Update on Expenditure on Health Research

The Department of Health Research (DHR) budget has risen more than five‑fold, from ₹932 crore in 2014‑15 (RE) to ₹4,821.21 crore in 2026‑27 (BE), representing 0.012 % of GDP. The 2026‑27 allocation is about 24 % higher than the revised estimate for 2025‑26 (₹3,900.69 crore). The Union Government has broadened the health‑research funding ecosystem: ICMR has restructured its intramural and extramural grants into Small/ANVESHAN (up to ₹2 crore), Intermediate/NISCHAYAK ANVESHAN (₹2‑₹8 crore), First‑in‑the‑World Challenge (up to ₹8 crore) and Centres for Advanced Research (up to ₹15 crore). These instruments aim to support investigator‑initiated, proof‑of‑concept, high‑risk, multidisciplinary and advanced research programmes.