Healthcare News

The Government of India has extended its Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for medical devices until 2035-36, signalling a continued push to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce the country’s dependence on imported medical equipment. The Department of Pharmaceuticals has also invited fresh applications under the programme, with approximately ₹2,700 crore in available financial outlay.

The extension is expected to provide fresh opportunities for manufacturers looking to expand production capabilities, invest in advanced technologies and develop medical device manufacturing facilities in India.

Relaxed Eligibility Rules to Encourage Industry Participation

Alongside extending the timeline, the government has introduced easier eligibility conditions to encourage wider participation from companies operating in the medical devices sector. The revised approach aims to make the incentive programme more accessible to eligible manufacturers and support additional investments in domestic production.

By inviting new applications, the government is seeking to attract businesses interested in establishing or expanding manufacturing operations within the country.

Focus on Critical Components and Advanced Medical Equipment

A key priority of the extended Medical Devices PLI Scheme is to strengthen India’s capabilities in manufacturing critical medical device components and advanced equipment.

The domestic medical device industry continues to face challenges related to import dependence, particularly in certain specialised equipment and components. Strengthening local production capabilities could help improve supply chain resilience and support the availability of medical technologies within the country.

Greater domestic manufacturing capacity may also create opportunities for technology development, industrial partnerships and investment across the medical device ecosystem.

What the Extension Means for India’s Medical Device Industry

The extension of the PLI programme represents an important policy step for India’s medical device manufacturing sector. A longer incentive period could give manufacturers greater clarity when planning investments, expanding production facilities and developing new product capabilities.

For domestic companies, the revised eligibility framework and fresh application window may create additional opportunities to participate in government-supported manufacturing initiatives.

The programme also aligns with India’s broader objective of developing a stronger domestic healthcare manufacturing ecosystem, improving industrial capabilities and reducing reliance on imported medical technologies.

As the government opens the scheme for fresh applications, industry participation and investment decisions will be important factors in determining how effectively the extended programme strengthens India’s medical device manufacturing landscape.

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By MedGate Bureau