India is set to expand its allied healthcare workforce by one lakh professionals over the next five years, as demand grows for skilled talent across hospitals, laboratories, rehabilitation centres and other healthcare settings.
The expansion is being supported through competency-based training, digital workforce mapping and increased investment in allied healthcare education. The measures are being implemented under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, which provides a framework for regulating and developing allied healthcare professions.
A key focus is standardising the skills and training required across different healthcare support roles. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions has finalised 18 competency-based curricula covering multiple allied healthcare disciplines. The programmes are aimed at creating more consistent training standards and improving the employability and capabilities of professionals entering these roles.
Workforce planning is also being supported through digital systems. Online enrolment portals for allied healthcare professionals and educational institutions were introduced in October 2024. These platforms are intended to help map the availability and distribution of skilled professionals across States and Union Territories. The data can also support planning for future workforce requirements.
The framework has expanded across the country, with 29 States and Union Territories having established State Allied and Healthcare Councils. These bodies are responsible for areas such as professional registration, regulation and maintaining standards.
The planned addition of 100,000 professionals is backed by an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the current financial year under the Scheme for Allied Healthcare Professionals. The funding will support education, capacity building and workforce development.
The expansion comes as healthcare delivery increasingly depends on a wider pool of specialised professionals working alongside doctors and other clinical teams. Building this talent base could help address skill gaps while strengthening the availability of trained professionals across different parts of the healthcare ecosystem.
