Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced plans to establish five regional medical tourism hubs to position India as a global destination for affordable, high-quality healthcare.

Presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, she proposed launching a dedicated scheme to support states in setting up these hubs as integrated healthcare complexes, combining medical treatment, education, and research facilities under one ecosystem.

In addition, the government earmarked a Rs 10,000-crore outlay for the ‘Biopharma Shakti’ programme over the next five years to strengthen India’s biopharmaceutical capabilities and boost innovation in the life sciences sector.