NEW DELHI: India’s reliance on imported medical devices continues to rise, spanning equipment such as MRI machines, CT scanners, surgical implants and critical care systems, despite ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing.
Imports of medical devices increased 17% in the last financial year to nearly ₹89,000 crore, up from about ₹76,000 crore in the previous year. The surge has prompted domestic manufacturers to seek stronger policy support and expanded access to government procurement.
In response, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has begun reviewing the list of medical devices eligible for purchase through global tenders by government agencies. The exercise could determine whether hospitals continue sourcing certain equipment from overseas suppliers or shift more procurement to Indian manufacturers.
Industry body AiMeD has urged the government to remove from the exemption list those devices that are already being produced domestically. “The revised list is under review by our members. We will provide details of manufacturing capacities to ensure products already made in India are removed from the exemption list,” said Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator at AiMeD.
Manufacturers also point to structural challenges in public procurement. Even after setting up production facilities, many companies remain ineligible for government contracts due to a mandatory three-year market standing requirement.
They argue that high-end medical devices take years to develop and may require regulatory approvals of up to 15 months for high-risk categories, during which firms continue to incur costs without revenue.
AiMeD has called for preferential access to government procurement for emerging domestic players, along with limited tariff protection to support the sector’s growth.
The debate comes as the government continues to push for greater self-reliance in strategic industries. Industry stakeholders say reducing dependence on imports could strengthen supply chains, generate employment and improve resilience in the healthcare system during global disruptions such as pandemics.
