Total number of health workers by broad categories as of 1 January 2016
| Health worker category | Estimates based on NSSO as of 1 January 2016 | Registered, 2015* | % of estimated to registered |
| Allopathic doctor | 770 277 | 936 488 | 82.25 |
| Dental practice | 95 959 | 154 436 | 62.14 |
| AYUSH | 530 919 | 744 563 | 71.31 |
| Physiotherapy, diagnostic and others | 86 508 | 60 000 | 144.18 |
| Nursing and midwife | 1 317 669 | 1 673 338 | 78.74 |
| Pharmacist | 214 744 | 664 176 | 32.33 |
| Health associate professional† | 811 744 | NA | NA |
| ANM | NA | 789 740 | NA |
| All | 3 827 820 | 5 022 741 | 76.21 |
Sources: column 2: authors’ estimates using unit-level data of the NSSO 2011–2012; column 3: CBHI 2017.18
*Registered with MCI/INC, Association and MoHFW records.
†Includes health assistants, sanitarians, dietitians and nutritionist, optometrists and opticians, dental assistants, physiotherapy associates, pharmacist assistants, and so on.
ANM, auxiliary nurses and midwives; AYUSH, indigenous Indian system of medicine comprising Ayurvedic, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy; CBHI, Central Bureau of Health Intelligence; INC, Indian Nursing Council; MCI, Medical Council of India; MoHFW, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; NA, not available; NSSO, National Sample Survey Organisation.