India's PLI Schemes Draw ₹46,744 Crore Into Pharma Manufacturing, Add 57 Domestic Medical Devices
核心洞察
India's three Production Linked Incentive schemes for pharmaceuticals, bulk drugs and medical devices have drawn ₹46,744 crore in actual pharma investment against a ₹17,275 crore target as of June 2026.
The bulk drugs scheme has commissioned 39 projects covering 28 APIs, enabling domestic production of Penicillin-G (搜索), Clavulanic Acid and Rifampicin that were previously largely imported.
The medical devices scheme has started production of 57 unique devices including MRI machines, CT scanners, Cath Labs and linear accelerators, with a 5 per cent incentive on incremental sales for five years.
India's three Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have drawn ₹46,744 crore in actual investment into pharmaceutical manufacturing, far exceeding the ₹17,275 crore target, according to a government factsheet released by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers (搜索). The schemes, aligned with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, cover critical pharmaceutical ingredients, high-value medicines and advanced medical devices, with the stated aim of reducing import dependence and promoting technology adoption.
Pharmaceuticals: 55 Applicants, ₹4.03 Lakh Crore in Cumulative Sales
The PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals was approved in 2021 with a financial outlay of ₹15,000 crore. It supports manufacturing across biopharmaceuticals, complex generics, patented and off-patent drugs, orphan drugs, auto-immune medicines and other high-value products, along with specified APIs and key source material not covered under the Bulk Drugs PLI Scheme.
A total of 55 applicants, including 20 MSMEs, have been selected. As of June 2026, the scheme had generated 1,21,294 jobs, while beneficiary companies recorded cumulative sales of ₹4,02,869 crore, including exports worth ₹2,57,370 crore, from FY 2022-23 to June 2026.
Companies including Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited, Lupin Limited, Cipla Limited, Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited and Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited have expanded capacity to manufacture complex generics, biosimilars, auto-immune medicines and other high-value pharmaceuticals under the scheme, according to the factsheet.
Bulk Drugs: 39 Projects Commissioned Across 28 APIs
The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs was approved in 2020 with a financial outlay of ₹6,940 crore, targeting domestic manufacturing of 41 identified critical products to reduce dependence on imports of APIs and other essential pharmaceutical building blocks.
A total of 48 projects have been approved. As of June 2026, investments of ₹5,210.74 crore had been made against committed investments of ₹4,330 crore, and 39 projects covering 28 APIs and key starting materials had been commissioned. The scheme has enabled domestic production of critical fermentation-based products including Penicillin-G (搜索), Clavulanic Acid and Rifampicin, which were earlier largely dependent on imports. Beneficiaries recorded sales of ₹3,792.49 crore, including exports of ₹560.16 crore, and generated employment for around 5,127 people.
Medical Devices: 57 Devices in Production
The PLI Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices was approved in 2020 with a financial outlay of ₹3,420 crore. It provides a 5 per cent incentive on incremental sales of eligible medical devices manufactured in India for five years and covers four segments: cancer care and radiotherapy; radiology and imaging; anaesthesia, cardio-respiratory and renal care; and implants, including implantable electronic devices.
Production of 57 unique medical devices has commenced under the scheme, including MRI machines, CT scanners, Cath Labs, linear accelerators, C-Arms, mammography machines, ultrasound systems, anaesthesia machines and heart valves. The scheme has facilitated domestic manufacturing capabilities for high-end devices that were earlier predominantly imported.
Global Manufacturers Expand Indian Footprint
The initiative has attracted global manufacturers and encouraged technology transfer and advanced manufacturing capabilities in India. GE Healthcare, Siemens (搜索), Philips, Varex (搜索), Nipro (搜索) and Omron (搜索) have established or expanded manufacturing operations in the country, while several participating companies have entered into technology-transfer arrangements with global partners.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals said the three schemes together cover the pharmaceutical and medical devices manufacturing ecosystem, from critical raw materials and APIs to high-value medicines and advanced medical technologies, and are contributing to supply-chain resilience and strengthening India's position as a manufacturing hub for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.