Total 36 different medical devices are manufactured under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing of medical devices in India. These medical devices belong to different portfolios such as Imaging & Diagnostics, Critical Care & Emergency, Interventional CardioVascular, Renal Care Devices, Orthopaedic Implants, Oncology and specialist divisions.
Importantly, these indigenously manufactured devices are priced nearly 10% to 30% lower than comparable imported products, directly contributing to reduced healthcare costs and improved affordability for patients across India.
To further support this initiative, dedicated medical device parks are being established in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These parks are aimed at creating a globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem by offering state-of-the-art, plug-and-play infrastructure for new manufacturing units. Developers and manufacturers benefit from land availability at substantially subsidised rates, along with exemptions or concessions on stamp duty, which significantly lower the initial capital investment required for setting up greenfield projects. This reduction in upfront costs enables companies to allocate more resources towards advanced machinery, modern technologies, automation and quality assurance systems.
A key strength of these medical device parks lies in their shared common infrastructure facilities. These include centres for 3D design and printing, electronics assembly, electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing, moulding, sterilisation, biocompatibility and toxicology testing, electronic and component testing, gamma radiation facilities and animal laboratories. Such shared facilities are particularly beneficial for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as they eliminate the need for heavy capital investment in specialised infrastructure that may otherwise remain underutilised. As a result, manufacturers can reduce per-unit production costs, accelerate product development and improve overall operational efficiency.
In addition, the parks offer subsidised tariffs for essential utilities such as electricity, water, warehousing and maintenance services. The combined advantage of low-cost land, shared high-end infrastructure and subsidised utilities enhances both capital efficiency and operational sustainability. Collectively, these measures help Indian manufacturers achieve economies of scale, improve price competitiveness and strengthen India’s position as an emerging global hub for medical device manufacturing.
Alongside infrastructure development, the Government has also focused on building skilled human resources for the sector. The Capacity Building and Skill Development in the Medical Device Sector sub-scheme, under the Strengthening of Medical Device Industry initiative, is currently being implemented to address the industry’s growing need for skilled manpower. Under this sub-scheme, 18 applications have been approved to run two-year postgraduate degree programmes and short-term skill development courses in medical device–related disciplines. These initiatives aim to create 750 training seats over a three-year period, spanning both advanced academic programmes and short-term certification courses. At present, 187 candidates are enrolled in the first academic session, marking a significant step towards developing a qualified technical workforce for the MedTech industry.
The high-end medical devices currently being manufactured in India under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme cover a wide spectrum of advanced healthcare needs. These include oncology and radiation therapy equipment such as linear accelerators (LINAC), laser ablation systems and rotational cobalt machines. In the area of imaging and diagnostics, devices such as C-arm machines, surgical X-ray C-arms, cath lab systems, CT scan machines, mammography machines, MRI machines along with MRI coils, PET detectors, ultrasonography systems, X-ray equipment including fixed line frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) products, as well as X-ray panels are being produced domestically. The scheme also supports manufacturing of critical care and anaesthesia-related equipment including anaesthesia kits, anaesthesia workstations, anaesthesia unit ventilators, vaporisers and gas scavengers, along with emergency and intensive care ventilators, high-flow oxygen devices and oxygen concentrators.
Cardiac and emergency care devices such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), bi-phasic defibrillators, defibrillators, heart valves, PTCA balloon catheters and stents are also part of the manufacturing portfolio. In addition, renal care and vascular devices including dialysis machines, haemodialysis catheters and intravascular lithotripsy catheter systems are being produced. The list further includes specialised devices such as neurovascular micro-catheter tubing and orthopaedic implants like hip and knee implants, reflecting the comprehensive coverage of the PLI Scheme across major medical technology segments.
To promote innovation and next-generation product development, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has also launched the Promotion of Research in Pharma-Medtech Sector (PRIP) scheme. This scheme provides financial support for research and development projects undertaken by industry, MSMEs and startups in priority areas, including novel and advanced medical devices. A central objective of PRIP is to strengthen industry–academia collaboration and facilitate continuous innovation in the MedTech ecosystem.
As part of this effort, a Centre of Excellence with advanced research facilities has been established at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad. This initiative focuses on building specialised research capabilities in medical devices, strengthening institutional infrastructure and nurturing a skilled talent pool through close industry–academia linkages. In parallel, industry players and startups are encouraged to collaborate flexibly with leading government academic and research institutions to develop, translate and commercialise intellectual property while enhancing institutional research capacities within the country.
Further reinforcing this collaborative approach, the NIPER Council has constituted a NIPER Academia–Industry Coordination Committee. This institutional mechanism is intended to promote strategic engagement between NIPERs and the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, facilitate innovation-led growth, support skill development and accelerate the translation of academic research into commercially viable industrial applications.
