01/02/2026
In a landmark announcement for the Indian healthcare sector, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget 2026-27 has placed an unprecedented focus on Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). Moving beyond the traditional doctor-centric narrative, the budget acknowledges AHPs as the "backbone of the healthcare delivery system," earmarking substantial funds and specific targets to expand this workforce over the next five years.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the announcements concerning Allied Health Practitioners.
1. The "1 Lakh Strong" Workforce Initiative
The headline announcement for the sector is the government's target to add 100,000 (1 Lakh) Allied Health Professionals over the next five years.
* Dedicated Allocation: For the first time, a specific allocation of ₹1,000 crore has been set aside for the Scheme for Allied Health Care Professionals.
* Focus Disciplines: The Finance Minister explicitly identified 10 priority disciplines where the gap in supply and demand is most acute. These include:
* Optometry
* Radiology and Imaging Technology
* Anaesthesia Technology
* Operation Theatre (OT) Technology
* Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health
2. Institutional Expansion and Upgrades
To meet the training requirements for this expanded workforce, the budget proposes a dual approach to infrastructure:
* Upgrading Existing Institutes: Current government institutions offering paramedical and allied health courses will receive funding for modernization and capacity expansion.
* New Institutions: The government will facilitate the establishment of new AHP institutions in both the public and private sectors. This public-private partnership (PPP) model aims to rapidly scale up the number of seats available for aspiring practitioners.
3. A New "Care Ecosystem" for Geriatrics
Recognizing India's demographic shift towards an aging population, the budget introduced a robust plan for a "Strong Care Ecosystem."
* Caregiver Training: A massive target has been set to train 1.5 lakh (150,000) multi-skilled caregivers in the coming year alone.
* Curriculum Integration: These programs will be aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
* Holistic Skill Sets: Unlike traditional nursing aides, these caregivers will be trained in a hybrid curriculum combining:
* Core medical support skills.
* Wellness and Yoga.
* Operation of medical and assistive devices (critical for home-based elderly care).
4. Boost for Mental Health Professionals
In a significant move for the mental health sector, the budget has prioritized Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health as key allied disciplines.
* NIMHANS-2: The establishment of a new NIMHANS-2 in North India, along with the upgradation of mental health institutes in Ranchi and Tezpur to "Regional Apex Institutions," will create immediate high-level employment opportunities for clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and psychiatric nurses.
5. Medical Value Travel (Medical Tourism)
The government announced the creation of Five Regional Medical Hubs in partnership with state governments and the private sector.
* Impact on AHPs: These hubs are designed to attract international patients, necessitating a workforce that is not only clinically skilled but also trained in soft skills and international standards of care. This positions Indian AHPs to be a key driver of the "Heal in India" initiative.
Summary of Key Numbers
| Initiative | Target / Allocation | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| New Allied Health Professionals | 1,00,000 (1 Lakh) | Next 5 Years |
| Specific AHP Scheme Fund | ₹1,000 Crore | FY 2026-27 |
| New Caregivers Trained | 1,50,000 (1.5 Lakh) | Next 1 Year |
| Focus Disciplines | 10 (Inc. Radiology, OT, Optometry) | - |
| Overall Health Budget | ₹1,06,530 Crore (10% increase) | FY 2026-27 |
Conclusion
The Union Budget 2026 marks a paradigm shift. By funding the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) mandates and setting concrete recruitment targets, the government has signaled that the future of Indian healthcare relies on a multidisciplinary team. For students and practitioners in allied health, 2026 promises to be a year of recognition, standardization, and immense opportunity.
