Advancing India’s Mental Healthcare and Well-Being

• Mental healthcare in India is governed by the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, delivered through the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP, 1982) and its sub-component District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), and anchored institutionally by NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
• Union Budget 2026-27 marks a pivot to institutional expansion + regional equity: NIMHANS-2 in North India, Apex upgrades at Ranchi & Tezpur, and Emergency & Trauma Care Centres at district hospitals.
• Examined as a public-health, rights, fiscal-federalism, and digital-governance theme — high yield for both GS-II (health, vulnerable sections) and GS-III (S&T, digital infra).