India Eyes Global Leadership in Skilled & Affordable Caregiving

India has the potential to become a global hub for affordable and skilled caregiving by developing a well-trained workforce to meet growing domestic and international demand, according to a recent NITI Aayog report. The report places caregivers at the heart of the care ecosystem and emphasises the need to recognise caregiving as a skilled and dignified profession. It highlights improving care quality, strengthening professional recognition, ensuring workforce welfare and expanding access to reliable and affordable care services. A structured and future-ready caregiving ecosystem could also create employment opportunities, generate economic value and build on India's long-standing culture of compassionate care. The report recommends several policy measures, including the introduction of a National Policy on Caregiving and the creation of a National Caregiver Council to improve institutional coordination, workforce development and professional recognition. It also calls for greater emphasis on social security, family- and community-based care, international cooperation and institutional support for both professional and family caregivers. These measures could promote social inclusion, create quality employment opportunities, improve access to care and help establish India as a global centre for skilled caregiving, supporting the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.