IGNOU vice-chancellor prof. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai said: "The course would help medicine students to learn a new kind of therapy and use it for treating chronic diseases."

The programme can be completed in a minimum period of 1 year and a maximum period of 3 years and is available to medical graduates and graduates in alternative medicines like ayurveda, unani, siddha and homeopathy.

This is the first time that a medical programme will be offered online with contact sessions for practical training.

Internal assessment for the programme will be done through online tests and term-end examinations. Acupuncture is a traditional method of therapy which is very well recognised world over and well accepted by people, as it does not have any side-effects.

This method has been found to be useful in all types of diseases especially chronic diseases. Moreover, the cost of the treatment is less as compared to the other branches of medicine.

The theoretical component of the course will be available online and for practical training, students can opt for any of the eight centres in India specified by the university.

These centres are located at New Delhi, Kolkata, Indore, Chennai, Hubli, Kota, Rourkela and Thiruvanathapuram.