Caregiver Training Scheme (1.5 Lakh Caregivers): What We Know So Far

Last updated: October 9, 2026. This page explains an announcement from the Union Budget 2026-27. It is not an official government website and does not take applications. Details can change, so confirm with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NSDC or your nearest training centre.

Introduction: What Is the Caregiver Training Announcement?

In the Union Budget 2026-27, presented on 1 February 2026, the Finance Minister announced that 1.5 lakh caregivers will be trained in the coming year. The training is meant to build a care ecosystem covering geriatric (elderly) and allied care services, as India’s population ages and demand for long-term care grows.

Because it is a recent announcement, many practical details are still unclear. This guide explains what was announced, what is not yet known, who could benefit, and how to find caregiver courses today through existing skill programs.

Quick Answer

What was announced: NSQF-aligned programs to train multiskilled caregivers, with 1.5 lakh caregivers to be trained in the coming year.
Skills covered: core caregiving plus allied skills such as wellness, yoga and operating medical and assistive devices.
Who benefits: people who want care jobs, families who need trained caregivers, and older adults.
Application process: no single national application portal for this announcement was found in the sources reviewed.
What to do now: look for existing caregiver courses through NSDC, Skill India and PMKVY training centres, and verify any institute before paying.

What Was Announced

Item	Details	Source type
Number of caregivers	1.5 lakh to be trained in the coming year	Budget speech
Type of training	NSQF-aligned programs for multiskilled caregivers	Budget speech
Skills	Core care plus allied skills such as wellness, yoga and operating medical and assistive devices	Budget speech
Goal	A strong care ecosystem covering geriatric and allied care services	Budget speech
Nodal discussion	MSDE and the Health Ministry held a post-Budget webinar in March 2026 on skilling multiskilled caregivers	Government press release
Related announcement	Allied health professional institutions to be upgraded, with about 1 lakh additional allied health professionals over five years	Budget coverage

Government statements describe the plan as moving informal care workers into a structured National Caregiver Ecosystem, with recognized training, standard qualifications and career paths, especially for women.

What Is Not Yet Clear

Question	What we know
Who is eligible?	Not specified in the sources reviewed. Existing courses have their own age and education requirements.
Is training free?	Not stated for this announcement. Some government-backed short-term training programs are free for eligible candidates; check your center.
How do I apply?	No single national portal for this specific announcement was found. Use Skill India and NSDC channels or your nearest center.
How long are the courses?	Varies by job role and training provider.
Will there be a stipend or job placement?	Not announced in the sources reviewed.
Which states and centers will run it?	Not published in the sources reviewed.

Who Could Benefit

Women and youth looking for care-sector jobs, which government statements highlight.
Informal caregivers such as home attendants who want a recognized certificate.
Nursing and health graduates who want to specialize in elderly or home care.
Families who need trained caregivers for older relatives or people with disabilities.
Older adults who need more reliable, trained support at home.

Caregiver Job Roles You May See in Existing Programs

These roles already exist in India’s skilling system. Names and course details vary by sector skill council and provider.

Role	What the person does	Where they may work
Home Health Aide	Helps with daily activities, hygiene, basic monitoring and comfort at home	Private homes, home-care agencies
Geriatric Caregiver	Supports older adults with mobility, medication reminders and companionship	Homes, old-age homes, assisted living
General Duty Assistant	Assists nurses and patients with basic hospital tasks	Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes
Patient care assistant	Helps patients with movement, feeding and basic needs	Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
Assistive device operator	Helps people use equipment such as wheelchairs and hearing aids	Rehabilitation and care centers

How to Find a Caregiver Course Today

Check the Skill India Digital portal. Search for health-care courses such as Home Health Aide or General Duty Assistant at Skill India Digital.
Look at NSDC training partners. NSDC lists approved training providers on nsdcindia.org.
Ask about PMKVY centers near you, and check whether the course is free for eligible candidates.
Check the course is NSQF-aligned and that you receive a recognized certificate after assessment.
Visit the center before paying anything. Ask about trainers, practical hours, assessment and placement support.
Check with local hospitals and care agencies about the certificates they prefer.

Questions to Ask Before You Enroll

Question	Why it matters
Is the course approved and NSQF-aligned?	Recognized certificates are accepted by employers
How many hours are practical training?	Care work needs hands-on practice
Is the fee refundable, and what does it include?	Avoid hidden costs
Do you provide placement or internship support?	Helps you find work after training
Who awards the final certificate?	It should be an approved body, not only the institute

Skills a Multiskilled Caregiver Learns

Skill area	Examples
Personal care	Bathing, grooming, feeding, toileting support
Mobility and safety	Safe lifting and transfers, fall prevention
Basic health support	Checking temperature and pulse, reminding about medication
Wellness	Gentle exercise, yoga guidance and nutrition support
Assistive devices	Using and caring for wheelchairs, walkers and hearing aids
Communication and dignity	Respectful communication, emotional support, privacy
Emergency basics	Recognizing danger signs and calling for help

Caregivers also work with people who use assistive devices. You can read about the Budget’s other disability-focused announcement in our guide to Divyang Sahara Yojana.

Why This Announcement Matters

Ageing population: India has a growing number of older adults who need long-term care.
Care workforce gap: government statements point to shortages of trained care workers in India and abroad.
Recognition: training and certificates can give care workers better standing and pay prospects.
Jobs for women: care work is a major source of employment for women.

Possible Challenges

Quality: training must include real practice, not just classroom lessons.
Pay and working conditions: certificates help, but wages and protections also matter.
Reach: courses must be available in smaller towns and rural areas.
Awareness: many people may not know the program exists.
Follow-through: details such as eligibility and funding are still awaited.

Beware of Fake Offers

Do not pay anyone who claims to guarantee a government caregiver job or a place in this scheme.
Check that the institute is listed on official portals.
Never share your OTP, Aadhaar details or bank information with callers.
Look for gov.in, nic.in or nsdcindia.org in the website address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a caregiver training scheme application form?

In the sources reviewed, no single national application form for this announcement was published. Use existing channels such as Skill India Digital and NSDC training partners.

Is the 1.5 lakh caregivers training free?

This has not been clarified. Some government-supported programs are free for eligible candidates, so ask the center.

Who can join caregiver training?

Requirements differ by course. Many caregiver courses ask for a minimum education level and age. Check with the training provider.

Will trained caregivers get jobs?

Training improves employability, but jobs are not guaranteed. Ask whether the center supports placement.

Is this the same as the allied health professionals program?

No. The Budget announced both. Caregivers get short, multiskilled training, while the allied health program upgrades institutions to train professionals in fields such as optometry and radiology.

Update Log

Date	Update
October 9, 2026	First version based on Budget 2026-27 announcements and government statements