Industry experts have lauded the Union Budget 2026 for its emphasis on the biopharma sector, clinical trials, medical tourism, and Ayurveda. The budget proposed the Biopharma Shakti scheme with an allocation of Rs 10,000 crores over the next five years to establish India as a global biopharma manufacturing hub. Additionally, the government plans to set up a network of three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) and upgrade seven existing ones.
The Biopharma Shakti initiative aims to create an ecosystem for MSMEs to develop and manufacture biologics and biosimilar drugs, which are crucial for the pharmaceutical market. Experts believe that this initiative can position India as a key player in global biopharma manufacturing. The budget also includes the establishment of over 1,000 accredited India Clinical Trials sites to support medical research and innovation.
Experts in the healthcare sector view the budget’s support for bio-pharma manufacturing as a positive step towards self-reliance in producing complex medicines. They believe that this investment will accelerate research, production, and affordability of essential drugs for diseases like diabetes and autoimmune conditions. The budget also focuses on enhancing India’s pharmaceutical ecosystem through the development of clinical research infrastructure and regulatory reforms.
The announcement of five regional Medical Value Tourism hubs and the integration of Ayush centers into these hubs are seen as significant moves to promote India as a global healthcare destination. Experts also appreciate the budget’s attention to Ayurveda and wellness, highlighting its forward-looking approach towards achieving national healthcare goals. The increased allocation for electronics component manufacturing is noted as a boost for the MedTech sector, aiming to enhance domestic value addition in medical electronics and diagnostics.
