India has a growing population of over 1.4 billion, and for such a big population, there is a need for a strong healthcare system. Thankfully, the country has one of the largest and diverse healthcare systems in the world, with a huge number of hospitals in India. This healthcare system covers everything from government-run institutions in remote rural areas to private hospitals in metros.

In this blog, we will learn about the total number of hospitals in India, how many private hospitals in India, and the public vs private hospitals insights. 

Total Number of Hospitals in India

Total Number Of Hospitals In India

As of the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of hospitals in India is around 70,000. This includes both public and private healthcare institutions. 

Government Hospitals

As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s 2018 report, there are:

      • 23,582 government hospitals

      • 29,899 Primary Health Centres (PHCs)

      • 5,568 Community Health Centres (CHCs)

      • 1,255 Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs)

      • 1,003 District Hospitals (DHs)

    Over the years, this number has increased due to increasing health awareness, population rise, and government initiatives to improve rural healthcare. As of 2025, there are approximately 26,000 government hospitals in India.

    Private Hospitals

    On the other side, India has a strong private healthcare sector. According to the WHO Global Health Observatory, there are 43,486 private hospitals across the country.

    This wide network of hospitals plays an important role in providing access to treatment across both urban and rural regions of the country.

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    How Many Private Hospitals in India?

    India’s private healthcare sector is among the largest in the world. Currently, there are 43,486 private hospitals in India. These hospitals form a major part of the country’s healthcare system, especially in urban areas.

    The private sector contributes significantly to India’s healthcare capacity:

        • 1.18 million beds

        • 59,264 ICUs

        • 29,631 ventilators

      In terms of overall healthcare infrastructure, private hospitals account for nearly 62% of all facilities in India.

      Out of 35 Indian states and Union Territories (excluding Ladakh), 15 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, have more private hospitals, beds, ICUs, and ventilators than public healthcare. These 15 states represent about 74% of India’s population, and in these regions, private infrastructure makes up around 69–70% of the total healthcare setup.

      Public vs Private Hospitals

      India’s healthcare system is largely a mix of public and private sectors. Here’s how they compare:

      Feature Public Hospitals  Private Hospitals
      Cost Free or low Private hospitals in India are often expensive
      Reach Covers both rural and urban areas They are mostly urban-focused
      Facilities Usually basic to moderate, but some best government hospitals provide specialized treatments Covers both basic and advanced treatments 
      Access Time Usually, longer wait times Often quick services

      While public hospitals serve a huge portion of the rural population, they often face shortages of staff, infrastructure, and resources. On the other hand, private hospitals provide better services but are not always accessible to lower-income groups.

      The government continues to support schemes like Ayushman Bharat and PMJAY to bridge the gap by partnering with private hospitals to offer free or subsidized treatment for eligible citizens.

      Conclusion

      To summarize, the number of hospitals in India stands around 70,000. If you ask how many private hospitals in India are out of this total number, then it is more than 43,000. This clearly shows how much India depends on the private healthcare sector, especially in cities and towns. At the same time, public hospitals play a critical role in offering accessible care to rural and underserved populations. With ongoing policy initiatives and increased healthcare spending, the total number of hospitals in India is steadily growing. 

      FAQs

      1. What is the total number of hospitals in India?

      India has around 70,000 hospitals, combining both public and private facilities.

      2. How many private hospitals are there in India?

      There are approximately 43,486 private hospitals across India. These are mainly located in urban areas.

      3. Which state has the highest number of hospitals?

      States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka lead in hospital count due to strong infrastructure and healthcare investment.