Uttarakhand has received positive assurances from the Centre on 3 proposals aimed at expanding higher education, Ayurveda healthcare and road connectivity in the state, although none of the projects has received final approval yet.

The proposals include establishing an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Uttarakhand, setting up an All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) at Khurpia Farm in Kichha, Udham Singh Nagar district, and declaring the Uttarkashi–Kamad–Ayarakhal–Budhakedar–Chamyala–Ghansali–Tilwara motor route a national highway.

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office said the assurances followed requests made by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to the Union government.

IISER proposal to be considered during future expansion

Dhami requested an IISER for Uttarakhand from the Centre in October, 2026. In a letter to the chief minister, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said the proposal would be considered when central institutions are expanded in the future.

Joshi also noted that Uttarakhand currently has the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, National Institute of Technology Srinagar, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University Srinagar and Indian Institute of Management Kashipur.

According to the minister’s letter, the Centre is working with the state government to strengthen and expand these institutions. The stated aim is to develop them in line with the National Education Policy-2020.

AIIA proposal enters prescribed process

The state requested an All India Institute of Ayurveda at Khurpia Farm in Kichha in August, 2026. Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, said the proposal had been received from the Uttarakhand government.

Jadhav’s letter referred to the announcement of 3 All India Institutes of Ayurveda in the Union Finance Minister’s Budget speech-2026. Following that announcement, the Cabinet Secretariat invited proposals from all eligible states and Union territories through a challenge method.

The Uttarakhand proposal will be examined under the prescribed process and applicable criteria. The response therefore indicates consideration of the proposal, rather than a confirmed location or construction decision.

Highway decision linked to future policy

Dhami also sought national highway status for the Uttarkashi–Kamad–Ayarakhal–Budhakedar–Chamyala–Ghansali–Tilwara route in August, 2026.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said national highway length in Uttarakhand had increased from 2,282 kilometres to 3,670 kilometres over the past 12 years.

Gadkari assured the chief minister that the route proposal would be considered after the policy governing new national highway declarations is finalised. This means the proposed designation remains dependent on that policy process.

The 3 proposals cover different parts of Uttarakhand. The IISER request concerns advanced science education and research, the AIIA proposal relates to Ayurveda and healthcare, and the highway request concerns connectivity across the Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal and Rudraprayag areas named in the route.

Dhami thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government for the assurances. He said implementation of the proposals would strengthen higher education, research, Ayurveda treatment and road infrastructure, while supporting the state’s development.

Conclusion

The Centre has agreed to consider Uttarakhand’s 3 proposals through future institutional expansion, the prescribed AIIA selection process and a forthcoming national highway policy. Final decisions on all 3 projects are still pending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the 3 proposals from Uttarakhand?

The proposals seek an IISER in Uttarakhand, an AIIA at Khurpia Farm in Kichha, and national highway status for the Uttarkashi–Tilwara route.

Q. Has the IISER been approved?

No. The Centre has said the proposal will be considered during the future expansion of central institutions.

Q. Where is the proposed Ayurveda institute planned?

The proposed AIIA location is Khurpia Farm in Kichha, Udham Singh Nagar district.

Q. Has the route been declared a national highway?

No. The proposal will be considered after the policy for declaring new national highways is finalised.

Q. How long are Uttarakhand’s national highways now?

The Union road transport minister said their total length had increased from 2,282 kilometres to 3,670 kilometres over the past 12 years.