Budget 2026: In the Union Budget 2026–27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid out a broader health push that combines infrastructure, workforce building, geriatric care, and a sharper focus on mental health.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been allotted ₹1,06,530.42 crore for 2026–27, a 10% rise over the previous year, with ₹1,01,709.21 crore earmarked for the Department of Health and Family Welfare and ₹4,821.21 crore for the Department of Health Research.
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One of the headline proposals is a scheme to support states in setting up five regional medical hubs through private-sector partnerships. These hubs are envisioned as integrated healthcare campuses, bringing together clinical services, medical education, and research, with the stated intent of strengthening India’s pull as a medical tourism destination.
The budget also flags a skills pipeline: existing institutions for allied healthcare education are to be upgraded, and new institutions are planned in both government and private sectors. For the first time, ₹1,000 crore has been set aside specifically for allied healthcare professionals, covering 10 disciplines (including optometry, radiology, anaesthesia, OT technology, applied psychology and behavioural health) and targeting the addition of 1,00,000 professionals over five years.
On care services, the government said it will build a stronger ecosystem for geriatric and allied care, with 1.5 lakh caregivers to be trained in the coming year, covering wellness, yoga, and the use of medical and assistive devices.
Key programme and institution allocations highlighted include: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, up to ₹5,500.92 crore; Indian Council of Medical Research at ₹4,821.21 crore; National Health Mission up to ₹39,390 crore; and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana up to ₹9,500 crore. Mental health allocations move modestly for the National Tele Mental Health Programme (₹51 crore) and the National Digital Health Mission (₹350 crore), alongside an announcement of a proposed NIMHANS 2 for North India.