In a significant move to strengthen India's healthcare infrastructure, the Union Budget 2026-27 has unveiled a comprehensive plan to train one lakh allied health professionals across ten specialised fields. This initiative, announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, aims to redefine the role of care workers, standardise their training, and ensure better compensation and respect for these crucial healthcare contributors.
Upgrading Training Institutes and Expanding Disciplines
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her Budget speech, highlighted that existing institutions for allied health professionals will be upgraded, and new centres will be established in both the private and government sectors over the next five years. The training institutes will cover ten selected disciplines, which include optometry, radiology, anaesthesia, operation theatre (OT) technology, applied psychology, and behavioural health. This expansion is designed to address the growing demand for skilled healthcare support staff and create a more team-focused care model.
Standardisation and Employment Opportunities
Dr Yagna Unmesh Shukla, chairperson of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, emphasised that this budget announcement will open new employment avenues. "This has been a neglected area, with medical care being doctor-centric so far. The budget announcement recognises the creation of a more team-focused care model. It will open new avenues for employment," she stated. With the establishment of a regulatory body, standardisation and quality control have been introduced into the training of allied health professionals. A uniform curriculum has been released, and the registration process for those working in the 57 listed allied professions will commence soon.
Focus on Elderly Care and Comprehensive Training
The Budget also outlines plans to establish a robust "care system" for older adults. Programmes aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework will be developed to train multi-skill caregivers, combining core care and allied skills such as wellness, yoga, and the operation of medical assistive devices. Dr Prasun Chatterjee, former professor of geriatrics at AIIMS, noted, "As the country ages, there is a need for caregivers who can provide comprehensive care to the elderly. A push from the government will help in clearly defining the role of these care workers, standardise their training, ensure good pay, and most importantly, guarantee respect." He added that many trained caregivers often quit due to lack of respect, being treated as house help, which this initiative aims to prevent.
Addressing India's Ageing Population
This focus on elderly care is timely, given India's rapidly ageing population. According to the government's Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), the proportion of people aged 60 or older is expected to increase from 8.6% in 2011 to 19.5% by 2050. In absolute terms, the number of elderly individuals is projected to rise from 103 million in 2011 to 319 million in 2050. This demographic shift underscores the urgency of enhancing healthcare support systems, as reflected in the government's recent expansion of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme to include those aged 70 and above.
The Budget 2026-27 initiative represents a pivotal step towards building a resilient and inclusive healthcare workforce, ensuring that allied health professionals are equipped to meet the evolving needs of India's population.
