India's Government to Enhance Care Ecosystem with 1.5 Lakh Multiskilled Caregivers
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, March 8 (NationPress) The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship is set to conduct a 'breakout session' aimed at enhancing India’s caregiving framework as part of its Post-Budget Webinar series, as stated in an official announcement on Sunday.
The Ministry emphasized that this session will focus on the objective of training 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers to address India's growing domestic demands while also seizing emerging global prospects in the caregiving sector.
This Webinar is anticipated to act as a collaborative space for various stakeholders to discuss the implementation strategies aligned with the vision articulated in the Budget Speech 2026-27.
The Budget Speech 2026-27 has highlighted the necessity of establishing a robust Care Ecosystem encompassing geriatric and related care services.
“A diverse array of NSQF-aligned programs will be initiated to train multiskilled caregivers by integrating essential caregiving and allied skills such as wellness, yoga, and the operation of medical and assistive devices. We aim to train 1.5 lakh caregivers in the upcoming year,” stated the finance minister.
The Union Budget 2026–27 has proposed a significant enhancement of the care ecosystem through the introduction of NSQF-aligned training programs that merge core caregiving skills with supplementary competencies, including wellness assistance, yoga, and operation of medical and assistive devices.
The webinar will bring together healthcare specialists, state authorities, international organizations, and academic institutions to explore the standardization of caregiver qualifications, improving trainer capacity, infrastructure, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities, as mentioned in the statement. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship also pointed out plans to promote workforce mobility for caregivers by aligning skill standards with international benchmarks.
India’s skill development landscape, bolstered by institutions like the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), is evolving to address these changing workforce needs.
Numerous individuals have already been educated in caregiving roles such as Geriatric Caregiver, Home Health Aide, and General Duty Assistant, laying the groundwork for a structured workforce in care, it mentioned.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will oversee the full-day webinar, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to address the post-Budget session on March 9, 2026.