Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Budget 2026 in Parliament on 1 February 2026 at 11 am. In his budget speech he has announced support for three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), one new National Institute of Design (NID) and five new university townships. Let us know what medical students have got in the budget?

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To create new skilled career paths for the youth, the Finance Minister proposed to take the following steps in these sectors-

3 new Ayurveda institutes, new veterinary colleges, Ayush colleges to be upgraded

This time the Central Government has focused on promoting Yoga and Ayurveda. In the General Budget 2026, Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the creation of 3 new Indian Institutes of Ayurveda (AIIAs). In the year 2026-27, veterinary and para veterinary colleges will be established to increase the number of veterinary professionals to 20 thousand. The government will provide financial help for this.

3 new pharmacy institutes and existing 7 will be upgraded

According to the new Budget 2026, India will be developed as a global bio-pharma manufacturing hub by setting up Bio Pharma Shakti with an expenditure of Rs 10,000 crore in the next 5 years. 3 new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) will be set up, and 7 existing NIPERs will be upgraded. Ayush pharmacy will be upgraded. This will increase career opportunities in the pharma sector.

1 lakh jobs will come in health sector

Outlining the plan to strengthen India’s healthcare system, the Finance Minister announced in Budget 2026 that 1 lakh Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) will be added in the next 5 years. Allied Health Professionals Centers will be opened in many sectors including optometry, radiology, anesthetics.

North India will get a new Mental Health and Neuro Sciences College

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS-2) will be established in North India. At present, NIMHANS is only in Bengaluru. Through this, the capacity in district hospitals will be strengthened and increased by 50% by creating emergency and trauma care centres.

Training to 1 lakh caregivers

A strong care system covering elderly care and related systems will be created. A variety of NSQF-aligned programs will be developed to train multi-skilled caregivers covering core care and wellness, yoga and ancillary skills such as operating medical assistive devices. 1.5 lakh caregivers will be given training.

Medical Tourism Service Center

In Budget 2026, a scheme has been announced to provide assistance to states for setting up five Regional Medical Hubs in partnership with the private sector, to promote India as a medical tourism service hub. These centers will serve as integrated medical healthcare centers with medical, educational and research facilities. In these, after diagnostic service, AYUSH centers will be opened for treatment care, rehabilitation and medical tourism.