India Launches SAHI and BODH at AI Impact Summit 2026: National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Unveiled

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda introduces Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (SAHI) and Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH) to strengthen Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and responsible AI adoption

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched two major digital health initiatives — SAHI (Secure AI for Health Initiative) and BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI) — at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the launch marks a milestone in advancing the safe, ethical, and evidence-based deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India’s healthcare ecosystem.

Both initiatives represent a significant step in India’s journey toward building a robust, responsible, and globally competitive health AI ecosystem grounded in innovation, governance, digital infrastructure, and public trust.

India AI Impact Summit 2026: Policy Context

Speaking at the Summit, Minister Nadda emphasised that:

“AI does not operate in isolation, but thrives on strong digital infrastructure and high-quality data.”

He recalled that the National Health Policy, 2017 envisioned a comprehensive digital health ecosystem that would be:

• Interoperable

• Inclusive

• Scalable

Building on that foundation, the government launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in 2020, creating a robust digital public architecture for healthcare.

The launch of SAHI and BODH builds directly upon this digital infrastructure.

What is SAHI? India’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

A Governance Framework and National Roadmap

SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) is the national framework designed to guide the responsible integration of AI into India’s health system.

It is not merely a technology strategy. It functions as:

• A governance framework

• A policy compass

• A national roadmap for responsible AI use in healthcare

Vision of SAHI

The core vision of SAHI is:

To enable the safe, ethical, evidence-based, and inclusive adoption of AI across India’s healthcare system.

SAHI aims to:

• Leverage digital public infrastructure

• Expand access to quality healthcare

• Improve patient outcomes

• Provide shared principles and strategic direction to ecosystem stakeholders

• Position India as a global leader in responsible healthcare AI

Five Strategic Pillars of SAHI

SAHI is structured around five strategic pillars:

1. Establishing Governance and Safety Foundations

Developing regulatory frameworks and safety mechanisms to ensure ethical and accountable AI deployment.

2. Strengthening Data and Digital Infrastructure

Enhancing interoperable, scalable, and secure digital health systems that support AI integration.

3. Building Workforce and Institutional Capacity

Training healthcare professionals and strengthening institutional readiness for AI adoption.

4. Enabling Responsible Innovation and Evidence Generation

Encouraging AI innovation supported by rigorous evaluation, clinical validation, and real-world testing.

5. Supporting Ecosystem-Level Adoption and Scale

Facilitating large-scale deployment of validated AI solutions across India’s healthcare system.

What is BODH? Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI

Developed by IIT Kanpur in Collaboration with NHA

BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI) is a privacy-preserving benchmarking platform developed by:

• IIT Kanpur

• In collaboration with the National Health Authority (NHA)

Purpose of BODH

BODH enables:

• Rigorous evaluation of AI models

• Testing against diverse, real-world health datasets

• Performance validation without sharing underlying sensitive data

It provides a structured mechanism to test and validate AI solutions before large-scale deployment.

BODH has been positioned as a digital public good under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

Why Rigorous Evaluation Matters

Minister Nadda stressed that:

“AI solutions must be rigorously evaluated for performance, reliability, and real-world readiness.”

SAHI provides the governance and strategic oversight.BODH provides the validation and benchmarking infrastructure.

Together, they ensure AI deployment in healthcare is:

• Ethical

• Transparent

• Accountable

• People-centric

Other Major Initiatives Supporting AI in Healthcare

Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence

India has established leading institutions to develop indigenous AI solutions:

• AIIMS Delhi

• PGIMER Chandigarh

• AIIMS Rishikesh

These Centres of Excellence contribute to research, innovation, and AI-driven clinical applications.

Ethical Oversight: ICMR Guidelines 2023

All AI deployment in healthcare follows the ICMR Ethical Guidelines (2023), ensuring responsible development and implementation of AI technologies.

IndiaAI Application Development Initiative

Under the broader IndiaAI Mission, the Application Development Initiative aims to:

• Develop impactful AI solutions

• Scale innovations nationally

• Promote adoption across critical sectors

• Address significant national challenges

Governance + Infrastructure + Innovation: India’s Three-Layer Health AI Model

India’s health AI strategy now rests on three key layers:

1. Policy and Governance Layer – SAHI

2. Technical Validation Layer – BODH

3. Digital Infrastructure Layer – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

This integrated approach aligns with:

• National Health Policy 2017

• ABDM 2020

• IndiaAI Mission

• ICMR Ethical Framework 2023

Building a Globally Competitive Health AI Ecosystem

According to the Ministry:

“Together, SAHI and BODH represent India’s commitment to building a trustworthy, inclusive, and globally competitive health AI ecosystem grounded in innovation, responsibility, and public trust.”

The initiatives signal a shift from experimental AI use toward structured, scalable, and accountable integration across India’s healthcare system.

Why SAHI and BODH Mark a Turning Point for AI in Healthcare India

The launch of SAHI and BODH at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 marks a decisive moment in India’s digital health transformation.

With:

• A national AI governance framework (SAHI)

• A privacy-preserving benchmarking platform (BODH)

• Strong digital infrastructure (ABDM)

• Ethical oversight (ICMR 2023)

• Institutional AI capacity (AIIMS, PGIMER)

• IndiaAI Mission support

India is positioning itself as a global leader in responsible Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.

The next phase will depend on:

• Effective implementation

• Institutional adoption

• Interoperability

• Workforce capacity building

• Public trust

But with SAHI and BODH now formally launched, India’s roadmap for responsible, scalable, and inclusive health AI is clearly defined.

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