With India importing nearly 70 per cent of its medical device requirements, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has invited proposals under two sub-schemes aimed at reducing import dependence and supporting clinical studies in the medical technology sector.
The schemes are part of a Rs 500 crore package launched by the DoP in November 2024 to strengthen domestic medical device manufacturing. Eligible applicants have been asked to submit proposals by January 10, 2026, according to a DoP notice.
Under the first sub-scheme, Rs 180 crore has been earmarked to provide marginal investment support to 30 selected applicants for manufacturing key components and raw materials used in medical devices. The objective is to reduce reliance on imported inputs, as most critical components and raw materials are currently sourced from overseas markets.
The scheme provides a one-time capital subsidy ranging from 10 to 20 per cent of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs 10 crore, on a reimbursement basis. Eligible projects include the production of key components, raw materials and accessories, as well as finished medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic devices listed under the Global Tender Enquiry (GTE) equipment list.
The GTE list includes medical equipment that government agencies are permitted to procure through global tenders due to the unavailability of advanced technology in India.
The second sub-scheme, the Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme, focuses on facilitating clinical research for medical devices by both established companies and start-ups. With a total outlay of Rs 110 crore, the scheme provides financial assistance for animal studies and human clinical trials required to validate medical devices.
Under this scheme, manufacturers can receive financial support of up to Rs 2.5 crore for animal studies and up to Rs 5 crore for generating clinical data for investigational devices and post-market clinical follow-up studies. Additional support of up to Rs 1 crore is available for clinical performance evaluation of new in-vitro diagnostic products.
Eligible beneficiaries include medical device and in-vitro diagnostic manufacturers with manufacturing facilities in India, as well as national institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs).
The DoP highlighted that the initiative is aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities across the medical device value chain and improving access to indigenous, clinically validated medical technologies.
