Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveils Union Budget 2026, highlighting India’s push as a global medical tourism hub and growth in AYUSH and healthcare sectors.
Union Budget 2026 Five Regional Medical Hubs to Boost India’s Healthcare and Medical Tourism
Union Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget 2026, which is her ninth consecutive budget speech as finance minister under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Interestingly, this is the first time that the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday in India’s fiscal history.
As per the Economic Survey 2026, the Indian economy is forecasted to expand at 7.4% in FY26 and 6.8-7.2% in FY27. This economic forecast is fueled by the country’s regulatory reforms, robust macroeconomic base, and renewed focus on private sector investment.
In a bid to develop the healthcare sector and increase foreign exchange, FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced that India will soon become a global leader in medical value tourism. The government will support the establishment of five regional medical tourism hubs in collaboration with the private sector.
“To promote India as a hub for medical tourism services, I propose to launch a scheme to support states in establishing five regional medical hubs in partnership with the private sector,” said Nirmala Sitharaman.
The five medical tourism hubs will enable states to establish large-scale, integrated healthcare facilities, which will attract foreign patients while also developing the healthcare infrastructure of the country.
Union Budget 2026-27 | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "To promote India as a medical tourism hub, I propose a scheme to support states to set up 5 regional hubs in the country." pic.twitter.com/vNKNXn4rGz
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026
The Union Budget 2026-27 has a focused thrust on the AYUSH sector. The proposed scheme will establish comprehensive healthcare complexes that will integrate:
The proposed scheme will help increase the reach of holistic healthcare, improve the image of Indian healthcare globally, and provide varied employment opportunities for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals (AHPs), technicians, and support staff.
In addition, the FM proposed the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda, which will be characterized by:
These institutions are expected to boost the health ecosystem in the regions, as well as promote traditional medicine, thereby making healthcare a growth engine for the economy and jobs.
