To address shortages in the healthcare workforce, Budget 2026 includes a strong plan to expand allied health education. Existing institutions for allied health professionals will be upgraded, and new ones will be established in both government and private sectors.
The initiative will cover 10 selected disciplines, including optometry, radiology, anaesthesia, operation theatre technology, applied psychology, and behavioural health.
Over the next five years, one lakh allied health professionals will be trained, helping meet growing demand in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centres across India.
Building a strong care system for elderly and vulnerable groups
The Finance Minister also announced the development of a strong care system covering geriatrics and allied care services. This is an important step as India’s elderly population continues to grow.
A range of programmes aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) will be developed. These programmes will train multi-skilled caregivers who can provide basic care along with allied skills.
Caregivers will be trained in areas such as wellness, yoga, and the use of medical assistive devices. Over the coming year alone, 1.5 lakh caregivers will be trained under this initiative.