The Union Budget 2026-27 has increased the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s allocation to Rs 1,06,530.42 crore, marking an 8.96% rise from the previous fiscal year. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the budget, emphasized a roadmap for healthcare reforms, focusing on universal health coverage and inclusive growth. The budget includes strengthened financial support for the Department of Health Research, with a significant increase compared to previous years.
The scheme component under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has seen a 10.78% increase, amounting to Rs 6,175.96 crore, while the non-scheme component has risen by 6.32% to Rs 2,500.96 crore. Notably, the budget has also enhanced allocations for key flagship programs like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and the National Health Mission (NHM) to improve healthcare services across states and union territories.
Additionally, the budget allocates funds to the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) to boost healthcare infrastructure development. It prioritizes the upgradation and expansion of healthcare infrastructure, including the establishment of new AIIMS institutions and the enhancement of government medical colleges. The National AIDS and STD Control Programme has also received increased support for blood transfusion services to enhance blood safety and quality standards nationwide.
The budget further focuses on the expansion and strengthening of allied and healthcare professionals’ education with a phased plan outlay. It allocates resources for medical colleges, nursing education, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to enhance digital health records and telemedicine services for efficient healthcare delivery. Moreover, there is a significant boost to medical research and innovation under the Department of Health Research, particularly for the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
