Most people pick their health insurance sum insured the same way they pick a number for any uncertain future cost ,they estimate, add a buffer, and hope it is enough. In 2026, with Indian private hospital costs rising at 13–14% annually according to insurer and employer surveys, a cover that felt comfortable three years ago may now be inadequate.
Start With Your City
Healthcare costs in India vary dramatically by location. A one-night ICU admission at a tier-1 private hospital in Mumbai or Bangalore can cost ₹25,000 to ₹40,000 per day, not counting surgeon fees, diagnostics, or medicines. In tier-2 cities, the same admission might cost ₹10,000 to ₹20,000. Where you live is the most important starting point for your calculation.
The ₹5 Lakh Standard Is No Longer Enough
A ₹5 lakh individual cover was considered reasonable five years ago. Today, for a metro family, it barely covers a single serious illness. Cardiac bypass surgery at a leading private hospital routinely costs ₹3.5 to ₹6 lakh. Cancer treatment even a six-month chemotherapy cycle can run to ₹10–25 lakh. A ₹5 lakh cover handles the ordinary. It does not handle catastrophic events.
What Advisors Recommend in 2026
Single individual in a metro: ₹10 to ₹15 lakh minimum. Family of four in a metro: ₹20 to ₹25 lakh, either through a large family floater or a combination of individual policies. For seniors above 60: separate senior citizen policies are generally more cost-effective than adding them to a family floater and IRDAI has now capped annual premium hikes for senior plans at 10%, making them more predictable.
A top-up or super top-up plan is a cost-effective way to increase your effective cover. These plans activate above a threshold (the deductible) and provide additional cover at significantly lower premiums than buying a high-sum base policy.
Factor In Your Employer Cover
Most salaried employees have group health cover from their employer typically ₹3 to ₹5 lakh. It is convenient but lapses the moment you leave the job. Never rely entirely on employer cover for your family’s healthcare security. Supplement it with an individual policy you own and control regardless of where you work.
Review Every 3–5 Years
Medical cost inflation means a policy that was adequate in 2022 may cover only 60–70% of the same treatment today. Review your sum insured at every major life change — new job, new loan, a new child, ageing parents becoming dependents and increase your cover accordingly.
Draco Insurance compares plans from 15+ insurers and helps you find the right sum insured for your city, family, and budget. Visit dracoinsurance.in or call +91 7064106417.
“Even if we do not talk about 5G (specifically), the security talent in general in the country is very sparse at the moment. We need to get more (security) professionals in the system”
Bharti Airtel, for example, has been preparing for 5G roll out by upskilling its professionals and offering them certification courses such as CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional). The courses are offered based on skill and eligibility level free of cost.
