Instead of a thrust on key areas such as women and children’s health, the government has chosen to expand tertiary healthcare.
Rather than reinforcing primary health infrastructure, the India’s Budget 2026-2027 leans heavily toward tertiary care expansion. Government Open Data License – India (GODL), Wikimedia Commons.
Instead of a thrust on key areas such as women and children’s health, the government has chosen to expand tertiary healthcare.
India’s Budget 2026–27 was presented on February 1 with much celebration and described as a transformative step toward inclusive growth. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring access to resources and opportunities for every family and community.
Health sector allocations were highlighted as a sign of social development. Yet, a closer reading reveals a troubling gap: primary healthcare—the foundation of any public health system—remains neglected.
