Effect of Samskara initiative of National Commission for Indian System of Medicine on postgraduate scholars: An experience at All India Institute of Ayurveda, Delhi

The Samskara -PG Orientation Program, initiated by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, aims to equip newly admitted Postgraduate (PG) scholars with the essential skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for academic and professional success. This program was held at the All India Institute of Ayurveda, Delhi, for an 18-day program, from November 12, 2024, to December 2, 2024, wherein 85 admitted PG scholars from 12 PG specialties of the 2024–2027 batch participated. The 18-day program included 95 h in 83 sessions delivered by over 50 experts on various aspects such as academic policies, research methodologies, career opportunities, and professional development. To assess the program’s effectiveness, a pretest and posttest comprising 50 multiple-choice questions were administered. Results showed improvement in scholars’ knowledge, with the mean score increasing from 28 in the pretest to 36 in the posttest. Majority of the students exhibited improvements ranging from 1% to 20%, reflecting the program’s effect. Limitations included the small sample size from a single institution and the short duration of the evaluation, which may not capture long-term knowledge retention. Recommendations for future improvements include the development of standardized evaluation tools across institutions, longitudinal follow-up studies, and enhanced mentorship programs. The current observations infer that the Samskara initiative influenced PG scholars in their academic journey, contributing to the holistic development of future professionals.