In a landmark move to prepare India’s medical workforce for an AI-augmented future, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a dedicated nationwide online training programme focused on artificial intelligence in healthcare. The initiative, officially rolled out on January 23, 2026, targets 50,000 doctors in its inaugural year and is designed to build foundational and applied AI literacy among clinicians working in public hospitals, private facilities, medical colleges, and community health settings.

Developed in collaboration with leading institutions including AIIMS, IITs, ICMR, and industry partners the programme is hosted on the Ministry’s e-learning portal and offered free of charge to all registered medical practitioners. The curriculum is modular and self-paced, allowing doctors to complete it alongside clinical duties. Core modules cover AI basics (machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing), applications in medical imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound), clinical decision support systems, predictive analytics for early warning and risk stratification, AI in telemedicine and remote monitoring, and ethical, legal, and regulatory dimensions including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, algorithmic bias, transparency, and patient safety.

Interactive elements include real world case studies (TB screening, diabetic retinopathy detection, sepsis prediction), simulations of AI-assisted workflows, and quizzes with immediate feedback. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate jointly issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and partner academic bodies, recognised for continuing medical education (CME) credits.

The programme is available in English and Hindi, with plans to add regional languages in subsequent phases. It is open to doctors from government, private, and teaching institutions, with special outreach to rural practitioners through integration with state health directorates and medical councils.

Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra emphasised the urgency of the initiative: “AI is already transforming diagnostics, treatment planning, and health system efficiency. Our doctors must be equipped not just to use these tools, but to understand them deeply, question them critically, and deploy them ethically. This programme is the first step toward building an AI-ready medical workforce that can deliver safer, faster, and more equitable care to every Indian.”

The training aligns with the IndiaAI Mission’s emphasis on skilling and capacity building, as well as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’s focus on technology enabled healthcare delivery. The Ministry has set an ambitious target of training 50,000 doctors in the first year, with continuous updates to incorporate emerging AI advancements and real world feedback from participants.

Early registration has been strong, with thousands of doctors enrolling within days of launch. The programme is expected to create a critical mass of AI-literate clinicians who can champion adoption, mentor peers, and lead innovation at the institutional and community levels.