Union Budget 2026 unveiled NIMHANS 2.0, a second National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in North India, likely Ranchi, to enhance specialized care. Upgrades in Ranchi and Tezpur create regional hubs, expanding Tele-MANAS counseling amid rising depression and anxiety. Experts hail it for equitable access and research boost.
Union Budget 2026 announced NIMHANS 2.0, a second National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in North India, likely Ranchi, to bridge regional gaps in specialized care. It includes upgrades to institutes in Ranchi and Tezpur as regional hubs, plus Tele-MANAS expansion for nationwide counseling. This responds to rising mental health challenges like depression and anxiety.
Key Highlights
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NIMHANS 2.0 addresses the lack of national-level mental health facilities in North India, replicating Bengaluru's premier institute for advanced treatment, research, and training.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted commitment to mental health and trauma care during her February 1, 2026, Parliament speech.
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Upgrades at Ranchi's Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) and Tezpur's institute will create regional apex centers, enhancing services across eastern and northeastern states.
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Ranchi, with its historic CIP on 220 acres serving 85,000 patients yearly, eyes a 500-bed expansion including neurosurgery and neuroimaging.
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The initiative tackles growing issues like social media addiction, stress, and cyberbullying noted in Economic Survey 2026, boosting Tele-MANAS digital counseling.
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Experts praise it for prioritizing mental health, improving access without southern travel for northern patients.
This upgrade signals a policy shift, scaling expertise amid India's mental health crisis where prevalence of disorders demands urgent infrastructure. It promises better outcomes through specialized care, professional training, and research in psychiatry and neurosciences. District hospitals will see 50% more emergency capacity too. Implementation eyes the coming fiscal year, potentially revolutionizing care equity.
Sources: Times Now News, New Indian Express, Telangana Today, Aaj Tak, NDTV, ANI News
