India is accelerating efforts to transform its medical technology ecosystem into a global export powerhouse through the MAHA MedTech Mission, a coordinated initiative designed to spur innovation, regulatory reform, and international competitiveness in the country’s MedTech sector.
The mission is a collaborative effort led by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in partnership with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and supported by the Gates Foundation.
The initiative was highlighted during a session at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where stakeholders discussed co-creating the future of India’s MedTech ecosystem. T. Thangaradjou, Scientist F at the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), outlined that the mission is a collaborative effort involving ANRF, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Gates Foundation.
He underscored that the programme is designed to align research funding, regulatory support and innovation pathways to strengthen India’s position in global medical technology markets.
A key reform under the mission includes the removal of the mandatory three-year existence requirement for deep-tech startups seeking research recognition and MedTech grants. The move is expected to allow early-stage innovators to access funding much earlier in their development journey, accelerating product development and commercialisation.
Unveiled as part of a broader national strategy to expand the reach of Indian medical technologies, the MAHA MedTech Mission aims to position India as a leading exporter of affordable and scalable medical devices and healthcare solutions.
The mission focuses on delivering technologies that can address the needs of low- and middle-income countries, signalling a shift in India’s role from domestic market participant to global MedTech contributor.
Key reforms under the initiative are designed to accelerate innovation by removing barriers such as the requirement for deep-tech startups to operate for a minimum period before being eligible for research grants. Regulatory support is being bolstered through platforms like “MedTech Mitra,” which aims to provide tailored guidance to medical technology developers and help align clinical studies with national approval standards overseen by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
The mission is also backed by infrastructure investments that include new clinical trial sites and research centres dedicated to advancing high-impact MedTech innovations.
Under its five-year blueprint, MAHA MedTech emphasises both affordability and self-reliance, with targeted funding and support mechanisms to help indigenous technologies mature from concept to commercialisation.
The mission’s framework encourages industry-academia partnerships, supports milestone-linked financial assistance for eligible projects, and promotes the scaling of innovations that can reduce reliance on high-cost imports.
India’s medical technology sector has been identified as a sunrise industry with substantial export potential. Industry estimates show that the Indian medical devices market is on track to expand significantly over the next decade, bolstered by policy measures such as production-linked incentives, dedicated MedTech parks, and a growing base of startups and small manufacturers. These factors collectively support India’s ambition to capture a larger share of global medical technology trade and deliver cost-effective healthcare solutions to markets worldwide.
The MAHA MedTech Mission represents a concerted policy effort to make Indian medical technologies more competitive on the global stage by combining innovation support, regulatory clarity, and international outreach.
Through this initiative, India aims not only to meet domestic healthcare demands but also to supply affordable, high-quality medical technologies to global markets.
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