The Department of Health Research in India, has released a draft National Health Research Policy 2026, aimed at transforming the country’s health research ecosystem. This marks the first unified framework encompassing biomedical research, clinical medicine, public health, digital health, epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and emerging technologies.
The policy seeks to align research efforts with India's disease burden, promote indigenous innovation, reduce regional disparities, enhance research infrastructure, and ensure that scientific findings inform healthcare policies and services effectively.
It proposes a three-tier governance model led by the Department of Health Research and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Additionally, the policy shifts research assessment from publications to real-world societal, policy, and equity impacts, while setting long-term targets for funding, PhDs, and indigenous technologies.
