo final verification of all documents and a basic medical fitness examination to ensure they are fit for the duties assigned.

1. Issuance of Appointment Orders: Candidates who successfully complete all stages receive appointment letters specifying joining date, posting location, salary, and terms of employment.

Selection Pattern (No Written Exam)

This recruitment follows a Walk-in Interview process without a written examination. The selection is based on:

Interview/Skill Assessment Pattern

Evaluation Criteria

Note: No negative marking as there is no written examination. Selection purely merit-based on interview performance.

Interview Topics & Knowledge Areas

For Ayurveda Pharmacist Position

Pharmaceutical Knowledge:

• Ayurvedic pharmacology and drug manufacturing processes
• Classical Ayurvedic formulations (Kashayam, Arishtam, Asavam, Choornam, Gulika, Lehyam)
• Bhaishajya Kalpana (pharmaceutical preparations) from classical texts
• Quality control and standardization of Ayurvedic medicines
• Storage, dispensing, and shelf-life of Ayurvedic preparations

Classical Texts & Dravyaguna:

• Knowledge of Ayurvedic classical texts: Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya
• Dravyaguna Vigyan (pharmacology of medicinal plants)
• Identification of medicinal plants and their properties
• Rasa Panchaka (five properties of drugs)

Pharmacy Practice:

• Hospital pharmacy management and inventory control
• Drug distribution systems in Ayurveda hospitals
• Patient counseling regarding Ayurvedic medicines
• Documentation and record-keeping in Ayurveda pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical calculations and measurements

Regulatory & Legal Aspects:

• Drugs and Cosmetics Act as applicable to Ayurveda
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Ayurvedic medicines
• Pharmacy Council regulations
• Ethical practices in pharmaceutical services

For Ayurveda Therapist Position

Panchakarma Procedures:

• Purvakarma (pre-treatment procedures): Snehana, Swedana
• Pradhana Karma (main treatments): Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, Raktamokshana
• Paschat Karma (post-treatment care) and dietary regimens
• Indications, contraindications, and complications of Panchakarma

Therapeutic Techniques:

• Abhyanga (oil massage) techniques and variations
• Shirodhara, Pizhichil, Navarakizhi procedures
• Udvartana, Lepa, and other external applications
• Equipment handling and sterilization procedures
• Patient positioning and safety measures during therapy

Ayurvedic Fundamentals:

• Tridosha theory (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
• Panchamahabhuta (five elements) concept
• Prakriti (body constitution) assessment
• Agni (digestive fire) and Ama (toxins) concepts
• Basic understanding of disease pathology in Ayurveda

Clinical Skills:

• Patient assessment and therapy selection
• Hygiene and infection control in therapy rooms
• Emergency management during therapies
• Communication with patients regarding treatment procedures
• Documentation of therapy sessions and patient progress

Salary Structure (Typical / Indicative)

Additional Benefits:

• Medical benefits for self and dependents
• Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
• Provident Fund (PF) and Gratuity
• Pension benefits (if permanent position)
• Annual increment as per state government norms

Note: Salary may vary based on contractual/permanent nature of appointment and Kerala State Government pay scales applicable to NAM establishments.

Career progression for Ayurveda Pharmacist includes promotion to Senior Pharmacist, Chief Pharmacist, and eventually Pharmacy Superintendent positions based on experience and performance. Ayurveda Therapists can advance to Senior Therapist, Therapy Supervisor, and Panchakarma Unit In-charge roles. Opportunities also exist for specialization in specific Panchakarma procedures, training junior staff, and moving into administrative positions within Ayurveda hospitals and wellness centers. Additional qualifications like higher degrees in Ayurveda can further enhance career prospects and enable movement into teaching or research positions.

Since this is a walk-in interview recruitment, there is no admit card issuance process. Candidates are required to bring the completed application form (downloaded from official notification), along with original documents and self-attested photocopies, directly to the walk-in venue on the specified date. The official notification will clearly mention the exact date, time, reporting schedule, and venue address where candidates should appear for document verification and interview.

Results of the walk-in interview will typically be declared within 15-30 days of the interview completion. The merit list of selected candidates will be displayed on the official NAM Kerala website and may also be posted on the notice board at the interview venue. Selected candidates will be intimated individually through registered post or email regarding their selection, joining formalities, and document submission requirements. Candidates should regularly check the official website for result updates and further instructions.

Since selection is based on walk-in interview performance rather than written examination, there are no numerical cutoff marks in the traditional sense. However, candidates typically need to score minimum 40-50% marks in the interview/skill assessment to be considered for selection in the general category, with relaxation of 5-10% for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC). The actual selection cutoff depends on the number of vacancies, number of candidates interviewed, and overall performance levels. Category-wise merit lists are prepared separately following reservation norms, and the last selected candidate's score in each category effectively becomes that category's cutoff.

Walk-in Interview Venues (Typical)

North Kerala: Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kasaragod

Central Kerala: Thrissur, Palakkad, Ernakulam (Kochi)

South Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki

Note: Walk-in interviews are typically conducted at district-level Ayurveda hospitals, medical colleges, or administrative offices of NAM Kerala. The exact venue(s) will be specified in the official notification. Candidates can choose the nearest venue if multiple locations are offered, or must report to the single designated venue as per notification.