Rising Trend in Medical Arrivals
Medical Tourism in India: Between January and April 2025, India welcomed 1,31,856 foreign visitors seeking medical treatment, representing 4.1% of all foreign tourist arrivals in this time frame. Over recent years, this segment has expanded steadily, with medical FTAs climbing from 1,82,945 in 2020 to 6,44,387 in 2024.
Static GK fact: The Indian medical tourism industry generated around US $9 billion in 2022–23, and is projected to cross US $13 billion by 2026.
Countries Driving Medical Tourism
In the last five years, the majority of inbound medical travellers have come from Bangladesh, Iraq, Somalia, Oman, and Uzbekistan. Bangladesh has consistently been the largest contributor, with 4,82,336 visitors arriving for medical purposes in 2024 alone.
Policy Support and Visa Access
The Heal in India programme is the flagship government initiative to strengthen India’s position in global healthcare services. Using public-private partnerships, the scheme connects hospitals, airlines, hotels, facilitators, and regulatory agencies. Medical travellers from 171 countries can now obtain e-medical visas and e-medical attendant visas, making the entry process more convenient.
Static GK Tip: India currently has more than 1,700 hospitals accredited by NABH and over 60 hospitals with global JCI accreditation.
Combining Modern and Traditional Care
India’s healthcare appeal lies in its unique mix of advanced medical facilities and traditional healing systems under AYUSH—Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Treatments in India often cost up to 90% less than similar procedures in Western countries, supported by skilled professionals and growing telemedicine services.
Static GK fact: Chennai is recognised as India’s healthcare capital, attracting nearly 45% of foreign medical tourists and treating about 150 overseas patients daily.
Role of States in the Sector
States are also building their own medical tourism frameworks. Gujarat promotes health and wellness centres through training, branding, and international outreach. In 2025, Rajasthan introduced its Heal in Rajasthan Policy, which focuses on merging modern and traditional healthcare, ensuring transparent pricing, strengthening accreditation systems, and building quality infrastructure.
Future Prospects
Affordable high-quality care, strengthened wellness infrastructure, simplified visa rules, and state-specific strategies are likely to push India’s medical tourism sector to new heights. Integration of digital platforms such as e-Sanjeevani and upcoming Heal in India portals is expected to streamline the patient journey before, during, and after treatment.
Static GK Tip: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 adds a legal safeguard for the confidentiality of patient information in India.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Medical Tourism in India:
| Topic | Detail |
| FTAs Jan–Apr 2025 | 1,31,856 (4.1% of total FTAs) |
| 2024 Total FTAs | 6,44,387 (up from 1,82,945 in 2020) |
| Top Source Country | Bangladesh (4,82,336 in 2024) |
| Visa Facilitation | E-medical visa/e-medical attendant visa for nationals of 171 countries |
| Key Initiative | Heal in India – PPP-based campaign combining modern and AYUSH medicine |
