Opening your own clinic is a proud moment for any doctor or healthcare professional. It’s more than just a business it’s a way to serve people, create your own space to practice medicine the way you want, and build a personal bond with your community. But before starting, a big question comes up:
“How much money will I need to open a clinic in India?”
Let’s explore what actually goes into setting up a clinic and how much you should expect to spend – whether you want to start small or go big.
9 steps to set clinic in india
1. Finding a Space:
- Rent or Buy : You need a place for your clinic. Renting a small space (100–300 sq. ft.) in a big city like Delhi might cost ₹20,000–₹1 lakh a month. In smaller towns, it’s more like ₹15,000–₹50,000. Buying a space could be depending on the area.
- Making It Look Nice : Making It Look Nice: You’ll need to spruce up the placethink flooring, paint, air conditioning, lights, and signs. AC and lighting might run ₹2–10 lakhs total, and paint plus signage could be ₹1–5 lakhs. You’ll also need furniture like chairs, a desk, and an exam table, which can cost ₹1–4 lakhs.
- Building Rules : If the building is tall you’ll need a fire safety certificate. If you’re renting, make sure the landlord has all the right permits.
2. Licenses and Paperwork:
- Doctor Registration : You need to sign up with the National Medical Commission or state council – costs about ₹1,000–₹10,000.
- Clinic License : You have to register your clinic under the Clinical Establishments Act, which is cheap, like ₹1,000–₹5,000.
- Other Permits : You’ll need a waste disposal license (₹5,000–₹20,000 a year). If you use narcotics, you need a special permit. GST registration is needed if you earn big (free to apply).
3. Medical Equipment:
- Basic Gear : Stuff like stethoscopes, BP monitors, and thermometers costs ₹10,000–₹30,000.
- Sterilization Tools : Things like autoclaves for cleaning tools add ₹50,000–₹10 lakhs.
4. Tech and Software:
- Patient Records : Keeping track of patient history, prescriptions, reports, and follow-ups is very important and doing it on paper is messy and outdated. That’s why most clinics now use Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. and Unlike other advanced EHR systems that can cost ₹1–9 lakhs, Healcard gives you these features at just ₹10,000- ₹25,000 per year, making it perfect for small or mid-sized clinics.
- Clinic Management Tools : Managing appointments, printing bills, and staying organized can be overwhelming – especially if you’re busy. Healthcare management software handles it all in one place. Which offers all-in-one features for as little as ₹15,000-₹30,000 per year.
5. Hiring People:
- Staff Salaries : You’ll likely need a nurse, receptionist, maybe a pharmacist or cleaner. In cities, each person might cost ₹15,000–₹50,000 a month.
- Admin : Someone to handle bills or taxes might add ₹15,000–₹30,000 a month.
6. Day-to-Day Expenses:
- Bills : Electricity, water, and internet might cost ₹10,000–₹30,000 a month.
- Marketing : To get patients in, you’ll need a website, social media, or flyers-figure ₹50,000–₹2 lakhs to start.
- Insurance : To cover any legal or business issues, budget ₹50,000–₹1 lakhs a year.
- Medicines : Stocking up on basic drugs could cost ₹50,000–₹2 lakhs upfront.
7. Total Cost:
- Small Clinic : Around ₹10–25 lakhs to get started. This covers a small rented space, basic gear, a few staff, and licenses.
- Medium Clinic : Think ₹25–50 lakhs, with better equipment and a bigger space.
- Specialized Clinic (Like Dental or Cardiology) : You’re looking at ₹50 lakhs to ₹2 crores because of expensive machines like dental chairs or X-ray systems.
8. How to Pay for It:
- Equipment Loans : You can get loans just for buying machines, which helps spread out the cost.
- Government Help : Schemes like Ayushman Bharat might chip in, especially in rural areas.
- Investors : You could team up with partners or investors to cover the startup costs.
9. Smart Ways to Save Money:
- Start Small: Begin with a basic clinic and grow later.
- Cheaper Location: Pick a smaller town or less pricey area to save on rent.
- Use Tech: Use affordable clinic software like Healcard to automate records, billing, and scheduling – cutting down on overheads.
- Lease Equipment: Rent machines instead of buying to save cash upfront.
Final Though:
Opening a clinic in India can cost anywhere from ₹5 lakhs to ₹50 lakhs or more, depending on where you are, how big you go, and what facilities you plan to offer.
But here’s the thing:
You don’t have to do everything at once.
Start small if needed. What truly matters is how well you care for your patients, how honestly you run your practice, and how deeply you build trust. Your clinic doesn’t have to be fancy or huge. It just needs to work well for you and your patients.
One of the easiest ways to make your clinic run smoothly from day one is to use a good digital tool like Healcard. It helps with patient records, appointments, billing, and reports, all in one place so you can focus on care.
