India performs more than 13,000 kidney transplants a year. Success rates at the leading centres run above 90%, and costs start around $12,500, well below what the same surgery costs in the US or UK. This guide covers five of the country’s top transplant hospitals, the legal requirements for foreign patients, what it costs, and how to get started.
What you need to know right now
India has quietly become one of the most sought-after destinations for kidney transplant surgery. The numbers back it up: 13,426 kidney transplants were performed in 2023 alone, with success rates exceeding 90% at the country’s leading centres. For international patients from the Middle East, Africa, the UK, and the US, the combination of world-class surgical expertise, JCI-accredited hospitals, robotic technology, and costs a fraction of what they’d pay at home makes kidney transplant in India a genuinely compelling option.
This guide covers the top 5 kidney transplant hospitals in India for international patients – with real data on transplant volumes, success rates, costs, and what to expect on the ground.
Confused about treatment options?
Get a free second opinion from our oncologists
The case for India is straightforward. Let’s put the numbers on the table.
A kidney transplant in the US costs between $150,000 and $300,000. In the UK, the NHS wait for a deceased donor kidney averages 2–3 years. In India, the same procedure at a top-ranked private hospital costs $12,500–$65,000, and patients with a living donor can be scheduled within weeks – not years.
The key reasons international patients choose India:
The best hospital in India for kidney transplant isn’t just cheaper – it’s genuinely competitive with the world’s leading centres.
Read this section carefully. India’s transplant laws are strict, and they apply to foreign nationals.
Under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 (THOTA), as updated and enforced by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), the following rules apply to international patients:
One additional rule that catches patients off guard: a foreign recipient cannot receive a kidney from an Indian donor unless they are near relatives. If you’re travelling without a donor and hoping to receive a deceased-donor organ, Indian nationals take priority on the waiting list.
Plan for the legal process. It adds time – typically 2–4 weeks – but the hospitals on this list have dedicated teams who manage it routinely.
Every hospital on this list was assessed against six criteria:
These are the criteria that actually predict outcomes and patient experience. Rankings and marketing claims were cross-referenced against verified data.
Medanta is the reference point for kidney transplant in India. With 3,000+ kidney transplants performed since 2009 and 250+ procedures annually, it runs one of the highest-volume programmes in the country – and volume, in transplant surgery, is a direct proxy for surgical precision and complication management.
The headline fact: Medanta performed the world’s first robotic kidney transplant under regional hypothermia, a technique pioneered by Dr. Rajesh Ahlawat that is now referenced in leading urology textbooks and adopted by transplant centres worldwide. That’s not a marketing claim – it’s a peer-reviewed surgical milestone.
For the 6th consecutive year, Medanta Gurugram has been ranked among the World’s Best Hospitals in Newsweek’s global rankings. In 2025, it earned the title of India’s #1 private hospital – the only Indian private hospital in the world’s top 150. The paediatric kidney transplant programme carries a 97% success rate.
International patients choose Medanta because it combines the highest surgical volume in India with the most advanced robotic transplant capability, all within 30 minutes of Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Transplant options: Living donor, deceased donor, ABO-incompatible, paediatric, re-transplants (2nd/3rd), and paired exchange transplants.
Standout fact: Medanta performed the world’s first robotic kidney transplant under regional hypothermia – a technique now followed by transplant centres globally.
Estimated cost: From USD 15,000
Manipal Hospitals has been performing kidney transplants for over 20 years, with 2,500+ transplants completed and 800,000+ renal patients treated across its network. Patients from 100+ countries have been treated here – which tells you something about the international patient infrastructure.
The paediatric programme is exceptional: 97% success rate in paediatric kidney transplants, matching the best outcomes globally. Manipal also performs ABO-incompatible transplants with targeted desensitisation and round-the-clock ICU support – a capability that matters for patients whose donor has a mismatched blood group.
The hospital uses Da Vinci robotic systems for donor nephrectomy and transplant procedures, and its surgical suites include HEPA-filtered wards specifically designed to minimise post-transplant infection risk. The dedicated international patient desk handles everything from pre-travel documentation to post-operative follow-up.
With multiple locations across India – including Bangalore, Delhi, and Kolkata – Manipal offers flexibility for patients who want to be near a specific city.
Standout fact: Manipal’s paediatric kidney transplant programme achieves a 97% success rate – among the highest for children’s transplants anywhere in Asia.
Estimated cost: From USD 12,500 – the most affordable entry point among India’s top-ranked transplant centres.
Kokilaben is Mumbai’s premier choice for kidney transplant – and for patients flying in from the Gulf or East Africa, Mumbai’s international airport connectivity is a genuine practical advantage.
The hospital has been ranked #1 in Mumbai and Western India for 9 consecutive years and 6th best in India overall (Newsweek). JCI-accredited, with a dedicated transplant unit that follows internationally accepted protocols for immunosuppression, infection control, and recovery monitoring.
Success rates are clearly published: 90–95% one-year graft survival for living donor transplants and 85–90% for deceased donor transplants – figures that sit comfortably within global benchmarks for top-tier programmes. The nephrology and urology units include one of Mumbai’s largest dialysis networks, which supports both pre-transplant management and post-operative care.
Kokilaben performs the full range of transplant types: living donor, deceased donor, paired kidney exchange, ABO-incompatible, and laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for minimally invasive donor surgery.
Standout fact: Ranked #1 hospital in Mumbai for 9 consecutive years, with 90–95% one-year graft survival for living donor transplants.
Estimated cost: From USD 65,000 – reflecting the hospital’s premium infrastructure and full-service international patient programme.
Fortis has treated 200,000+ international patients from 175+ countries – that number reflects a logistics infrastructure that few hospital groups anywhere can match. The kidney transplant programme has completed 2,500+ successful transplants with a 95% success rate, exceeding many international benchmarks.
The programme is led by experienced transplant surgeons including Dr. Sunil Kumar, who brings 15+ years of experience and 1,500+ successful transplants to the team. Fortis uses laparoscopic donor nephrectomy wherever possible – minimally invasive donor surgery that reduces recovery time and post-operative pain significantly.
Fortis handles both living-donor and deceased-donor transplants, including ABO-incompatible cases. The international patient division covers visa invitation letters, airport transfers, language interpretation, and accommodation coordination – making it one of the most complete end-to-end services among India’s top hospitals.
With major campuses in Gurugram, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai, Fortis offers geographic flexibility across India’s main international entry points.
Standout fact: 95% kidney transplant success rate across 2,500+ procedures – a figure that exceeds many Western transplant programmes.
Estimated cost: From USD 14,000
Artemis has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner for international kidney transplant patients, particularly from the Middle East and Africa. Located in Gurugram – the same medical hub as Medanta, 30 minutes from Delhi’s international airport – it offers JCI-accredited care with a notably personalised approach.
The transplant programme is led by internationally trained surgeons including Dr. Harsha Jauhari, who trained in the UK and specialises in both adult and paediatric kidney transplants. Transplanted kidneys at Artemis average 10–15 years of graft function with proper post-operative care – a metric the hospital publishes transparently.
Artemis provides detailed upfront cost breakdowns covering pre-operative workup, surgery, post-operative care, and medication – no hidden fees. The international patient team works closely with patients to create personalised treatment plans, and the hospital’s growing transplant programme is backed by advanced imaging, 24-hour transplant ICU care, and structured long-term follow-up.
Standout fact: UK-trained transplant surgeons lead a programme where grafts average 10–15 years of function – with full cost transparency before you travel.
Estimated cost: From USD 13,000
All figures are USD estimates for 2026. Actual cost depends on complexity, donor type, length of stay, and any complications. Costs exclude flights, accommodation, and follow-up visits.
| Hospital | City | Estimated Cost (USD) | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medanta – The Medicity | Gurugram | From $15,000 | World’s first robotic transplant under regional hypothermia; India’s #1 private hospital |
| Manipal Hospitals | Bangalore (+ other cities) | From $12,500 | 97% paediatric success rate; most affordable top-ranked option |
| Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital | Mumbai | From $65,000 | #1 Mumbai hospital 9 years running; 90–95% graft survival; premium full-service |
| Fortis Hospitals | Multiple cities | From $14,000 | 95% success rate; 2,500+ transplants; 175+ countries served |
| Artemis Hospitals | Gurugram | From $13,000 | UK-trained surgeons; full cost transparency; JCI accredited |
For context: A kidney transplant in the US costs $150,000–$300,000. The same procedure at India’s best hospitals costs 60–80% less, at JCI-accredited facilities with comparable or superior surgical volumes.
Here’s a realistic timeline from first inquiry to discharge.
Week 1–2: Initial evaluation
Week 2–4: Legal approval process
Week 4–5: Pre-transplant workup
Day of surgery and immediate post-op
Weeks 6–8: Recovery and discharge
Total time in India: Plan for 6–8 weeks from arrival to return flight.
Coordinating a kidney transplant abroad involves more than booking flights. Medical records need translating. Visa letters need issuing. The legal process needs managing. And all of this happens while you’re already dealing with kidney failure – which is exhausting enough on its own.
Our medical coordination network connects international patients with vetted specialists and JCI-accredited hospitals across India – including all five hospitals on this list. Here’s what we do, specifically:
If you’re at the stage of shortlisting hospitals or just trying to understand whether India is the right option for your situation, reach out. We respond within 4 hours.
Can a foreigner get a kidney transplant in India?
Yes – but with specific conditions. Under India’s Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), foreign nationals can receive a kidney transplant in India provided the donor is a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child, or spouse of at least 5 years). Prior approval from the hospital’s Authorisation Committee is mandatory. Both patient and donor must be physically present in India for the approval process.
Who can be a kidney donor for an international patient in India?
The donor must be a first-degree relative: parent, sibling, adult child, or spouse (married for a minimum of 5 years). The relationship must be certified by the donor’s country’s embassy in India. Unrelated donors – friends, distant relatives, altruistic strangers – are not permitted under Indian law. The donor must also be medically fit and free from chronic conditions including hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and hepatitis B and C.
How long do I need to stay in India for a kidney transplant?
Plan for 6–8 weeks total. This covers the legal approval process (2–4 weeks from arrival), pre-transplant workup, surgery, hospital recovery (7–15 days for the recipient), and outpatient follow-up before you’re cleared to fly. The donor is typically discharged within 5–7 days post-surgery.
What documents do I need to bring?
At a minimum: recent kidney function tests and imaging, a full medical history, a current medication list, passport copies for both patient and donor, proof of relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificate), and embassy-certified relationship documentation. The hospital’s international patient team will send a complete checklist once you make contact.
Is robotic kidney transplant better than conventional surgery?
For many patients, yes. Robotic transplants using systems like the Da Vinci Xi involve smaller incisions, less blood loss, reduced post-operative pain and faster recovery than open surgery. Medanta’s robotic programme, which pioneered the technique under regional hypothermia, has reported these advantages in peer-reviewed publications. Not everyone is a candidate, and your transplant team will advise based on your anatomy and clinical profile.
What is the success rate for kidney transplants in India?
At the leading hospitals, one-year graft survival for living donor transplants ranges from 90 to 97%, competitive with leading centres in the US and Europe. Fortis reports a 95% overall success rate across more than 2,500 transplants. Medanta and Manipal both report 97% success in paediatric cases. Kokilaben publishes 90 to 95% one-year graft survival for living donor transplants.
How do I get a second opinion before choosing a hospital?
You do not need to travel for one. Share your medical records (kidney function tests, imaging, biopsy results if available, and current treatment history) and a specialist from our network will review your case and provide a written opinion within four hours, including a recommendation on which hospital and surgical team fits your situation. There is no upfront cost.
What happens if the donor is medically rejected after we arrive in India?
It does happen, and it is worth planning for. If the donor fails medical clearance in India, whether from an undisclosed condition, borderline kidney function or cardiovascular risk, the transplant cannot go ahead. You will not be charged for surgery, but you will already have paid for travel and accommodation. This is why thorough pre-travel donor screening matters, ideally with a preliminary remote review before you book flights. Our team can arrange a preliminary donor evaluation before you commit to travelling.
.webp){kind=logo}
Get expert guidance instantly
Tell us about your condition and we will help you find the right care.
Get expert guidance instantly
Share a few details and our medical team gets back to you within 4 hours with the next steps.
Tell us what you are facing and our medical team will guide you to the right doctors, hospitals and treatment.
Free Review, No Commitment
Free assessment with no pressure to proceed.
Trusted by 100,000+ Patients
Across 125+ countries worldwide
500+ Top Partner Hospitals
Globally accredited medical facilities
5000+ Expert Specialists
Senior doctors across major specialties.
Making quality healthcare accessible to patients worldwide
Everything you need to know about choosing the right hospital, doctor and treatment plan.