India holds the largest collection of manuscripts in the world, with a significant portion dedicated to Ayurveda. These manuscripts are vital primary sources for understanding classical Ayurvedic knowledge. However, less than 2% of these manuscripts are critically edited or published, posing a threat to the preservation and advancement of the discipline. Manuscriptology—the science of handling and interpreting ancient manuscripts—thus becomes essential for the sustainable development of Ayurvedic literature. An exploratory literary research method was employed. Classical Ayurvedic texts, published research papers, institutional resources, and archival data were reviewed to synthesize a structured understanding of Manuscriptological practices. Particular emphasis was placed on the processes of collection, conservation, cataloguing, transcription, transliteration, translation, and critical editing.

The study outlined a structured framework for Ayurvedic manuscriptology, comprising primary stages such as collection, cataloguing, and conservation, followed by secondary processes including transcription, transliteration, translation, and preparation of critical editions. Techniques like lower and higher textual criticism are critical for reconstructing authentic versions of texts. Although initiatives such as the National Mission for Manuscripts have made significant strides, a large portion of Ayurvedic manuscripts still remains critically unedited and unpublished, limiting their academic and clinical utility. Incorporating manuscriptology into Ayurvedic education and research is vital for safeguarding classical knowledge systems while simultaneously enabling scholarly innovation and critical reinterpretation. This research underscores the urgent need for scholarly engagement in manuscript-based studies to rejuvenate the foundational knowledge of Ayurveda and promote its global applicability.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Manuscriptology, Critical Edition, Literary Research,  Indigenous Knowledge