Backgrounder: medical and wellness tourism
India is building Medical Value Travel (MVT) by pairing modern hospitals with AYUSH wellness. In 2025, 5,07,244 foreigners came for treatment, about 5.5% of 9.15 million foreign tourist arrivals. Key steps are the “Heal in India” brand, the AYUSH Visa, e-Medical visas for 172 countries and five Regional Medical Hubs proposed in Budget 2026-27.
- Medical arrivals 2025
- 5,07,244 (about 5.5% of FTAs)
- Total FTAs 2025
- 9.15 million
- Top source
- Bangladesh (3,25,127), then Iraq (30,989)
- Rank
- 10th of 46 in Medical Tourism Index 2020–21
- Brand
- “Heal in India” (sub-brand of Incredible India)
- Budget 2026-27
- 5 Regional Medical Hubs; 3 new All India Institutes of Ayurveda
- Board
- NMWTB, set up by Ministry of Tourism in 2015
Medical and wellness tourism in India: what happened?
Treatment in rich countries is costly and waiting lists are long. India offers skilled doctors, English-speaking hospitals and lower prices, plus Yoga and Ayurveda. The government wants to turn this into a steady export of health services.
- MVT has two pillars: medical tourism (surgery, transplants, advanced diagnostics) and wellness tourism (Yoga, Ayurveda, Naturopathy and other AYUSH).
- India has 69,364 hospitals (43,486 private, 25,778 public) and 1.2 million registered doctors.
- NABH has accredited over 1,299 hospitals using more than 600 safety parameters; NABH is linked to ISQua.
- AYUSH Visa was introduced on 27 July 2023; e-AYUSH and e-AYUSH Attendant visas added.
- About 27 insurers offer over 140 policies covering AYUSH treatment under IRDAI rules.
- BIS has adopted ISO 22525 on medical wellness tourism services.
- MVT Portal is being revamped; MVT concierge and lounges planned at important airports.
What is the market size?
| Market | Value | Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Global MVT (2022) | USD 115.6 billion | USD 286.1 billion by 2030; CAGR about 10.8% |
| India medical tourism (2025, industry estimate) | USD 8.7 billion | USD 16.2 billion by 2030 |
What did Budget 2026-27 propose?
- Five Regional Medical Hubs with States and the private sector, each with AYUSH Centres and MVT Facilitation Centres, plus diagnostics, post-treatment care and rehabilitation.
- Three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda.
- Upgrade of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar.
- A pilot to upskill 10,000 guides at 20 iconic tourist sites through a 12-week course.
How is it governed?
- National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism by the Ministry of Tourism.
- National Medical & Wellness Tourism Promotion Board (NMWTB), 2015, chaired by the Union Tourism Minister, links ministries, States and industry.
- States are encouraged to set up their own boards or cells.
Where do medical tourists come from?
| Country | Arrivals |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 3,25,127 |
| Iraq | 30,989 |
| Uzbekistan | 13,699 |
| Somalia | 11,506 |
| Turkmenistan | 10,231 |
| Oman | 9,738 |
| Kenya | 9,357 |
Why does medical and wellness tourism in India matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Economic | Health services earn foreign exchange; tourism gave 5.22% of GDP in FY24. |
| Employment | Tourism supported about 8.46 crore jobs, about 13.3% of employment. |
| Soft power | Yoga and AYUSH carry India’s brand abroad. |
| Health system | Regional hubs add capacity for Indian patients too. |
What are the challenges in medical and wellness tourism in India?
- Heavy dependence on one source country: Bangladesh alone gave most medical arrivals in 2025.
- JCI-accredited hospitals cluster in a few cities (Delhi 9, Mumbai 6 as of 2022), mostly in southern and western States.
- Quality and trust need registered and rated MVT facilitators.
What should be done next on medical and wellness tourism in India?
- Set up the five Regional Medical Hubs with States.
- Launch the revamped MVT Portal and airport facilitation.
- Widen NABH accreditation to wellness centres and dental clinics.
What can Prelims ask on medical and wellness tourism in India?
- Medical Tourism Index 2020–21: India 10th of 46.
- AYUSH Visa introduced 27 July 2023.
- ISO 22525: medical wellness tourism services standard adopted by BIS.
- NMWTB set up in 2015 by the Ministry of Tourism.
- WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre: Jamnagar.
How to write about medical and wellness tourism in India in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): India has the potential to become a global hub for medical and wellness tourism. Examine the advantages and the challenges, with reference to recent government initiatives.
- Intro: MVT and its two pillars, 2025 arrivals.
- Advantages: doctors, cost, accreditation, AYUSH.
- Initiatives: Heal in India, AYUSH Visa, e-Medical visa, Regional Medical Hubs.
- Challenges: concentration of hospitals and source countries, trust in facilitators.
- Way forward and conclusion.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-05-02): india is promoting Medical Value Travel combining modern hospitals with AYUSH, supported by the AYUSH Visa and Regional Medical Hubs.
- Health services earn exports and goodwill at the same time.
Quotable data pointIndia is promoting Medical Value Travel combining modern hospitals with AYUSH, supported by the AYUSH Visa and Regional Medical Hubs.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: medical tourism, 2 May 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: AYUSH visa.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
With reference to Medical Value Travel in India, consider the following statements:
1. A dedicated AYUSH Visa was introduced in 2023.
2. The National Medical & Wellness Tourism Promotion Board is chaired by the Union Health Minister.
3. Budget 2026-27 proposed five Regional Medical Hubs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 2 May 2026: AYUSH Visa 27 July 2023; NMWTB is chaired by the Union Minister for Tourism; five Regional Medical Hubs in Budget 2026-27.
ISO 22525, adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, relates to
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 2 May 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is Medical Value Travel?
Travel abroad for treatment or wellness. In India it combines modern medical care with AYUSH systems like Yoga and Ayurveda.
How many foreigners came to India for medical treatment in 2025?
5,07,244, about 5.5% of total foreign tourist arrivals.
What is the AYUSH Visa?
A visa introduced on 27 July 2023 for foreigners and their attendants coming for treatment under recognised AYUSH systems.
What are Regional Medical Hubs?
Five integrated healthcare complexes proposed in Budget 2026-27 with States and the private sector, each with AYUSH Centres and MVT Facilitation Centres.
Which country sends the most medical tourists to India?
Bangladesh, with 3,25,127 arrivals in 2025.
Keep studying
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Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: medical tourism, 2 May 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending