Draft National Health Research Policy 2026 

Syllabus:GS2/Health 

In News

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released a draft National Health Research Policy 2026.

Background 

• India’s research and development (R&D) ecosystem is witnessing rapid transformation, fuelled by a strong national focus on innovation-led growth. 
• The Government has placed R&D at the heart of its journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047. 
• But India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) remains below 0.7% of GDP, far behind countries such as the United States, China, and South Korea.

Draft National Health Research Policy (NHRP), 2026

• It seeks to align the country’s scientific research more closely with its disease burden and public health priorities.
• It replaces the National Health Research Policy, 2011 and provides a road map for research planning, funding, governance and innovation up to 2047.
• It is prepared by the Department of Health Research and  is the first attempt at a unified national framework spanning biomedical science, clinical medicine, public health, epidemiology, digital health, health systems, behavioural sciences and emerging technologies.

Key Features 

• Governance mechanism:  The Draft National Health Research Policy, 2026 proposes a three-tier governance mechanism to strengthen health research coordination and implementation.
  • The National Health Research Stewardship Committee will provide strategic oversight and policy coordination and the Department of Health Research (DHR) will be the nodal agency for implementation and monitoring. 
  • Scientific and Technical guidance will be provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). 
  • States will also be instrumental in mainstreaming health research into local health programmes and service delivery according to regional health priorities.
• Health research framework: It seeks to establish India’s first comprehensive health research framework that aligns scientific research with the country’s disease burden, public health needs and national priorities.
  • It seeks to promote indigenous innovation, evidence-based policy making and measurable improvements in health outcomes. 
  • It provides a consolidated framework on biomedical and clinical research, public health, epidemiology, digital health, health systems, behavioural sciences and emerging technologies within a national strategy.
• More public investment in health research: Government spending on health research will increase from its current level of 0.024% of GDP to 0.072% in 2037 & 0.15% in 2047 (approximately six-times today’s level).
  • This, although substantial, is still below the average of 0.27% of GDP spent by high income countries as reported by the WHO.
• Research Topics: It gives priority to research on India’s major health challenges including Tuberculosis (TB), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), vector borne diseases, cancer, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, anaemia, childhood malnutrition, women’s health, maternal and infant mortality and strengthening of general healthcare and emergency care systems.
  • Its role is to ensure that research is aligned with the disease burden and the public health priorities of the country.
• Transition from Quantity to Impact-Oriented Research: It  proposes a shift from measuring research outcomes by academic outputs such as number of publications, grants and completed studies to measure real-world impact.
  • Researchers will be assessed on their contributions to public health policy, clinical guidelines, indigenous innovations, capacity building, health system strengthening and improvements in health outcomes.
• National Health Research Agenda: It proposes the development of a National Health Research Agenda to determine priority research areas based on the disease burden, emerging health threats, health system needs, and national development priorities.
  • It will guide decisions on research funding and will be revised periodically to address changing public health challenges.
• Adoption of ICMR- IRIS Framework: It calls for wider use of the ICMR Impact of Research and Innovation Scale (ICMR-IRIS), which was launched in 2025, to assess research based on its impact on policy, clinical use, innovation, public health and societal benefits, and not just publications.
• Improving Research Governance: It aims to strengthen research governance by expediting ethics approvals for multi-centre studies, creating a National Research Integrity Office (NRIO) to foster ethical research and deter misconduct
  • It aims at promoting the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health research, and encouraging the shared use of laboratories, biobanks and publicly funded research infrastructure.
• Expanded role of states and the private sector  : It aims to decentralise health research by building capacity in medical colleges, increasing the participation of industry, philanthropy organisations, private hospitals and start-ups.
  • It will  incentivise states to formulate research agenda based on local health needs and encourage higher investment through CSR initiatives.

Importance of the policy

• It aims to create a research environment which addresses the public health needs of India.
• It will encourage indigenous innovation in vaccines, diagnostics, medicines and medical technologies.
• It will Improve coordination among research organisations and Make sure that policy decisions are based on evidence.
• It will broaden the research horizon beyond the leading players. And Foster community engagement, accountability and scientific integrity.

Challenges Identified

• India has built up strong health research capabilities in ICMR, universities, medical colleges and other institutions, but research capacity is still unevenly distributed with most expertise concentrated in a few institutions and states.
• Research priorities  do not always track the country’s real disease burden, health-system gaps, equity concerns or its preparedness for future public health emergencies.
• Low health research investment by the general public.
• Administrative and regulatory delays continue to slow down research even when funding is not the constraint.

Experts Views

• Experts have welcomed the Draft National Health Research Policy 2026 for its comprehensive approach, emphasis on ethical and impactful research, and greater role for states in setting research priorities. 
• However, they note that its success will depend on adequate funding, robust implementation, improved research infrastructure, timely support for researchers, and effective translation of research into better healthcare outcomes.

Conclusion 

• India’s growing focus on research, development, and innovation reflects its resolve to become a global hub of knowledge and technology. Through bold policy measures, strategic funding, and strong institutional support, the nation is laying a solid foundation for Viksit Bharat@2047. 
• Draft National Health Research Policy (NHRP), 2026 could give a big boost to India’s health research ecosystem by making it more responsive to national healthcare needs, while also promoting innovation and evidence-based public policy.

Source :TH