India has articulated a bold vision through the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative—to build domestic manufacturing capabilities, reduce dependence on imports, create high-value employment, and establish the nation as a global manufacturing hub. In the healthcare technology sector, particularly advanced medical imaging such as MRI, CT, PET-CT, and Nuclear Medicine equipment, this vision is both timely and essential.

However, a significant gap continues to exist between the Government’s stated objectives and the procurement practices followed by many public-sector procurement agencies.

While policy frameworks encourage domestic manufacturing, public tenders often contain technical specifications and eligibility criteria that effectively exclude Indian manufacturers from participating on equal terms. As a result, procurement outcomes frequently favour multinational corporations, even when capable domestic alternatives are available.

This contradiction raises an important question: How can India become self-reliant in medical technology if government procurement systems continue to create barriers for indigenous manufacturers?

The challenge is not a lack of technological capability. Indian companies have invested heavily in research, engineering, manufacturing infrastructure, quality systems, and skilled manpower. Domestic manufacturers today are capable of designing, developing, and producing sophisticated medical imaging equipment that meets international standards.

Yet, many government tenders continue to prescribe specifications that are excessively restrictive, brand-aligned, or tailored to technologies offered by a limited number of multinational suppliers. Such specifications often exceed clinical requirements and prevent wider competition. In many cases, the tender conditions appear designed around a particular product architecture rather than focusing on the intended clinical outcomes.

The result is a procurement ecosystem that inadvertently discourages innovation, limits competition, and undermines the growth of India’s medical technology manufacturing sector.

This issue is particularly concerning because government procurement represents one of the largest purchasing channels for medical equipment in the country. Procurement decisions directly influence industrial growth, investment decisions, employment generation, and technological advancement.

India currently faces a substantial shortage of advanced diagnostic infrastructure. The country requires thousands of additional MRI systems, tens of thousands of CT scanners, and several thousand Nuclear Medicine facilities to meet global benchmarks. Bridging this gap will require large-scale deployment of cost-effective imaging solutions across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Domestic manufacturers are uniquely positioned to support this expansion due to their understanding of local healthcare needs, service requirements, and cost structures. However, unless procurement frameworks provide a level playing field, India’s dependence on imported technologies will continue.

The objective is not protectionism. Domestic manufacturers are not seeking preferential treatment or exclusion of foreign companies. What is required is fair competition, transparent evaluation criteria, and tender specifications based on clinical necessity rather than vendor-specific configurations.

Government agencies must align procurement policies with national industrial objectives. The Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) framework was introduced precisely to encourage indigenous manufacturing and strengthen local value creation. Effective implementation of these provisions is critical if the nation is to realize the full potential of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

India has demonstrated its capability in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, space technology, defence manufacturing, and digital innovation. Medical imaging technology can become another success story. However, this will only happen when policy intent is matched by procurement practices.

The future of Atmanirbhar Bharat in healthcare will not be determined by policy announcements alone. It will be determined by whether Indian manufacturers are given a genuine opportunity to compete, innovate, and contribute to building the healthcare infrastructure that the country urgently needs.

A self-reliant India cannot be built on imported technology alone. It requires a procurement ecosystem that actively supports, rather than unintentionally suppresses, domestic innovation and manufacturing.