Union Budget 2026: Health Sector Gets Historic Boost, Cancer Drugs Cheaper

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27, marking her 9th consecutive presentation.
• The health budget crossed ₹1 lakh crore for the first time, a historic step towards WHO standards of 1.25% GDP spending on health.
• Key announcements include 3 new Ayurvedic AIIMS, two new institutions for National Mental Health, and the Bio Pharma Shakti Yojana.
• 17 cancer drugs made cheaper, providing significant relief to millions of patients by reducing treatment costs.
• Bhopal, ranking second nationally in oral cancer cases, will particularly benefit from cheaper cancer medicines.