Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, and Narayana Health. These are the major hospital chains across cities and towns throughout India.
A hospital chain is a group of hospitals that operate under the same management. They try to maintain similar treatment standards, share equipment, and follow consistent protocols, though in practice, the quality can vary between locations.
In this guide, I’ll cover India’s leading hospital chains, what each one offers, and where and how they’re working across the country
Top 10 Hospital Chains In India
I’ve ranked these based on their number of hospitals, medical capabilities, quality certifications, patient volume, and recent growth. Here’s what I found:
Note: These rankings are based on facilities, number of hospitals, rankings on different websites, and a mix of personal opinions.
| No | Hospital Chain | Headquarters | Key Services | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apollo Hospitals | Chennai | Multi-specialty, Cardiology, Oncology | 70+ |
| 2 | Fortis Healthcare | Gurgaon | Multi-specialty, Neurosciences, Orthopedics | 33 |
| 3 | Max Healthcare | Delhi | Multi-specialty, Cardiac, Critical Care | 20 |
| 4 | Manipal Hospitals | Bangalore | Multi-specialty, Transplants, Urology | 38 |
| 5 | Narayana Health | Bangalore | Cardiac, Oncology, Pediatrics | 44 |
| 6 | BLK-Max Healthcare | Delhi | Oncology, Cardiology, Neurology | 12 |
| 7 | Medanta The Medicity | Gurgaon | Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology | 6+ |
| 8 | Aster DM Healthcare | Kochi | Multi-specialty, Gastroenterology | 19 |
| 9 | CARE Hospitals | Hyderabad | Multi-specialty, Cardiac Care | 17 |
| 10 | Columbia Asia Hospitals | Bangalore | Multi-specialty, Orthopedics, Cardiac Care | 11 |
These hospital groups are India’s major healthcare networks. They’ve managed to combine large-scale operations with specialized medical care, which isn’t easy.
1. Apollo Hospitals – 70+ Hospitals Across India
| Headquarters | Chennai |
| Key Specialties | Cardiology, Oncology, Multi-specialty |
| Accreditation | NABH, JCI |
| Established Year | 1983 |
| Network Coverage | Pan-India presence |
| International Tie-ups | Middle East, Southeast Asia |
Apollo is the oldest and largest private hospital chain in India. Founded by Prathap C Reddy in 1983, they now have over 70 hospitals spread across major cities and some smaller towns.
They’re particularly known for cancer treatment and cardiac care, and they also run diagnostic centers and pharmacies. The network has hospitals in different price ranges; some are quite expensive, while others are more affordable.
Apollo has expanded internationally to places like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Middle East, which brings in medical tourism revenue.
More Info: Apollo Hospitals
2. Fortis Healthcare – 33 Hospitals Across India
| Headquarters | Gurgaon |
| Key Specialties | Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Oncology |
| Accreditation | NABH, JCI |
| Established Year | 1996 |
| Network Coverage | Strong Northern and Western India presence |
| International Tie-ups | Singapore, UAE partnerships |
Fortis runs 33 hospitals and has built a reputation in brain and spine treatments, along with orthopedic care. They’re powerful in Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
They’ve tried to make complex procedures more accessible through payment plans, though costs can still be high. The quality varies between their different hospitals; some are excellent, while others are more basic.
More info: Fortis Healthcare
3. Max Healthcare – 20+ Hospitals Across India
| Headquarters | Delhi |
| Key Specialties | Cardiac Sciences, Critical Care, Oncology |
| Accreditation | NABH, JCI, NABL |
| Established Year | 1985 |
| Network Coverage | Concentrated in NCR and Punjab |
| International Tie-ups | Research collaborations globally |
Max operates a smaller network of 20+ hospitals, mostly in Delhi-NCR and Punjab. Instead of rapid expansion, they’ve focused on maintaining standards in their existing locations.
Their main strength is cardiac care and emergency services. The flagship hospitals in Delhi are well-equipped, but you’ll pay premium prices. They attract patients from North India and some neighboring countries.
More info: Max Healthcare
4. Manipal Hospitals – 38+ Hospitals Across India
| Headquarters | Bangalore |
| Key Specialties | Organ Transplants, Urology, Multi-specialty |
| Accreditation | NABH, GEDA |
| Established Year | 1991 |
| Network Coverage | Balanced national presence |
| International Tie-ups | Expanding in Africa, Malaysia |
Manipal has been around for over 70 years and operates 29+ hospitals across India. They’ve developed some solid organ transplant programs and have good expertise in kidney-related treatments.
The network serves both big cities and smaller towns, which helps with accessibility. They’re expanding internationally, though the focus seems to be on building their brand rather than just patient care.
More info: Manipal Hospitals
5. Narayana Health – 44 Hospitals Across India
| Headquarters | Bangalore |
| Key Specialties | Cardiac Sciences, Pediatrics, Oncology |
| Accreditation | NABH, JCI |
| Established Year | 2000 |
| Network Coverage | Strong presence in Eastern and Southern India |
| International Tie-ups | Operations in the Cayman Islands, Bangladesh |
Narayana Health, founded by cardiac surgeon Dr. Devi Shetty, runs 45+ hospitals with a focus on making healthcare more affordable. Their model tries to keep costs lower through efficient operations.
They’ve done a lot of pediatric cardiac work and have brought private healthcare to eastern states that didn’t have many options before. The affordability claim is relative, though it’s still expensive for many families.
More info: Narayana Health
6. BLK-Max Healthcare – 12 Hospitals In Delhi
| Headquarters | Delhi |
| Key Specialties | Oncology, Cardiology, Neurology |
| Accreditation | NABH, JCI, NABL |
| Established Year | 1930 (BLK), merger 2020 |
| Network Coverage | 7+ in NCR |
| International Tie-ups | Cancer research alliances |
BLK-Max, a part of Max Healthcare, has a small network of 7+ hospitals, mainly in Delhi-NCR. They focus on super-specialty treatments rather than expanding everywhere.
The merger combined an older hospital (BLK) with newer management approaches. They handle complex cases, but given the limited locations, most people won’t have easy access to their services.
More info: BLK-Max Hospital
7. Medanta The Medicity – 6+ Hospitals Across India
| Headquarters | Gurgaon |
| Key Specialties | Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology |
| Accreditation | NABH, JCI |
| Established Year | 2009 |
| Network Coverage | 6+ across North India |
| International Tie-ups | Global research links |
Founded by cardiac surgeon Dr. Naresh Trehan, Medanta operates 6+ hospitals with their main facility being the large “Medicity” complex in Gurgaon.
They focus on advanced procedures and have good international connections for research. However, the costs are quite high, and with limited locations, accessibility is an issue for most patients.
More info: Medanta
8. Aster DM Healthcare – 19 Hospitals Across India
| Headquarters | Kochi |
| Key Specialties | Gastroenterology, Multi-specialty |
| Accreditation | NABH, JCI |
| Established Year | 1987 |
| Network Coverage | 19 across South India |
| International Tie-ups | Strong GCC presence |
Aster operates 19 hospitals in India, primarily in Kerala and Karnataka. Their main facility, Aster Medcity, is known for liver treatments and gastroenterology.
What’s notable is their presence in Gulf countries, where they run hospitals in the UAE, Oman, and Qatar. This creates opportunities for Indians working in the Gulf, though it also means their focus is split between multiple countries.
More info: Aster DM Healthcare
9. CARE Hospitals – 17 Hospitals Across India
| Headquarters | Hyderabad |
| Key Specialties | Cardiac Care, Multi-specialty |
| Accreditation | NABH |
| Established Year | 1997 |
| Network Coverage | 17 hospitals in South, East, Central India |
| International Tie-ups | Medical tourism services |
CARE operates 17 hospitals with a focus on cardiac care. Based in Hyderabad, they’ve expanded to places like Odisha and Chhattisgarh where there weren’t many private hospital options.
They position themselves as more affordable than some other chains, which has helped them in smaller cities. However, “affordable” is still relative in private healthcare.
More info: CARE Hospitals
10. Columbia Asia Hospitals – 11 Hospitals Across India
| Headquarters | Bangalore |
| Key Specialties | Multi-specialty, Orthopedics, ICU, Cardiac Care, General Surgery |
| Accreditation | NABH, JCI (selected units) |
| Established Year | 2005 |
| Network Coverage | 11 hospitals in major metros |
| International Tie-ups | Part of international Columbia Asia Group; patient services across Asia |
Columbia Asia runs 11 hospitals across major cities, focusing on efficiency and standardized care. They’re part of a larger Asian hospital group.
Their approach is more corporate and standardized compared to some Indian chains. The quality is generally consistent, though some patients find the experience less personalized.
More info: Columbia Asia Hospital India | Chain of Hospitals in India
Top 10 Government Hospitals In India
Government hospitals remain crucial for affordable healthcare, though they often face resource constraints and overcrowding:
| No | Hospital Name | Location | Key Specialties | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AIIMS, Delhi | New Delhi | Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology | NABH, JCI |
| 2 | PGIMER | Chandigarh | Multi-specialty | NABH |
| 3 | CMC | Vellore | Multi-specialty | NABH |
| 4 | JIPMER | Puducherry | Multi-specialty | NABH |
| 5 | Safdarjung Hospital | New Delhi | Multi-specialty | NABH |
| 6 | KGMU | Lucknow | Multi-specialty | NABH |
| 7 | SGPGIMS | Lucknow | Nephrology, Cardiology | NABH |
| 8 | Tata Memorial Hospital | Mumbai | Oncology | NABH |
| 9 | NIMS | Hyderabad | Multi-specialty | NABH |
| 10 | GMCH | Chandigarh | Multi-specialty | NABH |
These government hospitals provide essential healthcare services and often have excellent doctors, but patients frequently face long waiting times and overcrowded facilities.
Top 10 Private Hospitals In India
Here are some of the leading private hospitals that attract both domestic and international patients:
| No | Hospital Name | Location | Key Specialties | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apollo Hospitals, Chennai | Chennai | Cardiology, Oncology | NABH, JCI |
| 2 | Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon | Gurgaon | Cardio, Neuro, Cancer | NABH, JCI |
| 3 | Fortis Memorial Research Institute | Gurgaon | Nephro, Neuro, Oncology | NABH, JCI |
| 4 | CMC, Vellore | Vellore | Multi-specialty | NABH |
| 5 | Narayana Health, Bangalore | Bangalore | Cardio, Oncology, Pediatrics | JCI |
| 6 | Max Super Speciality, Saket | Delhi | Cardiac, Critical Care | NABH, JCI |
| 7 | Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore | Bangalore | Transplants, Urology | JCI |
| 8 | Aster Medcity, Kochi | Kochi | Gastro, Cardio | NABH, JCI |
| 9 | Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon | Gurgaon | Oncology, Cardiac Care | JCI |
| 10 | Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital | Mumbai | Neurology, Oncology, Cardiology | JCI |
These hospitals generally offer good facilities and attract medical tourists, though costs can be quite high.
Hospital Accreditation and Quality Standards in India
Understanding hospital accreditations can help you make better choices about where to get treatment:
1. NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals) is India’s main quality certification system. It focuses on patient safety and care protocols.
However, having NABH accreditation doesn’t guarantee excellent care – it just means the hospital meets certain basic standards.
2. JCI (Joint Commission International) is a global accreditation that’s generally considered more stringent.
JCI-accredited hospitals typically maintain higher standards, but they’re also usually more expensive.
3. ISO certifications cover management and operational processes. They’re useful but don’t directly relate to medical quality.
While accreditations are helpful indicators, they don’t tell the whole story. You should also consider factors like the specific doctors, location, costs, and patient reviews.
Conclusion: Apollo Hospitals is India’s Leading Hospital Chain
Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, and Narayana Health are also significant players, each with their own strengths and limitations.
Columbia Asia Hospitals do not originate in India but serve a long chain. The quality can vary significantly between different hospitals in the same chain, so it’s worth researching specific locations.
If you need routine care or complex treatment, these chains offer options across different price points and locations, and government hospitals remain important for affordable healthcare access.
FAQs
Apollo Hospitals is India’s largest private hospital chain with over 70 hospitals across the country.
AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, Siriraj Hospital Bangkok, and National University Hospital Singapore.
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai is among India’s most expensive private hospitals.
Mayo Clinic in the United States is globally recognized as the world’s top-ranked hospital.
Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are India’s smallest hospitals, typically with 10-20 beds serving rural communities.
