Bharat has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of 32 projects under the Production Linked Incentive or PLI Scheme, as announced by the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry on Friday. These projects, focusing on the domestic production of critical Key Starting Materials or KSMs, Drug Intermediates, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients APIs, have a combined installed capacity of 56,679 metric tons per annum.
The PLI Scheme, with a financial allocation of Rs 6,940 crores, was designed to boost domestic bulk drug production, enhance supply chain resilience, and reduce dependence on imported raw materials.
Spanning from the fiscal year 2022-23 to 2028-29, the scheme has garnered a substantial response with 249 applications, from which 48 projects were selected for manufacturing identified bulk drugs. Of these, 13 projects are being executed by 10 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises or MSMEs.
The completion of these 32 projects represents a pivotal advance, with 16 additional projects still underway. These ongoing initiatives are receiving support to secure regulatory approvals, including environmental clearances and drug manufacturing licenses. State governments are playing a key role in expediting these approvals to ensure timely completion.
A notable achievement under the PLI Scheme is the surpassing of the initial investment target. While the scheme aimed for an investment of Rs 3,938 crores, actual investments have reached Rs 4,024 crores, reflecting strong industry confidence and a commitment to enhancing Bharat’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
The State-wise distribution of the approved projects, detailed in the attached annexure, highlights the widespread geographic impact of these investments across the country. This development aligns with the government’s broader “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, which aims to make India self-reliant in key sectors and reduce import dependency.
The successful completion of these projects is expected to enhance Bharat’s position as a global pharmaceutical hub and ensure the availability of essential drugs for domestic use. The PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals remains a cornerstone of this initiative, offering financial incentives and regulatory support to drive domestic manufacturing and innovation.
