Budget 2026 Gives Major Boost to Ayush, Strengthens India’s Global Wellness Leadership

Shri Jadhav noted that Ayush has experienced unprecedented growth over the past decade, marked by institutional expansion, global recognition, digital transformation and research advancement.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, has welcomed the Union Budget 2026 announcements, describing them as a transformative step that significantly strengthens India’s traditional systems of medicine and the broader Ayush ecosystem.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Shri Jadhav said the Budget reflects a visionary and future-oriented approach to healthcare, firmly positioning Ayush as a core pillar of India’s integrative health framework.

“The Budget demonstrates the Government’s unwavering commitment to building a holistic, inclusive and globally competitive healthcare system, where Ayush plays a central role,” the Minister said.

In her Budget Speech, the Finance Minister announced a series of landmark initiatives aimed at expanding Ayush education, research, quality assurance, workforce development, medical value tourism and global leadership. These measures reinforce India’s ambition to position traditional medicine as a driver of preventive healthcare, economic growth and international wellness leadership.

A key highlight of the Budget is the proposal to establish three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda (AIIAs). These institutes will expand access to high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate education, strengthen advanced research, and enhance tertiary care services, building on the success of existing national Ayush institutions.

The Budget also proposes upgrading Ayush pharmacies and drug testing laboratories to higher certification standards. This move is expected to improve product quality, boost consumer confidence, enhance export readiness, and support farmers cultivating medicinal plants as well as MSMEs involved in processing and manufacturing.

Further strengthening India’s global footprint, the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar will be upgraded to deepen international research collaboration, training and policy engagement — reinforcing India’s position as a global knowledge hub for traditional medicine.

In a major step towards economic integration, Ayush Centres will be incorporated into five proposed Regional Medical Value Tourism Hubs, creating integrated healthcare destinations that combine modern medical treatment with traditional therapies, wellness services and rehabilitation. The initiative is expected to generate significant employment opportunities for Ayush practitioners, therapists, yoga instructors and allied professionals.

The inclusion of yoga and wellness competencies in NSQF-aligned caregiver training programmes, targeting 1.5 lakh caregivers in the coming year, further embeds Ayush-linked skills within the expanding care economy, strengthening preventive, rehabilitative and geriatric healthcare services.

Shri Jadhav noted that Ayush has experienced unprecedented growth over the past decade, marked by institutional expansion, global recognition, digital transformation and research advancement.

“This Budget builds on a strong foundation. It signals a shift from expansion to consolidation, quality enhancement and global integration. Traditional medicine is no longer complementary — it is integral to India’s healthcare future,” he said.

Highlighting the broader economic impact, the Minister said the Budget effectively links healthcare policy with rural livelihoods, export growth, youth employment and entrepreneurship, reinforcing India’s emergence as the global capital of evidence-based holistic healthcare.

He reiterated his appreciation to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, stating that the Budget marks a decisive step towards institutionalising integrative healthcare for a healthier, self-reliant and globally respected India.