NRIs Rush to India for Affordable Care, Medical Tourism Soars 150% in FY 2024-25

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are flocking to India for top-tier medical care at budget-friendly prices, with a striking 150% year-on-year rise in NRI patients during Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 (April 2024–March 2025) compared to FY 2023-24, as reported by Policybazaar on July 28, 2025. This surge cements India’s status as a leading destination for medical tourism, fueled by cutting-edge facilities, expert doctors, and unparalleled cost savings compared to Western nations and Gulf countries.

Policybazaar’s July 2025 findings reveal that India’s affordability is a major draw. A heart bypass surgery, costing $5,000–$8,000 in India, contrasts sharply with $70,000–$150,000 in the United States. Knee replacement surgeries, priced at $4,000–$6,000 in India, compared to $30,000–$50,000 in the U.S. Liver transplants, ranging from $25,000–$35,000 in India, can hit $300,000–$500,000 in the U.S. Elective procedures see NRI claims averaging $2,000–$15,000, while complex surgeries range from $20,000–$40,000, offering substantial savings over global rates.

Health insurance costs further boost India’s appeal. Annual premiums in India, averaging $120–$300 per person in FY 2024-25, pale in comparison to $8,000 in the U.S. or $4,000–$5,000 in GCC nations. This gap has sparked a surge in NRIs researching Indian insurance plans online for themselves and their loved ones, according to the Policybazaar data.

The patient demographic is evolving rapidly. Women NRIs saw a 125% increase, and those under 35 jumped by 148% in FY 2024-25 compared to the previous year, showing younger generations and women increasingly trust India’s healthcare system. This shift highlights confidence in the country’s medical advancements and accessibility.

Southern cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad lead as top choices for treatment, boasting state-of-the-art hospitals and specialized care. Meanwhile, urban centers like Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, and Thane are emerging as popular hubs, offering robust medical services and skilled professionals.

A 2023 global medical tourism ranking placed India among the top five destinations, praising its advanced technology, accredited hospitals, and multilingual staff. The Indian government’s Heal in India initiative, launched in 2022, has streamlined medical visas and promoted healthcare tourism, further enhancing accessibility as of 2025.

NRIs also value cultural connection, finding comfort in receiving treatment in their homeland while visiting family. Leading hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, and Max, accredited by international bodies like JCI in 2025, deliver world-class care in fields like cardiology, orthopedics, and oncology, matching global standards.

However, amid the celebrated rise of medical tourism in India, certain regions like Delhi-NCR—particularly Gurgaon—have come under scrutiny for shocking lapses in healthcare ethics and safety. In his book Doctor Death, senior lawyer Nishant Bharihoke exposes a series of alarming cases of medical malpractice in Gurgaon and Delhi, from surgeries conducted by unqualified personnel to patient deaths following incorrect treatments. Bharihoke terms Gurgaon not as a medical tourism hub, but a center of "medical terrorism", warning that while India offers world-class care in many hospitals, some institutions in NCR engage in deceptive and deadly practices under the guise of affordable treatment.

Such revelations serve as a critical reminder that while India’s healthcare sector continues to grow and attract global patients, regulatory vigilance and patient awareness remain essential, especially in urban pockets with a history of malpractice. You can check out the full original story exposing these incidents on Newsgram here.

The medical tourism sector in India is set to soar, with projections estimating a $13 billion market by 2026, per a 2024 industry analysis by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. As NRIs increasingly tap into India’s cost-effective, high-quality healthcare in 2025, the nation strengthens its position as a global healthcare powerhouse.

(Rh/Eth/Nikhil/MSM/SE)