I've gone through this exact process a while back, so here's what worked for me.

For directories, one option worth checking is PharmaHopers, it's a B2B pharma marketplace/directory that lists ayurvedic pharma companies in India, across cities like Delhi, Kerala, Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Haridwar, Bangalore, and other hubs, along with third-party manufacturing, PCD franchise, and private-label options. It's organized by category (manufacturer, franchise, distributor, exporter) and by location, which makes it easier to shortlist companies in known manufacturing clusters rather than searching blind.

A few practical notes from using directories like this:

Treat directory listings as a starting point, not proof of legitimacy. Anyone can list a company profile, so the write-ups are essentially self-reported marketing copy. Use the directory to build a shortlist, then verify independently.

Cross-check licensing yourself. Look up the company's drug license and GMP/AYUSH certification directly with the state licensing authority or the AYUSH Ministry's portal rather than trusting a badge shown on a listing.

Filter by location if you're targeting known clusters. Haridwar, Baddi, and parts of Kerala and Gujarat show up repeatedly as manufacturing hubs on these platforms, which lines up with their reputation as Ayurvedic/herbal production centers.

Ask for actual paperwork - drug license copy, GST registration, manufacturing/AYUSH-GMP certificate, before moving forward with any manufacturer or franchise, regardless of how polished their directory profile looks.

Other people in threads like this have also mentioned checking IDMA membership and doing a plant visit or virtual audit before committing, which I'd second, directories are good for discovery, but the actual due diligence still has to happen offline.