Dr. Jothi Neeraja, Founder & Managing Director, People Tree Hospitals and Maarga Mind Care said, “In the Union Budget 2025–26, overall healthcare received a significantly higher allocation of approx. 10% as compared to the previous year, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the health sector. Within this, direct mental health spending under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare was around ₹1,004 crore, making it just 1 % of the health budget, with major support for institutions such as NIMHANS Bengaluru, the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, and the National Tele-Mental Health Programme.

While these allocations represent an important step and demonstrate growing recognition of mental health, the proportion remains small relative to the overall scale of need. For the upcoming Union Budget 2026, we hope to see greater and more sustained investment in mental health services for raising awareness and promoting the importance of mental health, in community programmes, early intervention, workforce training, and stronger healthcare infrastructure across urban and rural India. Continued emphasis on digital and tele-health services, integrated care pathways, and equitable access for all will play a crucial role in translating policy intent into real impact for individuals and families living with mental health conditions.”

About Maarga Mind Care

Headquartered in Bengaluru, Maarga Mind Care is a pioneering mental health institution dedicated to bridging India’s mental health treatment gap through compassionate, evidence-based, and inclusive care. Founded by Dr. Jothi Neeraja, also the Founder, Chairperson & Managing Director of People Tree Hospitals, and Maarga Mind Care offers holistic, end-to-end mental healthcare through its “C2R+ - Crisis to Recovery and beyond” model. Maarga’s services include inpatient admissions, 24/7 mental health emergencies, and retrievals & out-patient services.

Child and Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric psychiatry, de-addiction and rehabilitation, neuromodulation treatments (TMS and Ketamine therapy), counseling and psychometric assessments, along with art, music, dance, yoga and drama therapies are offered. Led by Dr. Jothi Neeraja, Dr. Abhishek Kandluri and Dr. Girishchandra, Maarga Mind Care aims to expand from a 40-bed center in Bengaluru to 25 centers with 1000+beds by 2030.