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The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has invited applications from eligible stakeholders to set up common facilities for medical device clusters in the country, under the scheme for Strengthening of Medical Device Industry (SMDI).
The move is part of its efforts to support the domestic medical devices industry in the country and strengthen its operations to reduce import dependence. The DoP has earlier called for applications for the same sub-scheme almost six months back.
In a latest announcement, the DoP has invited applications from eligible applicants for the sub-scheme of Common Facilities for Medical Device Clusters (CFMDC), seeking submission of applications before 6 pm on August 3, 2026.
Proposals may be submitted online, through Udyamimitra portal, set up to provide financial and non-financials services to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The objective of the sub-scheme Common Facilities for Medical Device Clusters is to strengthen existing infrastructure by providing financial assistance to medical device clusters for creating Common Infrastructure Facilities, boosting domestic manufacturing capacity and improving cluster quality and to strengthen availability of more Medical Device Testing Laboratories in order to boost manufacturing of quality medical devices.
In June, this year, the DoP has invited applications for eligible candidates under two other sub-schemes - Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence, and Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme - under the Scheme for SMDI.
The Scheme SMDI is aimed to strengthen the medical device industry by providing support in critical areas, including manufacturing of key components and accessories, skill development, support for clinical studies, development of common infrastructure, and industry promotion.
It includes five sub-schemes - Common facilities for medical devices clusters, Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence, Capacity building and skill development for medical devices, Medical device clinical studies support scheme, and Medical device promotion scheme.
The Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence is aimed to promote domestic production of key components, raw materials and accessories used in manufacturing of medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostic devices, in order to reduce dependence of Indian medical device manufacturers on imported key components and raw materials and increase the depth of India's value chains.
Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme is to support the medical device industry by fostering development of devices supported by clinical evidence and generation of clinical data that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the devices manufactured in India. This is expected to promote manufacturing of quality products with better efficacy and safety. It is also envisaged to enhance credibility of domestic manufacturers to produce high quality products, opening up opportunities for them in markets outside the country.
The Central government has introduced the scheme 'Strengthening of Medical Device Industry' on November 8, 2024, with five sub-schemes including some of the existing ones, with an outlay of Rs. 500 crore and tenure of the Scheme is three years from Financial Year 2024-25 to FY 2026-27.
The other sub-schemes under SMDI include 'Capacity Building and Skill Development in Medical Device Sector', and 'Medical Device Promotion Scheme'.
Capacity Building and Skill Development in Medical Device Sector is with the main objective to fill the gap existing in the education and research in medical devices sector and to ensure quality teaching, training and nurturing excellence in medical technology education for generating critical mass of trained human resource to meet the requirements of rapidly innovating multidisciplinary areas of medical technology and create R&D ecosystem for the sector.
Medical Device Promotion Scheme is to promote medical device industry by bringing industry leaders, academia and policy makers together to share their knowledge and experience for overall development of the sector as well as to facilitate growth and development of the sector through conducting studies, organizing awareness programmes, creation of databases and promotion of industry.
The Scheme has an allocation of Rs. 124.17 crore during 2026-27, as compared to Rs. 360 crore allocated in 2025-26. In the Revised Estimates for 2025-26, the allocation has seen over 50% reduction to Rs 177.09 crore, according to the Union Budget 2026-27.
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