Govt considers INR 2,000 Cr Allocation for Digital Health Mission

The proposal comes as the program’s initial five-year term, launched with a budget of ₹1,600 crore, is set to conclude in March next year. Only a third of the allocated funds have been used so far.

The National Health Authority (NHA) is seeking INR 2,000 Cr to extend the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) until 2030.

The proposal comes as the program’s initial five-year term, launched with a budget of ₹1,600 crore, is set to conclude in March next year. Only a third of the allocated funds have been used so far.

“We are moving a proposal to secure a significant allocation for ABDM 2.0,” one of the officials said, adding that the process for cabinet approval is underway and expected to progress quickly.

The extension is aimed at continuing the development of India’s digital health infrastructure. While the initial term laid the foundation, the next phase requires a larger budget and longer timeline to complete digital infrastructure, onboard more healthcare facilities and citizens with ABHA IDs, and strengthen human resources and capacity-building efforts.

“Hopefully by the end of this month, we are expecting to circulate the note to seek budgetary approvals for ABDM 2.0. Also, this month, NHA is hosting an annual event called Arogya Manthan, so soon after that, the Expenditure Finance Committee and cabinet note will be circulated,” the second official said.

As per reports, the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), chaired by the expenditure secretary, will review the proposal before final cabinet consideration. The committee plays a central role in assessing schemes, coordinating with ministries, and managing government expenditure.

Commenting on the development, Bharath Sesha, managing director at Philips Indian Subcontinent, said, “The extension of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is a timely step for Indian healthcare. ABDM is a visionary initiative aimed at enabling longitudinal patient data, which is fundamental to truly integrated and continuous care. With this foundation, artificial intelligence can become a powerful enabler helping clinicians detect disease earlier, support more accurate diagnosis, and deliver patient-centric outcomes.”

He added that digital tools would allow doctors to spend more quality time with patients instead of routine processes. “At Philips, we believe that the combination of ABDM’s digital backbone and AI-driven innovation will play a transformative role in building an accessible, efficient and resilient health system for the future.”

For patients, ABDM offers easily accessible digital health records, saving time and supporting better diagnosis. For the broader system, it promises a more inclusive network, reducing administrative burdens and bridging gaps between urban and rural healthcare access.

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