Lok Sabha Question No. 4717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Establishment of New NIMHANS
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal, Shri Rajesh Verma, Smt. Shambhavi, Shri Arun Bharti, Shri Atul Garg

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4717 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th MARCH, 2026

## ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW NIMHANS

## 4717. SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL:

SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

SMT. SHAMBHAVI:

SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

SHRI ATULGARG:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the multi-year plan to train 1.5 lakh geriatric caregivers correctly anticipates the needs of India's ageing population and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the establishment of a new National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscienceslike institution in North India is proposed to address the regional imbalance in advanced mental healthcare and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the 1,725 crore allocation for medical education will effectively address the shortage of specialist doctors in rural and district hospitals, particularly in Gujarat and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the full customs duty exemption on 17 life-saving drugs for cancer and rare diseases has resulted in reducing the out-of-pocket expenditure for affected families and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to establish 24/7 emergency and trauma care centres in every district hospital is expected to significantly reduce avoidable mortality in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the expansion of institutions for Allied Health Professions is likely to create a more robust and diverse workforce for the modern healthcare sector in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SH. PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) Anticipating the needs of India's aging population, the budget for FY 2026-27 proposes the creation of a strong care ecosystem covering geriatric caregivers.
- (b) The budget for FY 2026-27 has proposed the setting up of NIMHANS-2 in North India to address the regional imbalance in advanced mental health.
- (c) The funds allocated to Human Resource for Health and Medical Education (HRH&ME) is utilized for the following three Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS):
- i. Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals'
- ii. Upgradation of State Government medical colleges for starting new PG disciplines and increasing PG seats'
- iii. Upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government medical colleges to increase MBBS seats in the country

Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals' with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. The fund sharing mechanism between the Centre and State Governments is in the ratio of 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States, and 60:40 for others. Under the Scheme, all the envisaged 157 medical colleges have been approved, out of which 137 medical colleges have become functional. Under this scheme, 05 medical colleges have been approved in various districts of Gujarat namely Navsari, Porbandar, Panchmahal, Morbi and Narmada.

Further, the Government has recently approved Phase-III and extension of the CSSs for Strengthening and Upgradation of existing State/Central Government Medical Colleges, Standalone PG Institutes and Government Hospitals for creation of 5000 PG seats and 5023 MBBS seats respectively with an enhanced cost ceiling of Rs. 1.50 crore per seat. Guidelines for implementation of these schemes have been issued in November, 2025, wherein, States/UTs including Uttarakhand have been requested to send the Detailed Project Report with proper Gap Analysis. While sending the proposals, States/UTs have been requested to give priority to the institutes in underserved/rural areas and certain broad specialities.

- (d) The budget for FY 2026-27 has proposed to exempt basic custom duties on 17 drugs or medicines to provide relief to patients, particularly those suffering from Cancer.
- (e) The budget for FY 2026-27 has proposed the strengthening and increasing of the capacities by 50% in district hospitals by establishing emergency and Trauma Care Centres.
- (f) The budget for FY 2026-27 has provided for upgradation of existing institutions for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and the establishment of new AHP institutions in private and Government sectors.

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