India currently has 47 government-run mental hospitals, including three central institutions National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, and Central Institute of Psychiatry.
Mental healthcare delivery is largely structured through the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). Its District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component has been sanctioned in 767 districts. Services at district and primary levels include outpatient care, counselling, psychosocial interventions, medicines, follow-up support, and outreach. A 10-bed inpatient facility is provisioned at the district level.
Mental health services are also being integrated into primary healthcare under Ayushman Bharat. Over 1.77 lakh Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, where services for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders are included. Training materials and operational guidelines have been issued for healthcare workers.
At the tertiary level, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to expand postgraduate training and treatment capacity. Support has also been provided to 19 government medical colleges to strengthen 47 postgraduate departments in mental health specialties. Mental health services are available across the All India Institute of Medical Sciences system.
The government launched the National Tele Mental Health Programme in October 2022 to provide remote counselling services. Under this, Tele-MANAS operates through a 24×7 helpline (14416). As of March 2026, 53 Tele-MANAS cells are operational across 36 States and Union Territories, offering services in 20 languages and handling over 34 lakh calls. A mobile application and video consultation facility have also been added.
Studies indicate that India continues to have a high treatment gap for mental health conditions, often estimated at 70-80%, linked to limited specialist availability and uneven access to services.
The information was provided by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pratap Rao Jadhav in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on March 30, 2026.