India Pharma Outlook Team | Friday, 07 August 2026
Medical device manufacturing in India is set to enter a new shift as the government strengthens its push to build an export-oriented ecosystem.
The Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Manoj Joshi, emphasized that India must scale up medical device manufacturing to reduce import dependence and compete globally.
India currently imports nearly 70–80 per cent of its medical devices, which highlights a significant gap in domestic production capacity.
Policymakers are now focusing on boosting infrastructure, improving regulatory frameworks, and encouraging investments.
This shift aims to position India as a competitive player in the global medtech market while expanding exports and strengthening the overall healthcare manufacturing ecosystem.
India is actively reshaping its medical device manufacturing strategy by focusing on exports. The government wants domestic manufacturers to compete in global markets instead of serving only local demand.
This proposal was highlighted while addressing the India Medical Device 2026 event organised by industry body FICCI in the capital, where policymakers emphasized viewing the sector from both healthcare and industry perspectives.
"India must move beyond the import substitution approach and build an export-oriented industry that serves global markets. While the Indian medical devices market is valued at around USD 16 billion, the global market exceeds USD 600 billion, offering immense opportunities for Indian manufacturers," said Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals.
India’s growing healthcare demand and cost-effective manufacturing capabilities give it a competitive edge in the global medtech market. This export-driven approach will help India capture a larger share of global trade in medical devices.
India relies heavily on imports for advanced medical devices, with nearly 70–80 per cent of demand met through foreign products. This dependency exposes the healthcare system to supply chain disruptions and pricing pressures.
The government now encourages domestic medical device manufacturing to reduce this reliance. Initiatives such as production-linked incentives (PLI) and medical device parks aim to boost local production capacity. These measures will help India strengthen its manufacturing base and improve self-reliance in critical healthcare equipment.
The government is building a strong policy framework to support medical device manufacturing in India. Authorities are simplifying regulatory processes and improving ease of doing business to attract investments. Dedicated medical device parks provide infrastructure, testing facilities, and logistics support to manufacturers.
These developments lower production costs and enhance efficiency. Industry leaders believe that consistent policy support will accelerate growth and help India emerge as a global manufacturing hub in the medtech sector.
Global supply chain diversification is creating new opportunities for India’s medical device manufacturing sector. Many companies are exploring alternatives to traditional manufacturing hubs, which opens doors for India to attract investments.
India’s cost advantages, skilled workforce, and improving infrastructure make it an attractive destination. The country can leverage this shift to expand exports and strengthen its position in the global medtech market. This trend will also support long-term growth in healthcare manufacturing.
Investment and innovation will play a critical role in scaling medical device manufacturing in India. Companies are focusing on developing high-value and technologically advanced products instead of low-cost assembly. Research and development initiatives are gaining traction as firms aim to compete globally.
Increased collaboration between industry, government, and research institutions will drive innovation. This approach will help India move up the value chain and establish itself as a leader in the global medical devices industry.
