For Prelims: DNA, Genetic profile, Chromatography, Spectroscopy
For Mains: Science and Technology: Biotechnology and analytical techniques; Society: Health and traditional medicine
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- The Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence is located in Jaipur.
- The National Institute of Ayurveda hosts the centre.
- The centre cost approximately ₹9.32 crore.
- The centre targets genetic profiles of 80 medicinal plants within three years.
- Scientific testing has begun on 14 medicinal samples.
The news
The world's first Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence, built at a cost of approximately ₹9.32 crore, has become fully operational at the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) in Jaipur. The centre will use DNA and advanced scientific techniques to authenticate medicinal plants and identify adulteration in Ayurvedic medicines, officials said.
The centre brings together eight analytical techniques in a single laboratory: HPLC, HPTLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, UV-Visible Spectroscopy and XRD. Dr. Sudeepth Rath, head of pharmacology at NIA, said samples can be analysed for plant identification and chemical composition. The centre plans to create digital databases and genetic profiles of 80 medicinal plants over three years. Scientific testing has begun on 14 medicinal samples, recording their external appearance, microscopic structure, chemical properties, spectra and molecular characteristics.
Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence: why in the news?
The Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence at the National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur has become fully operational, marking the first such facility globally to use DNA and eight analytical techniques in one lab to authenticate medicinal plants and detect adulteration in Ayurvedic medicines.
How will the centre authenticate plants?
The centre will document the external appearance, microscopic structure, chemical properties, spectra and molecular characteristics of authentic medicinal plant samples. These records will serve as reference points for comparing future samples submitted for testing. The eight analytical techniques provide different kinds of evidence about sample composition and characteristics, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
What is the target and current status?
The centre aims to create digital databases and genetic profiles of 80 medicinal plants over three years. Scientific testing has begun on 14 medicinal samples. The planned database remains a target rather than a completed outcome, and consistent documentation of multiple plant characteristics will be important for reliable comparisons.
Rajasthan connection
Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence: facts and terms for exams
- DNA:
- Deoxyribonucleic acid is the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms.
- Genetic profile:
- A genetic profile is a record of selected genetic characteristics used to identify or compare biological material.
- Chromatography:
- Chromatography is a group of methods used to separate components of a mixture.
- Spectroscopy:
- Spectroscopy studies how matter interacts with electromagnetic radiation.
Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence: why it matters for exams
Exams: RPSC RAS, RSSB
Syllabus: Science and Technology: Biotechnology and analytical techniques; Society: Health and traditional medicine
Common mistake: Examiners may swap the planned 80 plant profiles with the 14 samples already under testing; the two figures refer to different stages.
Mains question on Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence
Examine the role of the Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence in addressing adulteration in Ayurvedic medicines. How can genetic and chemical profiling of medicinal plants strengthen quality control in traditional medicine systems?
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Jaipur centre examines medicinal plants used in Ayurvedic medicines to check their identity and purity. DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information, while chemical tests examine the substances present in a sample. Planned digital records will help compare future samples with authentic plants.
- Science and Technology: Biotechnology and analytical techniques
- Society: Health and traditional medicine
Related concepts: DNA, Genetic profile, Chromatography, Spectroscopy
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which institution hosts the Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence in Jaipur?
Explanation: The National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur hosts the centre. The centre, database and laboratory are facilities or resources associated with the work, not the host institution.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about the Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence in Jaipur:
- 1.The centre uses genetic and chemical analysis to help authenticate medicinal plants.
- 2.Genetic profiles of all 80 targeted plants have already been completed.
- 3.Scientific testing has begun on 14 medicinal samples.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: the centre combines genetic and chemical examination, and 14 samples are under testing. Statement 2 is incorrect because profiling 80 plants is a three-year target.
- Q3Medium
How many medicinal plants are targeted for genetic profiling over three years at Jaipur's Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence?
Explanation: The centre targets genetic profiles and digital records for 80 plants over three years. The figure of 14 refers to samples already under testing, while 90 and 100 are not the target.
- Q4Medium
What is the principal use of authentic medicinal plant records planned by Jaipur's Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence?
Explanation: Digital and genetic records can provide a scientific basis for comparing future samples with authentic plants. The centre combines several forms of analysis rather than relying only on visual inspection, recording prices or treating all medicines as identical.
Frequently asked questions
1. Where is the Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence located?
It is located at the National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
2. How many medicinal plants will the Jaipur centre profile?
The centre plans to create digital records and genetic profiles of 80 medicinal plants over three years.
3. How does the Jaipur centre help identify adulteration?
It uses genetic and chemical analysis to authenticate medicinal plants and support comparison with reference samples.
4. What was the cost of the Dravyaguna Centre of Excellence?
The centre was built at an approximate cost of ₹9.32 crore.
All sources
- Original14 November 2026 · Read story
- Merged14 November 2026 · Read story
