On November 11, 2025, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the 22nd CII Annual Health Summit in New Delhi, where he outlined the government's vision for healthcare affordability and India's emergence as a global medical value travel destination. The Minister stated that GST on health and life insurance has been reduced from 18 per cent to 0 per cent, and duties on medical devices, cancer-care drugs and several essential medicines have been lowered to make treatments more accessible. He said India has expanded from 7 All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and 387 medical colleges in 2014 to 23 AIIMS and 706 medical colleges today, with further medical-seat expansion planned by 2029 as announced by the Prime Minister from the Red Fort. Goyal highlighted that Jan Aushadhi Kendras have crossed 10,000 outlets, providing affordable generic medicines and sanitary products. Ayushman Bharat now covers around 700 million eligible citizens, and free healthcare has been extended to all senior citizens above 70 years of age, regardless of income. On medical value travel, the Minister welcomed suggestions for Visa-on-Arrival and E-Visa facilities for medical tourists, noting India offers world-class care at one-third to one-fourth the cost in developed countries. He suggested hospitals could consider up to 10 per cent foreign-patient capacity with revenue contributions to Ayushman Bharat or CSR. Closing his address, he urged that 'Heal in India' integrate modern medicine with Ayurveda, Yoga, meditation and spiritual tourism to position India as the world's number-one wellness destination.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Addresses 22nd CII Annual Health Summit; Highlights GST Cut to 0% on Health Insurance and 'Heal in India' Vision
At the 22nd CII Annual Health Summit on 11 November 2025, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted GST cut on health and life insurance from 18% to 0%, growth of AIIMS (7 to 23) and medical colleges (387 to 706), 10,000+ Jan Aushadhi Kendras and the 'Heal in India' vision integrating Ayurveda with modern medicine.
Key facts
- Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the 22nd CII Annual Health Summit in New Delhi on 11 November 2025.
- GST on health and life insurance has been reduced from 18% to 0%; duties on medical devices and cancer-care drugs also lowered to improve affordability.
- AIIMS count grew from 7 (2014) to 23; medical colleges from 387 to 706; further medical-seat expansion planned by 2029.
- Jan Aushadhi Kendras crossed 10,000 outlets; Ayushman Bharat covers ~700 million people; free healthcare extended to all citizens above 70 years, regardless of income.
- Minister welcomed Visa-on-Arrival / E-Visa proposals for medical tourists; said India offers world-class care at one-third to one-fourth the cost of developed countries; urged 'Heal in India' to integrate Ayurveda, Yoga, meditation and spiritual tourism.
Mains angle
Q: How do healthcare reforms outlined at the 22nd CII Health Summit position India as a global medical-value-travel destination?
Answer (50 words):
At the November 11, 2025 summit, Minister Goyal outlined GST reduction on health insurance from 18 to 0 percent, expansion from 7 to 23 AIIMS and 387 to 706 medical colleges, and over 10,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The Heal-in-India vision integrates Ayurveda with modern medicine, targeting tourists with one-third developed-country costs.
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At the 22nd CII Annual Health Summit on 11 November 2025, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said GST on health and life insurance has been reduced from 18% to which rate?
According to the PIB release, Minister Piyush Goyal stated at the 22nd CII Annual Health Summit on 11 November 2025 that GST on health and life insurance has been reduced from 18 per cent to 0 per cent, alongside lower duties on medical devices and cancer-care drugs.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Frequently asked questions
What did Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal say about GST on health and life insurance at the 22nd CII Annual Health Summit?
He said GST on health and life insurance has been reduced from 18 per cent to 0 per cent, and duties on medical devices, cancer-care drugs and several essential medicines have also been lowered to improve affordability.
How has India's medical education infrastructure grown since 2014, according to Goyal?
AIIMS institutions have grown from 7 to 23, and medical colleges from 387 to 706. The Prime Minister has announced further significant expansion of medical seats by 2029.
What coverage does Ayushman Bharat and free senior-citizen healthcare now provide?
Ayushman Bharat makes around 700 million citizens eligible for free healthcare; free healthcare has been extended to all senior citizens above 70 years, irrespective of income.
How does Goyal envision India becoming a global medical value travel destination?
He welcomed Visa-on-Arrival and E-Visa proposals for medical tourists, noted India offers care at one-third to one-fourth the cost in developed countries, suggested up to 10% foreign-patient capacity in hospitals, and urged that 'Heal in India' integrate modern medicine with Ayurveda, Yoga, meditation and spiritual tourism.
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