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The central sector schemes including development of infrastructure and human resources for health research in the country is expected to receive a 4.41% increased allocation for the fiscal year 2026-27, as compared to the current fiscal year, as per the Union Budget.
The Union Budget 2026-27 envisages a Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs. 744.41 crore for the central sector schemes and projects, as compared to the Revised Estimates (RE) of Rs. 712.93 crore for FY 26. The expenditure for the schemes and projects under RE for FY 26 was slightly higher than the BE of Rs. 711.17 crore, according to the ministry of finance.
The BE for 2026-27 allocates Rs. 70 crore for setting up of a nation-wide network of laboratories for managing epidemics and national calamities, a 22.29% increase as compared to the RE of Rs. 57.24 crore. The objective of the scheme is to ensure timely diagnosis and management of viral epidemics and emerging and re-emerging viral infections.
However, development of infrastructure for promotion of health research, a scheme envisaging establishment of multi-disciplinary research units in government medical colleges and model rural health research units in States, has seen a 2% lower allocation at Rs. 171.35 crore as against the RE of Rs. 175 crore for 2025-26, while there is no allocation for the project for development of tools or support to prevent outbreaks of epidemics, which saw an RE of Rs. 3.67 crore in FY 26.
The central sector scheme for human resource and capacity development for health research has seen an allocation of Rs. 152 crore, which is equivalent to the RE expenditure for the scheme for FY 26. The provision is for fellowships for training in health research under the scheme of Human Resource Development of Health Research; grant in aid scheme for inter-sectoral convergence for health research and governance issues including Health Technology Assessment; and international co-operation in medical & health research including work related to international conferences.
The Prime Minister's Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)-Bio Security Preparedness and strengthening Pandemic Research and Multi Sector and National Institutions and Platform for One Health, however, has been allocated with Rs. 351.06 crore, around 8% higher than the Rs. 325 crore allocation under RE for FY 2026.
The scheme is for implementation of health research components under PM-ABHIM for biosecurity preparedness and strengthening pandemic research and multi sector and national institutions, platform for One Health, and provision for strengthening research & development (R&D) for the National One Health Mission.
The Department of Health Research, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has seen a 22.75% higher allocation under the BE for Union Budget 2026-27, at Rs. 4,821.21 crore, as against the RE of Rs. 3,927.64 crore during 2025-26.
The growth in allocation is primarily owing to the 26.98% higher allocation for Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, at Rs. 4,000 crore in BE 2026–27, as compared to the RE of Rs. 3,150.50 crore for FY 2025–26. The RE also reported a slight growth from the Rs. 3,125.50 crore allocated under BE for the fiscal year.
It may be noted that the RE for 2025-26 (of Rs. 3,150 crore) was a 9.8% growth compared to the actual budget expenditure of Rs. 2,869.56 crore for ICMR, the apex body in the country to promote, co-ordinate and formulate biomedical and health research.
The Central government gives grants to the Council for research in health, nutrition, non-communicable diseases and basic research. The Council is also engaged in research on tribal health, traditional medicine and publication and dissemination of information.
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