Investigation revealed that the innovative initiatives and achievements of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers during the past year 2025 were a select schemes. 

Consider these schemes and their achievements.

1.         Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

Implemented through Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI),a total of 17,610 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened so far including 2202 in 2025. Product basket of PMBJP comprises 2110 medicines, 315 medical devices and consumables covering 29 therapeutic groups such as Anti-infectives, Anti-diabetics, Cardiovascular, Anti-cancers, Gastro-intestinal medicines, etc.

Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins at ₹1/- per pad are made available through JAKs.  Over 96.30 crore Suvidha Sanitary Pads have been sold so far and out of this, over 17.90 crore were sold in 2025.

In 2024-25, PMBI registered sales of ₹2022.47 crore which led to savings of approximately ₹8000 crore to the citizens. In the current financial year 2025-26, till 30.11.2025, PMBI has made sales of ₹1409.32 crore, which has led to savings of approximately ₹5637 crore to the citizens.

Progress Report (As on 30.11.2025)

Financial Year	Number of JAKs functional		Sales at MRP Value in ₹ crore
	Yearly addition	Cumulative
2024-25	4142	15,403	2022.47
2025-26	2207	17,610	1409.32

New Initiatives:

• The revamping of the online application portal. An easy web and mobile based Graphical User Interface (GUI) enable seamless form filling, document uploading, and live tracking with the added geo-tagging functionality for users. 
• Jan Aushadhi Kendra applicants and Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners can avail the benefits of business activity loan under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana of up to ₹20 lakhs by registering themself at "Jan Samarth Portal".
• Expansion of distributor network from 36 distributors to 39 distributors.
• To enhance warehouse inward efficiency and capacity within the supply chain management, the DWS (Dimensioning, Weighing and Scanning) system has been deployed. This enables faster receiving through automatic capture of dimensions, weight, and barcode data in seconds; boosts throughput for higher carton volumes per hour; ensures improved accuracy by eliminating manual errors in measurements and Stock Keeping Units (SKU) identification; provides seamless real-time integration with the Warehouse Management System (WMS) for efficient put-away decisions; and optimises space utilization with precise dimensional data for better storage planning. This new system will enable the warehouses to handle greater volumes with the same resources while maintaining data integrity.
• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana participated in two major events in New Delhi: the India Med Tech Expo 2025 and the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 at Pragati Maidan.

2.         Reducing import dependence for bulk drugs:

• Under PLI scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs)/ Drug Intermediates (DIs) and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), 35 projects have been commissioned for manufacturing of 26 APIs/KSMs, including fermentation-based products such as Penicillin-G, Clavulanic acid and Rifampicin, which were earlier primarily imported.
• As of September 2025, against targeted investment of ₹4,330 crore, investment worth ₹4,763.34 crore has been made. 
• As of September 2025, cumulative sales worth ₹2,315.44 crore have been made under the scheme, including exports worth ₹508.12 crore, thereby avoiding imports worth ₹1807.32 crore since inception of the scheme in FY2022-23.
• As of September 2025, an employment for 4,929 persons has been generated

3.         Enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities and exports in the pharmaceuticals sector:

• Under the PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals, investment worth ₹40,294 crore has been made as of September 2025, significantly exceeding the targeted investment of ₹17,275 crore.  
• The scheme supports manufacturing of high-value products like biopharmaceuticals, complex generics, patented/off-patent drugs, orphan, and autoimmune drugs, generating total sales of ₹3,08,408.60 crore, including ₹1,98,509.49 crore in exports since inception till September 2025.
• Against the expected direct employment for 20,000 persons employment has already been generated for approximately 97,000 persons, including contractual and apprentice workers by September, 2025 since inception.
• Production is taking place through over 350 manufacturing units, including 28 greenfield locations which have been established under this scheme.
• 726 APIs / KSMs / DIs are being manufactured under the scheme, including 191 which have been manufactured for the first time under the scheme.
• 30% of India’s overall bulk drug exports and 26.5% of overall formulation exports in FY 2025 has been contributed through production under the scheme.

4.         Scheme for Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industry (SPI):

The Central Sector Scheme “Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industry” (SPI), comprises of the following sub-schemes:

(i) Assistance to Pharmaceutical Industry for Common Facilities (API-CF), to strengthen the existing pharmaceutical clusters’ capacity for their sustained growth by creating common facilities. Under the Scheme, as November 2025, 8 projects have been given final approval.

(ii) Revamped Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS): Under the scheme, as of 30.11.2025, 433 registrations have been made and 380 applications have been received. Out of these 380 applications, Scheme Steering Committee has approved 192 applications including 167 applications in Financial Year 2025-26.

(iii) Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Promotion and Development Scheme (PMPDS)Under this 63 events/workshops/seminars/webinars and 24 studies have been carried out as on November-2025.

5.         Scheme for Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks:

Under the scheme the Department had received proposals from 13 states. After evaluation, proposals of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh were approved. ₹1000 crore grant has been approved for each of the selected State. Construction activities are in progress in all 3 selected parks. The status of funds released and utilised in the selected Bulk Drug parks is as under:

States	Total Project Cost (in ₹crore)	Total CIF Cost (in ₹crore)	Central Grants released (in ₹crore)	State Fund Released (in ₹crore)	Funds utilised till November 2025 including State Share (in ₹ crore)
Gujarat	2507.02	1457.01	600.00	137.10	427.92
Himachal Pradesh	1923	1118.46	225.00	35.54	50.76
Andhra Pradesh	1876.66	1438.89	225.00	132.30	268.75

 

6.         Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices:

This scheme intends to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the medical devices sector. 

The products under the scheme have been categorised under following four categories:

1. Cancer care / Radiotherapy medical devices
2. Radiology and imaging medical devices (both ionising & non-ionising radiation products) and nuclear imaging devices
3. Anesthetics and cardio-respiratory medical devices including catheters of cardio respiratory category and renal care medical devices
4. All implants including implantable electronic devices

The cumulative sales made by the applicants under the scheme is ₹12,344.37 crore (which included exports worth ₹5,869.36 crore) upto September 2025.

7.         Common Facilities for Medical Devices Clusters (CFMDC) Scheme for  strengthening the existing and new Medical Device clusters by providing financial assistance for Common Infrastructure Facilities and improve availability of more Medical Device Testing Laboratories.

Particulars	No.	Grant-in-Aid (₹ crore)
In-principle approval	10	90.92
Final Approval	7	40.72
Disbursement	7	10.18
Final approval i.r.o 2 cases proposed to be approved in next SSC.	2	31.71
Balance available under the Scheme	-	37.57

 

8.         India MedTech Expo 2025

The India MedTech Expo 2025, the 2nd International Exhibition on the Medical Devices Sector, with the theme “Global MedTech Manufacturing Hub: Precision Engineering yet Affordable” – reinforcing India’s position as a global MedTech innovation hub was held from 4–6.9.2025 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and was addressed by Shri Amit Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

It showcased India’s end-to-end MedTech ecosystem including Start-ups, Future Pavilion, R&D Pavilion, MSMEs, large enterprises, R&D institutions, hospitals and academia. It served as a catalyst for global collaboration, technology innovation, and investment, aligned with Government of India’s Vision 2047 to establish India as a Global MedTech Hub.

The event witnessed strong multi-stakeholder participation, with a total visitor footfall of 12,106 over three days and 2,980 B2B buyer–seller meetings, indicating robust industry engagement and export potential. The exhibition featured 65 Indian and global companies, start-ups, and academic labs, along with 74 live and digital showcases in dedicated pavilions including the State Pavilion, R&D Pavilion, Start-up Pavilion, and Future Pavilion. An International Buyer–Seller Meet further strengthened trade linkages.

9.         Strengthening of Medical Devices Industry (SMDI) Scheme:

(i)        Capacity Building and Skill Development in Medical Device Sector Scheme (₹100 crore)

The main objective of this sub-scheme is to fill the gap existing in the education and research in medical devices sector and to ensure quality teaching, training and nurturing excellence in Medical Technology education for generating critical mass of trained human resource to meet the requirements of rapidly innovating multidisciplinary areas of Medical Technology while facilitating R&D ecosystem for the sector. Under the sub-scheme, In-principle approval has been granted to 13 proposals for Component-A and 5 proposals for Component-B. Proposals under Component A for Masters Programs and Component B for Certificate/PG Diploma have started implementation, with student enrollment completed for the upcoming academic session. The approved programmes together provide for 750 seats. 

(ii)       Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence Scheme .(₹180 crore)

The  objective of this sub-scheme is to promote domestic production of key components, raw materials and accessories used in manufacturing of medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostic devices, in order to reduce dependence of Indian medical device manufacturers on imported key components and raw materials and increase the depth of our value chains. Under the scheme, a total of 15 applicants have been granted In-principle approval for approx. ₹88 crore. The application window for the sub-scheme has been reopened from 10.12.2025 to 10.1.2026, inviting fresh applications.

(iii)       Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme (₹ 100 crore)

The objective of this sub-scheme is to support the medical device industry by fostering development of devices supported by clinical evidence and generation of clinical data that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the devices manufactured in India. A total of 18 proposals have been considered by the SSC for In-principle approval. The application window for the sub-scheme has been reopened from 10.12.2025 to 10.1.2026, inviting fresh applications.

10.       Pharmaceutical is one of the top ten attractive sectors for foreign investment in India.

During 2024-25, FDI inflows in pharmaceutical sector (both in pharmaceuticals and medical devices) was ₹12,753 crore. During the current financial year of 2025-26 from April 2025 to up to September 2025, FDI inflows (both in pharmaceuticals and medical devices) has been ₹13,193 crore, which was ₹8,103 crore during the corresponding period of financial year 2024-25. 

11.       MoU on Cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals and medical device products between the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands was signed on 19.6.2025.

The MoU focusses on cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals and medical device products, to be implemented through a Joint Working Group (JWG). 

12.       National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs):

• As per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of the Ministry of Education, under the ‘Pharmacy’ category, all seven NIPERs are ranked among the top 30 pharmacy institutes in the country, with Hyderabad ranked 5th, Mohali 9th, Guwahati 12th, Raebareli 17th, Ahmedabad 21st, Kolkata 29th and Hajipur 30th in NIRF, 2025. They also rank high in terms of the calibre of their faculty, which includes 40 faculty members who figure in the prestigious Stanford Top 2% Scientists list.
• So far, 10,974 students have graduated from NIPERs, consisting of 721 doctoral students, 8,894 post graduates and 1359 MBA degree-holders.
• This is reflected in the high placement rates of NIPERs, which had an average placement rate of 89.28% this year i.e., 2025 for NIPER Ahmedabad, NIPER Hajipur and NIPER Raebareli. Placement at NIPER Mohali, Kolkata, Guwahati and Hyderabad is ongoing. 
• As part of academia-industry linkage, as on 31.10.2025, NIPERs have signed 346 Memoranda of Understanding with industries and other academic institutions, filed 476 patents (of which 202 patents were granted and 11 patents are commercialised and published 8,766 research papers in reputed journals.
• During FY 2025-2026, as on 31.10.2025, 378 research papers were published, 33 patent filed and 22 Memoranda of Understanding signed by NIPERs.
• The construction of  campuses at Hyderabad, Kolkata, Raebareli and Hajipur are in progress. As on 31.10.2025, 72% of the construction work at NIPER Hajipur, 62% at NIPER Hyderabad, 73% at NIPER Kolkata, and 93% at NIPER Raebareli has been completed.

Key highlights/Achievements of the 7 NIPERs:

NIPER Ahmedabad

• NIPER -Ahmedabad hosted an industry-academia interaction session on 18.1.2025 in the presence of Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health and Family Welfare.
• On 18.1.2025, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Hon’ble Union Minister of Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health and Family Welfare, laid the foundation stone for the Student Utility Centre at NIPER Ahmedabad.
• NIPER-A Testing Laboratory (NTL), nation's first NABL accredited lab at NIPER-Ahmedabad for mechanical testing of medical devices (Hip Implant) was inaugurated 
• NIPER Ahmedabad, has made a strategic alliance with Trident Lifeline Limited, a dynamic and rapidly expanding Small and Medium Enterprise (SME). This partnership, formalized through a technology transfer agreement, marks a significant milestone in bringing the critical cancer drug Vorinostat to Indian patients.

NIPER Guwahati

• Atal Incubation Centre at NIPER Guwahati was inaugurated on 18.6.2025 and recognised as Host Institute under the Ministry of MSME, Government of India.
• The Department of Medical Chemistry of NIPER Guwahati has successfully synthesised 13 Reference molecules for human sports dope testing and provided National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and accredited by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
• NIPER, Guwahati, has announced the launch of a one-year postgraduate diploma course in medical devices, commencing from the academic year 2025–26.

NIPER Hajipur

• Under National Pharmacovigilance Ranking NIPER Hajipur consistently ranks among the Top 10 performing centres in India contributing to both Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), and Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI).
• Centre of Excellence in Biological Therapeutics at NIPER Hajipur Organised a National Level One-Day Symposium on “Good Laboratory Practice for Enhancing R&D Capabilities in Biological Therapeutics” on 31.1.2025.
• NIPER Hajipur achieved a placement record of 84.25% for the graduating batch of 2025, reflecting strong industry linkage and employability of its graduates.

NIPER Hyderabad

• NIPER Hyderabad earned national recognition for its significant contribution to the NADA Project, advancing the mission of Clean Sports and Public Health.
• NIPER Hyderabad successfully hosted an Industry–Academia Meet in collaboration with the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) on 17.9.2025.
• NIPER Hyderabad organised conference on Innovative Processes for Bulk Drugs (IPBD- 2025) on 27-28.3.2025. The conference was organised as a part of the activities towards the establishment of Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bulk Drugs at NIPER Hyderabad.

NIPER Kolkata

• The Institute conducted one Invited Talk on “Continuous manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals” on 25.4.2025.
• NIPER Kolkata conducted an Invited Talk on “Smart Eating, Healthy Living: Building a Culture of Balanced Food of Choices to Prevent Obesity” on 2.9.2025. 
• The Institute organised a Workshop on R&D Proposal Writing on 13.10.2025.

 

NIPER Mohali

• NIPER Mohali has established Dr Chigurupati Centre of Excellence in Innovative and Sustainable Pharmaceutical Development (CCE-ISPD) on 4.9.2025.
• NIPER Mohali has conducted two trainings under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) - Ministry of External Affairs, in the field of Pharmaceuticals.

NIPER Raebareli.

• NIPER Raebareli has organised the National Symposium on “Innovations on Age-appropriate Therapeutics for the Elderly: Challenges & Opportunities” on 18.8.2025 at Lucknow in association with Sun Pharma Science Foundation.

13.       Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP)

• The scheme aims to strengthen India’s pharmaceutical and MedTech ecosystem by shifting focus from generic manufacturing to innovation-led growth through support for research, product development, and industry–academia collaboration.
• The Scheme has two components viz., Component A and Component B.
• Under Component A, seven Centres of Excellence have been established, one at each National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, in identified areas of specialisation with an overall outlay of ₹700 crore.
• As on November 2025, the CoEs have approved 111 research projects to be taken up under the scheme. Further, forty-six research papers have been published and six patents were filed.
• Under Component B, financial assistance will be provided to industries, MSMEs, start-ups for research in the identified priority areas in Pharma-MedTech sector.

• Under Component B, the amended scheme and guidelines were notified on 1.10.2025 and applications were invited through an online portal.
• The evaluation of the applications/projects received is currently underway, and the release of funds to eligible applicants is expected to commence within the current financial year.