India is expanding its Medical Value Travel (MVT) sector as a major component of its global services economy, combining advanced medical treatment with wellness-based care.
The sector, valued at USD 8.7 billion in 2025, is projected to reach USD 16.2 billion by 2030, supported by initiatives such as “Heal in India”. In 2025, over 5 lakh foreign patients travelled to India for treatment, drawn by lower costs and growing clinical capacity.
A key feature of India’s model is the integration of high-end procedures (such as cardiac and oncology care) with AYUSH-based therapies like Yoga and Ayurveda, positioning the country as both a treatment and recovery destination.
To support this growth, the Union Budget 2026–27 proposes five Regional Medical Hubs, integrating healthcare, education, and research infrastructure. The ecosystem is further enabled by expanded medical and AYUSH visa regimes, now covering over 170 countries, and a growing base of NABH-accredited hospitals.
India is moving toward a system-based approach to medical tourism, combining infrastructure, regulation, and service delivery to strengthen its global position.
Key Statistical and Growth Benchmarks (2025-26)
Market Projections: MVT market expected to grow from USD 8.7 billion (2025) to USD 16.2 billion (2030).
Patient Arrivals: 507,244 foreign nationals arrived for medical purposes in 2025.
Medical Infrastructure: India hosts 69,364 hospitals (43,486 private; 25,778 public) with over 1,299 NABH-accredited institutions.
Top Source Markets: Led by Bangladesh (325,127 arrivals), followed by Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Somalia.
Employment Impact: The tourism sector supports 8.46 crore jobs, accounting for 13.3% of total employment.
Regional Concentration: JCI-accredited hospitals are primarily clustered in major hubs like Delhi (9), Mumbai (6), and Bangalore (3).
What is "Medical Value Travel (MVT)"?
Medical Value Travel (MVT) is defined as the practice of traveling across international borders to obtain healthcare services, encompassing both curative clinical treatments and preventive wellness therapies. In India, MVT is promoted as an integrated "holistic health" model. It allows patients to receive high-end surgical interventions, such as organ transplants or neurosurgery, at a fraction of the cost found in developed nations, while simultaneously accessing traditional systems like Ayurveda and Yoga for post-operative rehabilitation and long-term wellness.
Policy Relevance
Drives Economic Growth: With travel and tourism contributing 5.22% to GDP, MVT acts as a high-value sub-sector that brings in significant foreign exchange.
Global Soft Power: The promotion of Yoga and AYUSH as global brands for holistic health strengthens India's cultural influence and international diplomatic ties.
Infrastructure Transformation: The creation of Regional Medical Hubs ensures that advanced healthcare facilities are decentralized and integrated with research and education.
Ensures Quality Standards: Adopting ISO 22525 and expanding NABH/JCI accreditations builds international trust, positioning India as a reliable 365-day destination for healing.
Digital Governance: Initiatives like the revamped MVT Portal and airport facilitation lounges streamline the "end-to-end" patient journey from visa application to post-operative care.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: To what extent can the Ministry of Tourism effectively decentralise the 'Heal in India' initiative by providing fiscal incentives for private healthcare providers in Tier-2 cities to secure NABH accreditation?
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