India’s healthcare sector witnessed significant expansion and consolidation in 2025, with the government intensifying efforts to ensure affordable, accessible and technology-driven healthcare for all, in line with the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas.
Strengthening Health Infrastructure
A major focus during the year was the expansion of health infrastructure under the PM–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). Launched to enhance pandemic preparedness and public health capacity, the mission approved over 10,600 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, 2,151 Block Public Health Units, 744 Integrated Public Health Laboratories and 621 Critical Care Blocks across the country.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), 22 AIIMS have been approved, with undergraduate courses operational in 19 institutions, alongside 75 medical college upgradation projects aimed at correcting regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare.
Expansion of Medical Education and Workforce
Between 2014 and August 2025, the number of medical colleges increased from 387 to 780, while undergraduate seats more than doubled to over 1.15 lakh. Postgraduate seats also rose significantly to over 74,000. India’s doctor-population ratio improved to 1:811, supported by over 13.8 lakh registered allopathic doctors and more than 7.5 lakh AYUSH practitioners.
Ayushman Bharat: Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage
Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) continued to anchor India’s universal healthcare efforts in 2025. More than 42 crore Ayushman cards were issued, covering over 12 crore vulnerable families. The scheme provided cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year, with over 33,000 empanelled hospitals nationwide.
The Union Budget allocation for AB-PMJAY increased to ₹9,406 crore in 2025–26, reflecting the growing scale of the programme. In September 2024, the scheme was expanded to include all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, benefiting around 6 crore elderly citizens.
Primary Healthcare and Digital Transformation
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs emerged as a cornerstone of primary healthcare delivery, with over 1.77 lakh sub-health centres and primary health centres upgraded to provide comprehensive services, including care for non-communicable diseases, mental health, diagnostics and teleconsultation.
Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, nearly 80 crore ABHA health IDs were created, linking over 67 crore electronic health records and digitally integrating healthcare delivery across the country.
Preventive and Specialised Care
India recorded notable progress in preventive healthcare in 2025. Under national screening programmes, crores of people were screened for oral, breast and cervical cancer. Infrastructure for cancer care expanded with 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres supported by central funding.
Mental healthcare services were strengthened through the National Mental Health Programme, with district-level coverage extended to over 760 districts and Tele-MANAS helplines handling more than 23 lakh calls.
Affordable Medicines and Financial Protection
Affordable access to medicines remained a priority. Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, more than 17,600 Jan Aushadhi Kendras were operational by November 2025, offering over 2,000 generic medicines at significantly reduced prices. Citizens have cumulatively saved over ₹38,000 crore on medicine purchases.
Financial assistance for critical illnesses was provided through schemes such as Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi and the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund, supporting poor patients with life-threatening diseases.
Maternal, Child and Elderly Health
Maternal and child health indicators continued to improve, with sharp declines recorded in maternal and infant mortality over the past decade. Vaccination programmes such as Mission Indradhanush and the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive reinforced India’s public health resilience.
Special focus was placed on elderly healthcare through the National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly and expanded insurance coverage under Ayushman Bharat.
As 2025 draws to a close, India’s healthcare transformation reflects a sustained push towards universal health coverage through infrastructure expansion, digital innovation, preventive care and financial protection. The year marked another step forward in building a resilient, inclusive and future-ready healthcare system for a Viksit Bharat.
