Budget 2026: Health as Economic Infrastructure, India's Global Healthcare Ambition

• India emerges as a resilient, fast-growing economy despite global disruptions, with strong macro-indicators.
• Union Budget 2026 pivots to strategic sectors and positions health as productive economic infrastructure, reframing risk-reward for operators.
• Focus on Biopharma SHAKTI strengthens domestic manufacturing of biologics and biosimilars, ensuring predictable access to advanced therapies.
• Emphasis on Medical Value Travel and Regional Medical Hubs aims to integrate care, education, research, and attract global patients.
• The budget highlights AI's role in healthcare, focusing on India-specific AI tools, and developing a skilled pool of allied health professionals.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 redefines health as economic infrastructure, boosting India's global healthcare leadership and investment.