Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV) was established on 11th Feb., 1988 with one of the objectives of promoting knowledge of Ayurveda and started functioning since 1991. The Vidyapeeth initiated the course of Member of RAV with an effort to revive the traditional method of Gurukula system of informal education of India i.e., Guru Shishya Parampara to Ayurvedic graduates after formal education. As people are aware, the present classical texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya etc. are believed to be the outcome of such informal education. This kind of study is lacking at present in the modern educational institutions where the courses are bound by fixed syllabus, duration of time and many subjects to learn.

In this course of RAV the student selects a particular text as per his specialization in post graduation and undertakes critical study of the text the tutelage of a scholar well versed in the text. The basic idea of this course is to provide in-depth knowledge and preparing young scholars proficient in texts of Ayurveda, who can become good teachers so that the tradition of education of Ayurvedic system of medicine, in its true sense, continues.

The Vidyapeeth in an effort to preserve special clinical practices and formulations possessed by Vaidyas, started the one-year course of Certificate of RAV in 1998. The Vaidyas are persuaded to teach their methods/skills of treatment to graduates of Ayurveda so that the secretly guarded techniques of medical treatment are transferred to younger generation.