Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said the Union Budget 2026 is set to deliver significant long-term benefits to the middle class through affordable healthcare, driven by domestic biomanufacturing and advanced technologies. Addressing the media during a post-Budget interaction, he said the true gains of the Budget lie in easing rising healthcare and living costs rather than offering short-term income relief.
Dr Singh said affordable drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics, backed by large-scale domestic production, would act as a major social and economic support for the middle class and vulnerable sections. He noted that while the impact may not be immediately visible, the Budget reflects a clear and sequential vision where structural reforms are enabled by cutting-edge technologies, increasingly powered by artificial intelligence.
Responding to concerns over whether the Budget adequately supports the middle class, the minister said its benefits should be measured through sustained reductions in medical expenses. He stressed that long-term relief from healthcare costs would have a deeper and more lasting impact on household finances than temporary fiscal concessions.
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Highlighting the growing disease burden in the country, Dr Singh said large investments in biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, vaccines, and gene-based therapies would significantly reduce financial stress for families affected by chronic illnesses. He pointed to conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and metabolic disorders as key areas where affordable treatment could transform quality of life.
The minister noted that India currently has an estimated 11–12 crore people living with diabetes and nearly 14 crore pre-diabetics, with cancer cases rising steadily. He added that projections suggest annual cancer cases could reach nearly two million by 2030, underlining the urgency of strengthening healthcare infrastructure and affordability.
Referring to the ₹10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti initiative announced in the Budget, Dr Singh said India has already established itself as a global bio-manufacturing hub. He added that the country now ranks among the leading bio-economies globally and within the Indo-Pacific region, positioning it well to deliver affordable healthcare solutions at scale.
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