Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget 2026 speech said there will be a "comprehensive push to scale up the AYUSH ecosystem, boost modern healthcare delivery and facilitate global market access".
Key among the flagship announcements is a new programme to help states establish five regional AYUSH-led medical hubs, which will serve as integrated healthcare complexes for advanced diagnostics and post treatment rehabilitation facilities.
The Finance Minister announced allocation of Rs 10,000 crore over the next five years under the Biopharma Shakti programme to boost domestic production of biologics and biosimilars. The programme will focus on health advancement through knowledge, technology, and innovation. The minister said India's disease burden is observed to be shifting towards non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and autoimmune disorders.
"India's disease burden is observed to be shifting towards non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer and auto-immune diseases. Biological medicines are key to longevity and quality of life at affordable costs. To develop India as a global bio-pharma manufacturing hub, I propose the Biopharma Shakti, with an outlay of 10,000 crore over the next five years."
Under Biopharma Shakti, the government will create a network of 1,000 accredited India clinical trials sites. "We propose to strengthen the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation to meet global standards and approve timeframes through a dedicated scientific review and specialists," she added.
The Finance Minister also proposed to exempt basic customs duty on 17 drugs and medicines used for treating cancer patients. The move is aimed at reducing the cost burden of critical therapies and enabling improved access to vital medicines. "To provide relief to patients, particularly those suffering from cancer, I propose to exempt basic customs duty on 17 drugs or medicines. I propose also to add 7 more rare diseases for the purposes of exempting import duties on personal import of drugs, medicines and food for special medical purposes used in their treatment," the finance minister said during her Budget speech, which she presented today.
Dr Ashish Joshi, Director, Co-founder and Medical Oncologist, M|O|C Cancer Care and Research Centre:
This Budget brings tangible relief for cancer patients. The exemption of basic customs duty on 17 critical cancer drugs, along with the inclusion of seven additional rare diseases under import duty exemption for personal medical use will directly reduce treatment costs for many patients who rely on imported therapies.
The establishment of five regional medical centres, expansion to 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites, and reforms in drug testing and regulatory systems together tackle long-standing barriers of access, innovation, and time, marking an important step forward for cancer care in India.”
Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director, Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital®, Delhi
This announcement brings much-needed relief to cancer patients and their families, particularly those undergoing treatment for rare and advanced cancers where access to specialised medicines is often limited by high costs. The exemption of basic customs duty on 17 essential cancer drugs, along with the inclusion of seven additional rare diseases under duty-free personal imports, will significantly reduce the financial burden on patients who already face prolonged and intensive treatment journeys.
By improving affordability and easing access to life-saving therapies that are not manufactured domestically will ensure timely treatment and better clinical outcomes. Such patient-centric policy interventions demonstrate a strong commitment to making cancer care more equitable and accessible and will have a meaningful impact on both survival and quality of life for patients across the country.
Dr Shyam Aggarwal, Chairman, Medical Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
We welcome the exemption on 17 cancer drugs and duty-free personal import of medicines and food for seven rare diseases. It is a compassionate policy move that will directly reduce treatment costs, improve access to life-saving therapies, and ease the financial burden on patients and their families.
Dr Vinay Agrawal, Former National President IMA and Chairman Pushpanjali Healthcare
Strengthening India’s generic pharma ecosystem is critical to making long-term treatment for autoimmune disorders affordable. Policy and budgetary support for domestic generics can dramatically reduce therapy costs, ensuring patients are not forced to choose between financial stability and continued care.
Dr Dharminder Nagar, Managing Director, Paras Health & Co-Chair, FICCI Healthcare Committee
Backing a bio-pharma manufacturing ecosystem with sustained public investment sends a strong signal that India is serious about self-reliance in complex medicines. This support will not only accelerate research and production for diabetes and autoimmune conditions, but also lower costs, expand access, and position India as a global hub for affordable biologics.
Dr Navin Dang, Founder and Director, Dr Dangs Lab
Training 1.5 lakh caregivers, building five regional hubs for medical value tourism, and upskilling optometrists, radiographers and allied professionals together strengthen India’s healthcare workforce while improving quality, access and global competitiveness.
Dr Harsh Mahajan, Mentor, FICCI Health Sector and Founder and Chairman Mahajan Imaging & Labs
Strengthening India’s generic pharma ecosystem is critical to making long-term treatment for autoimmune disorders affordable. Policy and budgetary support for domestic generics can dramatically reduce therapy costs, ensuring patients are not forced to choose between financial stability and continued care.
Deepak Chopra, founder president Thalassemics India and Mentor, Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG)
For Thalassemic patients, we welcome strengthening India’s generic pharma ecosystem. It is critical to making long-term treatment affordable. Policy and budgetary support for domestic generics can dramatically reduce therapy costs, ensuring patients are not forced to choose between financial stability and continued care.
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