New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- The Union health budget for 2026 has been raised to Rs 1,04,599 crore, 18 per cent higher than last year.

According to Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Managing Director & CEO, Fortis Healthcare, "The Union Budget 2026 sends a strong and timely signal that healthcare is central to India's growth and resilience. The Rs 10,000-crore Biopharma Shakti initiative, with its expanded network of NIPER institutes, 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites, and strengthened regulatory framework, will build a robust ecosystem for domestic biologics and biosimilars. The expansion of medical education and focus on strengthening cancer care at the district level reflect a forward-looking approach to India's evolving disease burden. The Budget's ...