During the Union Budget 2026-27 announcement, Finance Minister has announced a slew of measures aimed at building a new range of employable and career-important skilling activities for youth in a variety of sectors, including public health services. For Allied Health Care Professionals, existing institutions will be upgraded and new programmes will be set up in the private and government sectors, along with establishment of new institutions. It will cover 10 major medical disciplines including Optometry, Radiology, Anaesthesia, OT Technology, Applied Psychology and Mental Health. In this direction, 1 lakh Allied Health Care Professionals will be added in the next five years.
In her speech, the Finance Minister said that a robust care ecosystem will be created covering the elderly and specialised care services. A series of National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-aligned programmes will be developed to prepare multi-skill service providers with use and implementation of wellness, care, yoga and medicine and assistive devices. As a result, about one and a half lakh care service providers will be trained in the next few years.
"Investments in allied health services and workforce development will lead to decentralising care delivery, strengthening last-mile access and improving patient outcomes."
Rajwinder Mehdwan, Managing Director & CEO – Roche Pharma India & Neighbouring Markets
"While provision for creating these allied health professionals is a welcome move, we have to learn from the lessons about the quality of medical education and make sure that the products of these institutions are ready to hit the ground running and be assimilated into the health system so that they can make a difference to the patients' lives from day one.”
Professor Sarang Deo, Deputy Dean, Faculty & Research, and Executive Director, Max Institute of Healthcare Management, Indian School of Business
"By prioritising innovation, workforce development and robust infrastructure, the 2026 Budget lays the foundation for a more resilient, patient-centric, and technologically advanced healthcare system, poised to meet India’s growing health needs in the years ahead.”
Anish Bafna, CEO & MD, Healthium Medtech
