Page 1 of 205
AYURVEDA PRACTITIONER (NAMA) CERTIFICATION EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
ACTUAL EXAM COVERAGE – AYURVEDA PRACTITIONER (NAMA)
The NAMA Ayurveda Practitioner Certification Exam is built on the Educational Outline for
Competency developed by the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission. The exam covers five major
domains, which are weighted as follows based on the official content blueprint:
1. FOUNDATIONS OF AYURVEDA – 15–20%
• History & Philosophy – The four Vedas (Atharva Veda as the source of Ayurveda), the six
darśanas (philosophical systems) – Samkhya, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, etc. – and the 24 tattvas of
Samkhya.
• Bṛhat Trayī (the Great Triad) – Caraka Saṃhitā, Suśruta Saṃhitā, Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayaṃ; Laghu
Trayī – Mādhava Nidāna, Bhāvaprakāśa, Śāraṅgadhara Saṃhitā.
• Definition & Scope – Ayurveda as “Science of Life” (Āyuḥ + Veda), the eight branches (Aṣṭāṅga)
of Ayurveda, and the concept of Svasthasya svāsthya rakṣaṇaṃ (preserving the health of the
healthy) and āturasya vikāra praśamana (curing the disease of the diseased).
2. CONCEPTS OF AYURVEDA – 20–25%
• Pāñca Mahābhūta – The five great elements (ether, air, fire, water, earth) and their relationship
to the three doṣas.
• Three Doṣas (Tri-doṣa) – Vāta (ākāśa + vāyu), Pitta (agni + āpas), Kapha (āpas + pṛthivī) – their
locations, qualities, functions, and pathways (kōṣṭha – śākhā movement).
• Sapta Dhātu (seven bodily tissues) – Rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood), Māṃsa (muscle), Medas
(fat), Asthi (bone), Majjā (bone marrow / nervous tissue), Śukra (reproductive tissue) –
plus Upadhātu (secondary tissues) and Malas (waste products).
• Agni – The 13 types (Jāṭharāgni, 5 Bhūtāgnis, 7 Dhātvagnis); normal and abnormal variations;
methods to enhance agni (Dīpana, Pācana).
• Āma – Toxin formed by impaired agni; characteristics, dosha-specific symptoms, and its role in
disease.
• Ojas – Vital essence in 8 drops (Aṣṭabindu), three stages of depletion (Viśramsa, Vyāpad, Kṣaya).
• Srotas – Channels of the body (mūla, mārga, mukha) and their involvement in disease.
3. ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS – 20–25%
• Three-fold Method (Trividha Parīkṣā) – Darśana (observation), Sparśana (palpation, includes
nāḍī), Praśna (questioning).
• Eight-fold Method (Aṣṭavidha Parīkṣā) – Nāḍī (pulse), Mūtra (urine), Mala (stool), Jihvā
(tongue), Śabda (speech), Sparśa (skin), Dṛk (eyes), Ākṛti (general appearance).
• Ten-fold Method (Daśavidha Parīkṣā) – Dūṣya, Deśa, Bala, Kāla, Anala, Prakṛti, Vaya, Sattva,
Satmya, Āhāra.
• Nidāna Pañcaka (Five diagnostic tools) – Hetu (cause), Pūrvarūpa (prodromal symptoms), Rūpa
(signs/symptoms), Upāśaya (therapeutic trial), Samprapti (pathogenesis).
• Prakṛti & Vikṛti – Determining constitutional type (Vāta, Pitta, Kapha) and current imbalance via
history and physical exam.
• Twenty Opposing Qualities (Gurvādi Guṇas) – 10 pairs (heavy/light, slow/sharp, cold/hot, etc.)
– their role in doṣa aggravation and pacification.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS, TREATMENT & OTHER INTERVENTIONS – 20–25%
• Diet & Lifestyle – Personalizing Āhāra and Vihāra based on prakṛti, vikṛti, season (Ṛtu), and
digestive strength (Agni).
, Page 2 of 205
• Daily Routines (Dinacaryā) and Seasonal Routines (Ṛtucaryā) – Balancing doṣas through
consistent practices.
• Herbal Medicine (Dravyaguṇa) – Rasa (taste), Guṇa (quality), Vīrya (potency), Vipāka
(post-digestive effect), Prabhāva (specific action); classifications and key formulations.
• Pañcakarma – Vamana (emesis), Virecana (purgation), Basti (medicated enema), Nasya (nasal
medication), Raktamokṣaṇa (bloodletting) – indications, contraindications, and sequencing.
• Agreya Auṣadha – Specific “first-line” herbal formulations for diseases (e.g., Prameha,
Apasmāra).
• Scope of Practice & Ethics – HIPAA compliance, maintaining client confidentiality, staying within
NAMA scope, and professional boundaries.
5. CATEGORIES OF CIKITSA – 15–20%
• Classical Disease Classifications – Jvara (fever), Prameha (urinary disorders including diabetes),
Sthūlya (obesity), Apasmāra (epilepsy), Yoni Vyāpat (gynecological disorders), Kāmala & Pāṇḍu
(jaundice & anemia), Śvāsa (respiratory disorders), etc.
• Samprapti (Pathogenesis) – Step-wise sequence of events (Sañcaya, Prakopa, Prasara,
Sthānasaṃśraya, Vyakti, Bheda) and doṣa-dhātu-mala involvement.
• Special Category Topics – Dustha Stanya (vitiated breast milk), Āmavāta vs. Sandhigata Vāta,
Sītapitta & Koṭha (urticaria types), Dūṣa Vīṣa.
• Pulse as a Diagnostic Tool – Recognizing patterns of vikṛti, gati (movement), and prognostic
signs.
• Management Principles – Upāśaya/Anupāśaya, Śodhana (cleansing) vs. Śamana (palliation),
Daśavidha Parīkṣa to guide treatment.
SUMMURIZED POINT-FORM EXAM COVERAGE
• Foundations: Four Vedas → Atharva Veda; Bṛhat Trayī (Caraka, Suśruta, Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya);
Saṃkhya philosophy (24 tattvas).
• Concepts: Pañca Mahābhūta → Tridoṣa; Sapta Dhātu (Rasa to Śukra); 13 types of Agni; Āma –
causes, signs, dosha-specific symptoms; Ojas (Aṣṭabindu); Srotas (channels, mūla, mārga,
mukha).
• Assessment: Trividha (Darśana, Sparśana, Praśna); Aṣṭavidha (Nāḍī, Mūtra, Mala, Jihvā, Śabda,
Sparśa, Dṛk, Ākṛti); Daśavidha (10 factors including Prakṛti, Sattva, Bala); Nidāna Pañcaka (Hetu,
Pūrvarūpa, Rūpa, Upāśaya, Samprapti).
• Treatment: Āhāra & Vihāra, Dravyaguṇa (Rasa-Guṇa-Vīrya-Vipāka-Prabhāva), Pañcakarma (5
procedures), Agreya Auṣadha, HIPAA & ethics.
• Categories: Jvara, Prameha, Sthūlya, Apasmāra, Yoni Vyāpat, Kāmala, Śvāsa, Āmavāta, Sītapitta,
Dustha Stanya, etc.
AYURVEDA PRACTITIONER (NAMA) CERTIFICATION EXAM
250 SCENARIO-BASED MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS (RANDOM ORDER)
Question 1
Which of the following texts is considered part of the Bṛhat Trayī (Great Triad) of Ayurveda?
A) Mādhava Nidāna
, Page 3 of 205
B) Bhāva Prakāśa
C) Caraka Saṃhitā
D) Śāraṅgadhara Saṃhitā
Answer: C
Rationale: The Bṛhat Trayī consists of Caraka Saṃhitā, Suśruta Saṃhitā, and Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayaṃ. Mādhava
Nidāna, Bhāva Prakāśa, and Śāraṅgadhara Saṃhitā are part of the Laghu Trayī (the Small Triad).
Question 2
In Sāṃkhya philosophy, which term refers to “pure consciousness” that is distinct from matter (Prakṛti)?
A) Manas
B) Buddhi
C) Puruṣa
D) Ahaṃkāra
Answer: C
Rationale: In Sāṃkhya, Puruṣa (consciousness) is the eternal, unchanging witness, while Prakṛti
, Page 4 of 205
(primordial matter) is the active creative principle. Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), and Ahaṃkāra (ego)
are evolutions of Prakṛti.
Question 3
From which of the four Vedas does Āyurveda primarily originate?
A) Ṛg Veda
B) Yajur Veda
C) Sāma Veda
D) Atharva Veda
Answer: D
Rationale: Āyurveda is widely regarded as an upaveda (subsidiary text) of the Atharva Veda, although
some passages are also found in the Ṛg Veda. Atharva Veda contains extensive hymns on healing,
longevity, and medical practices.
AYURVEDA PRACTITIONER (NAMA) CERTIFICATION EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
ACTUAL EXAM COVERAGE – AYURVEDA PRACTITIONER (NAMA)
The NAMA Ayurveda Practitioner Certification Exam is built on the Educational Outline for
Competency developed by the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission. The exam covers five major
domains, which are weighted as follows based on the official content blueprint:
1. FOUNDATIONS OF AYURVEDA – 15–20%
• History & Philosophy – The four Vedas (Atharva Veda as the source of Ayurveda), the six
darśanas (philosophical systems) – Samkhya, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, etc. – and the 24 tattvas of
Samkhya.
• Bṛhat Trayī (the Great Triad) – Caraka Saṃhitā, Suśruta Saṃhitā, Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayaṃ; Laghu
Trayī – Mādhava Nidāna, Bhāvaprakāśa, Śāraṅgadhara Saṃhitā.
• Definition & Scope – Ayurveda as “Science of Life” (Āyuḥ + Veda), the eight branches (Aṣṭāṅga)
of Ayurveda, and the concept of Svasthasya svāsthya rakṣaṇaṃ (preserving the health of the
healthy) and āturasya vikāra praśamana (curing the disease of the diseased).
2. CONCEPTS OF AYURVEDA – 20–25%
• Pāñca Mahābhūta – The five great elements (ether, air, fire, water, earth) and their relationship
to the three doṣas.
• Three Doṣas (Tri-doṣa) – Vāta (ākāśa + vāyu), Pitta (agni + āpas), Kapha (āpas + pṛthivī) – their
locations, qualities, functions, and pathways (kōṣṭha – śākhā movement).
• Sapta Dhātu (seven bodily tissues) – Rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood), Māṃsa (muscle), Medas
(fat), Asthi (bone), Majjā (bone marrow / nervous tissue), Śukra (reproductive tissue) –
plus Upadhātu (secondary tissues) and Malas (waste products).
• Agni – The 13 types (Jāṭharāgni, 5 Bhūtāgnis, 7 Dhātvagnis); normal and abnormal variations;
methods to enhance agni (Dīpana, Pācana).
• Āma – Toxin formed by impaired agni; characteristics, dosha-specific symptoms, and its role in
disease.
• Ojas – Vital essence in 8 drops (Aṣṭabindu), three stages of depletion (Viśramsa, Vyāpad, Kṣaya).
• Srotas – Channels of the body (mūla, mārga, mukha) and their involvement in disease.
3. ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS – 20–25%
• Three-fold Method (Trividha Parīkṣā) – Darśana (observation), Sparśana (palpation, includes
nāḍī), Praśna (questioning).
• Eight-fold Method (Aṣṭavidha Parīkṣā) – Nāḍī (pulse), Mūtra (urine), Mala (stool), Jihvā
(tongue), Śabda (speech), Sparśa (skin), Dṛk (eyes), Ākṛti (general appearance).
• Ten-fold Method (Daśavidha Parīkṣā) – Dūṣya, Deśa, Bala, Kāla, Anala, Prakṛti, Vaya, Sattva,
Satmya, Āhāra.
• Nidāna Pañcaka (Five diagnostic tools) – Hetu (cause), Pūrvarūpa (prodromal symptoms), Rūpa
(signs/symptoms), Upāśaya (therapeutic trial), Samprapti (pathogenesis).
• Prakṛti & Vikṛti – Determining constitutional type (Vāta, Pitta, Kapha) and current imbalance via
history and physical exam.
• Twenty Opposing Qualities (Gurvādi Guṇas) – 10 pairs (heavy/light, slow/sharp, cold/hot, etc.)
– their role in doṣa aggravation and pacification.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS, TREATMENT & OTHER INTERVENTIONS – 20–25%
• Diet & Lifestyle – Personalizing Āhāra and Vihāra based on prakṛti, vikṛti, season (Ṛtu), and
digestive strength (Agni).
, Page 2 of 205
• Daily Routines (Dinacaryā) and Seasonal Routines (Ṛtucaryā) – Balancing doṣas through
consistent practices.
• Herbal Medicine (Dravyaguṇa) – Rasa (taste), Guṇa (quality), Vīrya (potency), Vipāka
(post-digestive effect), Prabhāva (specific action); classifications and key formulations.
• Pañcakarma – Vamana (emesis), Virecana (purgation), Basti (medicated enema), Nasya (nasal
medication), Raktamokṣaṇa (bloodletting) – indications, contraindications, and sequencing.
• Agreya Auṣadha – Specific “first-line” herbal formulations for diseases (e.g., Prameha,
Apasmāra).
• Scope of Practice & Ethics – HIPAA compliance, maintaining client confidentiality, staying within
NAMA scope, and professional boundaries.
5. CATEGORIES OF CIKITSA – 15–20%
• Classical Disease Classifications – Jvara (fever), Prameha (urinary disorders including diabetes),
Sthūlya (obesity), Apasmāra (epilepsy), Yoni Vyāpat (gynecological disorders), Kāmala & Pāṇḍu
(jaundice & anemia), Śvāsa (respiratory disorders), etc.
• Samprapti (Pathogenesis) – Step-wise sequence of events (Sañcaya, Prakopa, Prasara,
Sthānasaṃśraya, Vyakti, Bheda) and doṣa-dhātu-mala involvement.
• Special Category Topics – Dustha Stanya (vitiated breast milk), Āmavāta vs. Sandhigata Vāta,
Sītapitta & Koṭha (urticaria types), Dūṣa Vīṣa.
• Pulse as a Diagnostic Tool – Recognizing patterns of vikṛti, gati (movement), and prognostic
signs.
• Management Principles – Upāśaya/Anupāśaya, Śodhana (cleansing) vs. Śamana (palliation),
Daśavidha Parīkṣa to guide treatment.
SUMMURIZED POINT-FORM EXAM COVERAGE
• Foundations: Four Vedas → Atharva Veda; Bṛhat Trayī (Caraka, Suśruta, Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya);
Saṃkhya philosophy (24 tattvas).
• Concepts: Pañca Mahābhūta → Tridoṣa; Sapta Dhātu (Rasa to Śukra); 13 types of Agni; Āma –
causes, signs, dosha-specific symptoms; Ojas (Aṣṭabindu); Srotas (channels, mūla, mārga,
mukha).
• Assessment: Trividha (Darśana, Sparśana, Praśna); Aṣṭavidha (Nāḍī, Mūtra, Mala, Jihvā, Śabda,
Sparśa, Dṛk, Ākṛti); Daśavidha (10 factors including Prakṛti, Sattva, Bala); Nidāna Pañcaka (Hetu,
Pūrvarūpa, Rūpa, Upāśaya, Samprapti).
• Treatment: Āhāra & Vihāra, Dravyaguṇa (Rasa-Guṇa-Vīrya-Vipāka-Prabhāva), Pañcakarma (5
procedures), Agreya Auṣadha, HIPAA & ethics.
• Categories: Jvara, Prameha, Sthūlya, Apasmāra, Yoni Vyāpat, Kāmala, Śvāsa, Āmavāta, Sītapitta,
Dustha Stanya, etc.
AYURVEDA PRACTITIONER (NAMA) CERTIFICATION EXAM
250 SCENARIO-BASED MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS (RANDOM ORDER)
Question 1
Which of the following texts is considered part of the Bṛhat Trayī (Great Triad) of Ayurveda?
A) Mādhava Nidāna
, Page 3 of 205
B) Bhāva Prakāśa
C) Caraka Saṃhitā
D) Śāraṅgadhara Saṃhitā
Answer: C
Rationale: The Bṛhat Trayī consists of Caraka Saṃhitā, Suśruta Saṃhitā, and Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayaṃ. Mādhava
Nidāna, Bhāva Prakāśa, and Śāraṅgadhara Saṃhitā are part of the Laghu Trayī (the Small Triad).
Question 2
In Sāṃkhya philosophy, which term refers to “pure consciousness” that is distinct from matter (Prakṛti)?
A) Manas
B) Buddhi
C) Puruṣa
D) Ahaṃkāra
Answer: C
Rationale: In Sāṃkhya, Puruṣa (consciousness) is the eternal, unchanging witness, while Prakṛti
, Page 4 of 205
(primordial matter) is the active creative principle. Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), and Ahaṃkāra (ego)
are evolutions of Prakṛti.
Question 3
From which of the four Vedas does Āyurveda primarily originate?
A) Ṛg Veda
B) Yajur Veda
C) Sāma Veda
D) Atharva Veda
Answer: D
Rationale: Āyurveda is widely regarded as an upaveda (subsidiary text) of the Atharva Veda, although
some passages are also found in the Ṛg Veda. Atharva Veda contains extensive hymns on healing,
longevity, and medical practices.
